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

Fireside Room

The First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32;

Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Drop in and share your insights, thoughts and questions.

Illumination, fellowship & freshly brewed coffee!

In our Parish Community we pray for Eric Martin, Marv Peterson, Al Reetz, Rita and Murray Johnson (parents of Alex Johnson), Shirley Mooers, Isabella & Daniella Salido, and the family of Jenna in their grieving. We also pray for the repose of the soul of Alex Pretti, and for all those who recently passed away. We pray also for Katie Knapp who is beginning a journey of discernment.

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

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for all who support our worship: the Altar Guild, acolytes, ushers, lectors, greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, and Eucharistic Visitors.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Church of Ireland.

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.

The altar flowers, sanctuary candle, and votive candles are offered this week to the glory of God and are dedicated by Simon in grateful appreciation for Seana Graham, Cathy Watson, and the whole Adult Education Committee, with thanks for your faithful service and commitment to our parish community.

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.

In prayerful response to the Bishop's Call to Action, the Calvary Cares Team asks that you please bring donations of shelf-stable foods to church on Sunday mornings and leave them in the appropriate bin in the narthex. These donations will go to food pantries in our Diocese of El Camino Real.

Please ensure the donated items have not expired or been damaged. Canned items that are "easy open" with pull-top lids are particularly helpful for those who may not have access to a can opener.

THANK YOU for your generosity!

Weekly Midweek Eucharist

LECTIO DIVINA

Join us for Lectio Divina every WEDNESDAY 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.



FROM THE RECTOR’S LAPTOP

Beloveds,

We’ve arrived at the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is now behind us as we make the transition from Epiphany – a season of seeking and amplifying God’s light of redeeming love that is always waiting to be birthed anew – to Lent – a season where we are asked to look more deeply within to discover the ways we might be getting in the way of that movement of birthing God’s light in our own lives. As we dust off the ashes of yesterday, may we also start the work of “cleaning house” to see more clearly what we can do to cooperate with God in turning the dust of the world into a blessing.

Peace and all good,

Simon+

BLESSING THE DUST – by Jan Richardson

All those days

you felt like dust,

like dirt,

as if all you had to do

was turn your face

toward the wind

and be scattered

to the four corners

or swept away

by the smallest breath

as insubstantial—

did you not know

what the Holy One

can do with dust?

This is the day

we freely say

we are scorched.

This is the hour

we are marked

by what has made it

through the burning.

This is the moment

we ask for the blessing

that lives within

the ancient ashes,

that makes its home

inside the soil of

this sacred earth.

So let us be marked

not for sorrow.

And let us be marked

not for shame.

Let us be marked

not for false humility

or for thinking

we are less

than we are

but for claiming

what God can do

within the dust,

within the dirt,

within the stuff

of which the world

is made

and the stars that blaze

in our bones

and the galaxies that spiral

inside the smudge

we bear.

(from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons)

SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL

We are delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Britta Schwarz to Calvary Episcopal Church as part of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival.

On Friday, February 21 at 7:00 PM, she will present an evening of Baroque songs and arias with Artistic Director Jörg Reddin.

Ms. Schwarz will also participate in additional festival events:

• Master Class – February 22
• SCBF Competition Jury – February 27
• Festival Concert – March 7

We are grateful to host this beautiful collaboration and invite you to join us for the concert.

For full details and tickets, visit:

www.scbaroque.org

UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS

Our Organist, Kate Saphir Alm, will be away for the month of February. We are delighted to announce that, in her absence, Jörg Fritz Reddin will be our Organist. Jörg is the Artistic Director of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival. He is also the Organist and Music Director at Bachkirche in Arnstadt, Germany, a church where Johann Sebastian Bach himself played in the early 1700s. Jörg also performs extensively as a choral conductor and baritone soloist. This will be an exciting time for Calvary; we are grateful to Kate for arranging it.

A FEBRUARY UPDATE FROM KATE



Dear Calvary family, 

I wanted to let you know that I have a month-long rest, retreat, rejuvenation planned for February. Part of that means releasing my organ duties at Calvary, and after enjoying Jörg Reddin's artistry last year both at the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival as well as in my own piano studio, and noticing his affinity for Calvary and our congregation, I realised that in him I had an amazing 'substitute'. I am absolutely delighted to leave you in Jörgs world class and extremely heartfelt leadership. 

