We at Calvary honor our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” We celebrate the wonderful diversity of the human family, and strive to include a place for everyone at God’s table. Whether you’re young or old, rich or poor; married, partnered, or single; housed or homeless; gay, straight, trans, or questioning; native, documented, or undocumented…whoever you are (and just as you are), there is a place for you here.

Adult Forum at 9:30 AM in the

Fireside Room

Drop in and share your insights, thoughts and questions.


Illumination, fellowship & fresh brewed coffee!

In our Parish Community we pray for Anthony Thomas, Marlene Bumgarner, Haley Seifert, Cindy Hershberger, John Morris, Eric Martin, Marv Peterson, Al Reetz, and Isabella Salido. We pray for the repose of the souls of Shirely Mooers, Gayle Larson, Dolly Parton, and all those who recently passed away. We also pray for Katie Knapp who is a Postulant for Holy Orders.

In our Deanery we pray for our deanery partner church, All Saints’ Carmel.

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for all who labor that all shall earn a living wage and be treated with honor and respect.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria.

FLOWER AND CANDLE DEDICATIONS

If you would like a way to honor your loved ones or to mark a special occasion, consider a dedication for altar flowers or the sanctuary candle. A donation of $30 will dedicate the altar flowers, and a donation of $10 will dedicate the sanctuary candle and the votive candles.

To make a dedication please use the "Flowers" envelope available in the narthex and in the pew racks, indicating whether your donation is for the flowers or the candle, and include the specific date you'd like your dedication to appear in the Sunday bulletin.

CALVARY CARES

At Calvary, we believe in the power of prayer and the strength of community. You are invited to submit the names of family members

and loved ones (with their permission) for inclusion on our Prayer List by emailing office@calvarysantacruz.org.

If you or someone in your family is in need of pastoral or parish care, please reach out to Rev. B Simon Dinglasan, Jr. at 831-205-3503

or via email at rector@calvarysantacruz.org.

We are here for you.

SAVE ON TAXES WHILE SUPPORTING CALVARY

If you have a traditional IRA, the IRS requires you to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) at age 73. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and can sometimes push you into a higher tax bracket.

There’s a simple way to turn this requirement into a benefit for both you and the church.

Through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), you can direct your RMD to a qualified nonprofit like Calvary Episcopal Church. When done correctly, this donation is excluded from your taxable income, which may help lower your overall tax burden.

Here’s how it can help:

• Reduce your taxable income by donating directly from your IRA

• Potentially stay in a lower tax bracket

• Give up to $108,000 per year (or $216,000 for couples)

• Support the mission and ministry of Calvary

Important: The funds must be transferred directly from your IRA to the church in order to qualify. Be sure to consult your financial advisor to arrange the proper transfer.

Several Calvary parishioners are already using this approach and have found it to be a meaningful and tax-wise way to give.

It’s a practical way to support the church while making the most of your required distributions.

FOOD ASSISTANCE DONATION DRIVE

Calvary Church is responding to the Bishop’s Call to Action: Food Assistance in the Diocese. The food you have donated is going to the Food Pantry at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Scott’s Valley. They express their sincere appreciation each time the donations are delivered and send their gratitude to all!

Please bring your donations of shelf-stable foods to church on Sunday mornings. Please ensure the donated items have not expired or been damaged. Canned items that are “easy open” with pull-top lids are helpful for those who may not have access to a can opener.

Specific items most needed by Food Banks include:

Canned fish, Canned vegetables, Canned stew, Canned fruit, Canned soup, Canned beans, Pasta, Rice, Peanut Butter. Packaged healthy snacks are also needed.

The bins are in the Narthex as you enter the church, and the Parish Hall.

Thank you for your generosity!

Weekly Midweek Eucharist

LECTIO DIVINA

Join us for Lectio Divina on WEDNESDAYS at 9:00 AM, either in person at the church or via Zoom (link below). All are welcome to participate in this time of prayerful reflection and scripture.

Note that Lectio Divina is not a traditional bible study but rather a devotional practice of deepening our connection with the Gospel text for the following Sunday through contemplative reading and sharing.

FIRST FRIDAY AT CALVARY



The Parish Hall now participates in downtown Santa Cruz’s First Friday Art Walks.



If you are an artist and would like to be considered for future exhibits, contact Juli Robbins through the office with the number of pieces you would like to show. Space is limited.

HOLY CROSS DAY VESPERS



On Sunday, September 13, we will celebrate the Eve of Holy Cross Day,

a special festival for which our city is named.



Once again, we will gather with our friends from Holy Cross Church for a joint Vespers service at 4:30 p.m. here at Calvary.

We are pleased to welcome their pastor, Fr. Manny; parish liturgist and music director, Sr. Barbara Long; and their choir, who will join us for this beautiful service of prayer and song. Please join us for this special celebration and an opportunity for fellowship with our brothers and sisters from Holy Cross Church. All are warmly welcome!

TOWN HALL MEETING 

Join us for our parish Town Hall Meeting today, September 6, from 12:00–1:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Come together with fellow parishioners to hear important updates, share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with our parish community. We hope to see you there!

PRE-CONVENTION DEANERY MEETING 

Our elected delegates are invited to the Pre-Convention Deanery Meeting on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, held in person at Church of the Good Shepherd, 301 Corral de Tierra Road, Salinas.

Please note that this will be a potluck meeting, so delegates are encouraged to bring a dish to share.

WEEKLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP 

If you are experiencing grief or loss, you are warmly invited to join our Weekly Grief Support Group, facilitated by Carol Prough, beginning Wednesday, September 16. The group meets every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 PM in the Fireside Room.

All are welcome to find support, comfort, and community in a caring and confidential space.

FINAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLESSING 🎓

Join us on Sunday, September 27 for our Final Back-to-School Blessing! We’ll be offering a special blessing for UCSC students, faculty, and staff as they begin a new academic year.

And everyone is welcome! If you’re starting a new school year—at any age or stage—come receive a blessing for the year ahead.

FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS &

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with us on Sunday, October 4! Bring your beloved animal companions to any of our services that morning for a special blessing.

Animals should be brought in a secure carrier, as needed. If your companion can’t join us in person, you’re warmly invited to bring a photograph instead.

CRAFT NIGHT & GAME NIGHT

Our summer hiatus is over! Join us in the Parish Hall from 6:00–8:00 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for Creative Arts Night and the 4th Tuesday for Game Night with Juli. September–October projects celebrate the Season of Creation with nature-inspired crafts. Bring a project, share a snack, and enjoy fellowship!

SNACKS OUTREACH

The Boys and Girls Club and Calvary Preschool are actively open and serving the children of our community.

They are our neighbors and appreciate our outreach efforts to provide pre-packaged snacks for children. Please continue this longstanding tradition. You may deliver them in person or leave them in the narthex on Sunday morning.

If you have questions, email Alice Lopez at enna.lopez@yahoo.com.

SOCKS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED (SPIN)

Having a pair of clean dry socks when you live outdoors is a good thing. Over the years Calvary has contributed socks to SPIN, the fourth ministry of the Association of Faith Communities. Along with other Santa Cruz congregations over 60,000 pairs of socks have been distributed.

It’s simple: buy some socks, put them in the basket in the Narthex on Sunday morning and make somebody’s feet happy.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT

CALVARY’S COMMUNITY PRESENCE

Rev. Simon is forming a Community Presence Committee to help promote events at Calvary in a coordinated and strategic way. If you have broad community connections, marketing or graphic design skills, or a passion for helping Calvary grow as a centrally located

“community cultural center,” we’d love to hear from you!

We’re also looking for volunteers to help livestream our worship services for members who are homebound, hospitalized, or unable to attend in person. If you’re interested, please reach out to Rev. Simon or Alex Johnson.

This is a wonderful way to share your talents, strengthen our community, and make a meaningful impact!



☕ COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED ☕

We’re looking for volunteers to host Coffee Hour and help keep this beloved Sunday tradition going. Hosting is simple and a wonderful way to serve and connect with our church community.

If you’re interested, please call or email Sandy Goodman at 831-251-4030 or sansanag95062@gmail.com

THINKING ABOUT JOINING CALVARY? WE'RE HERE TO HELP!

Interested in making Calvary your spiritual home? We're happy to assist you with transferring your membership.

Please contact Carlos, our Parish Administrator, for guidance.

The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

📞 Call us at 831-423-8787

📧 Or email: officemanager@calvarysantacruz.org



We’re glad you’re here—and we’re ready to walk with you on this journey!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO NOTE:

Friday, September 4

First Friday

Parish Hall

5:00 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, September 6

Town Hall Meeting

Parish Hall

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Tuesday, September 8

Creative Arts Night & Potluck

Parish Hall

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, September 13

Vespers for Eve of Holy Cross Day

Calvary Episcopal Church

4:30 PM

Wednesdays beginning September 16

Grief Support Group

Fireside Room

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 26

One Day Parish Walking Retreat

Parish Hall

9:00 AM

Sunday, September 27

Back-to-School Blessing

for UCSC students, faculty and staff,

and ANYONE beginning the school year

Calvary Episcopal Church

10:30 AM

Sunday, October 4

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with Blessing of the Animals

Calvary Episcopal Church

10:30 AM

Ministry Interest? Start Here!

Click red name for e-mail



Adult Education, Cathy Watson

Book Club, Dana Bagshaw

Archives/History, Carol Walker

Building, Grounds, Rentals, Margo Fisher

Calvary Cares, Sonja Reetz

Coffee Hour, Sandy Goodman

Communication/REALM, Treasurer, Cathy Watson

Parish Life, Juli Robbins

Creation Care, Dana Bagshaw

Labyrinth, Martha Dexter

Social Justice/COPA, Al Reetz

Stewardship, Alice Lopez

This Month at Calvary, Carlos Serna

Worship, Elizabeth Chandler

Read the Latest Issue!

Real Episcopal is emailed out every two weeks. Inside you’ll find news about our diocese, the Episcopal Church, unique parish programs, photos, diocesan event & conference announcements, grant opportunities, and messages from Bishop Lucinda.

Monday - Friday

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The Rev. B. Simon Dinglasan, Jr.

(pronouns: they/them)

Email

Senior Warden

Alice Lopez

Email

Junior Warden

Margo Fisher

Email

Calvary Vestry:



Alice Lopez (Sr. Warden), Margo Fisher (Jr. Warden), Jane Martin (Clerk),

Elizabeth Chandler, Colin Bowser, Tony Nickel, Patricia Messer, and Juli Robbins.