I look forward to soaking up his music and worshipping with you from the pews when I am able. I'll be back in service on March 8. 

~Kate

📚 BOOK RELEASE EVENT – MARCH 21ST!

Join us for a reading and signing of Confessions of a Bicycle-Powered Landscaper by Ken Foster, founder of Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping, along with refreshments!

When: March 21st, 1 – 4 PM

Ken Foster and Terra Nova, founded in 1988, specialize in creating beautiful, sustainable living systems for public and private spaces. With expertise in sustainability, organics, permaculture, drought tolerance, and native plants, Terra Nova also helps us maintain our labyrinth and church gardens.

For more info, click here!

Or call 📞 831-425-3514

ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING IN LENT

Beginning Sunday, February 22, Rev. Simon will facilitate an exploration of different Theories of Atonement during the Adult Forum.

This five-week series will meet on the first five Sundays of Lent. Join the conversation at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Thank you to the parishioners of Calvary Church for your wonderful response to the Pledge Campaign! We have now received 44 pledges totaling $155,024, including at least nine new pledges.

We celebrate this growth and deeply appreciate everyone committed to supporting our Calvary community.

A special thanks to Rev. Simon for creating so many opportunities for us to gather together.

We will celebrate our gratitude at a Founder’s Day picnic in June.

With thanks,

The Stewardship Committee: Elizabeth Chandler, Alice Lopez, Al Reetz, Cathy Watson

CALVARY BOOK CLUB

Love a good book and great conversation? Join our diverse group of readers as we explore stories that broaden our understanding of people and cultures—both real and imagined.

We meet on the 3rd Friday of each month, and always welcome new readers.

February 20, 3:00, the Fireside room at the south end of Parish Hall 

Poetry Read - We each bring a poem or two to share. Suggested by Al Reetz.

March 20, 3:00, Charmion Burn's home, 3231 Sylvaner Circle, SC, 95062

The Dictionary of Lost Words – Pip Williams (2020) Set during the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, a girl gathers discarded words describing women’s lives—an ode to language, feminism, and lost voices. From St. Phillip's reading list.

April 17, 3:00, the Fireside room at the south end of Parish Hall

Longitude -- Dava Sobel  The story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his Time. Recommended by Jane Martin.

May15, 3:00, Charmion Burn's home, 3231 Sylvaner Circle, SC, 95062

Falling Upward, A spirituality for the Two Halves of Life - Richard Rohr. 

Recommended by Al Reetz and Simon Dinglasan.  

June 19, 3:00, the Fireside room at the south end of Parish Hall

My Invented Country, A Memoir - Isabel Allende, heart-felt, charming.

Recommended by Liberty Lana. 

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.

INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

A new group is forming at Calvary!

Join certified meditation teacher Geoff Smith, brother of Chris Perrin, for this introductory series of 4 sessions on mindfulness meditation. We will gather on Thursdays in February in the Fireside Room from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

No prior experience in meditation is required. Just come with an open heart.

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation 

Geoff Smith  

A Santa Cruz resident for most of his life, Geoff has been an entrepreneur, musician, IT manager at UCSC and a devoted husband and father to two daughters. Meditation and the study of wisdom traditions have been a constant thread through Geoff’s entire life. To this end, Geoff engaged in and completed certification to teach mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is secular in nature, benefiting practitioners of all ages, in all walks of life. When approached by Reverend Simon to lead a Mindfulness Meditation class at Calvary Episcopal Church, Geoff eagerly accepted and will be sharing the practice beginning in February of 2026.

☕ 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:

February 20th

Calvary Book Club

3:00 PM in the Fireside Room

February 21st

Baroque Songs & Arias

(Part of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival)

7:00 PM in the Church

February 23rd

Monthly Craft Night & Potluck

5:00 - 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall

February 28th

Diocesan Eucharistic Minister/Eucharistic Visitor Training

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EM Training) in the Church

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EV Training) in the Church & Parish Hall

please bring a packed lunch with you

Ministry Interest? Start Here!

Click red name for e-mail



Adult Education, Seana Graham

Book Club, Dana Bagshaw

Archives/History, Carol Walker

Building, Grounds, Rentals, Chris Perrin

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 Week 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.