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Sunday, October 18, 2026
The Twenty-first Sunday
after Pentecost
8 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A said service of Holy Communion
in the Chapel
9 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the Crossing in the Church,
with hymns and music
11 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the High Altar in the Church
with music for choir, organ, and congregation
[This service will be Livestreamed]
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Deaths and Funerals
for members of our Parish Family
All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Amidst the ever present hope of Christ’s resurrection, we share information about the deaths and funerals of two faithful and longtime parishioners of Calvary Episcopal Church.
Nancy Washington died peacefully Monday, October 12. We will celebrate Nancy’s life at Calvary on Monday, October 19. The family will receive guests at Calvary beginning at 9:30 a.m., and the funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Please join us in holding Nancy, her daughters, Lara and Linda, and her other family and friends in your prayers.
A service to celebrate the life of Jóna Hammer will be held at Calvary on Tuesday, October 20 at 1 p.m. Please hold Jóna, her husband Carl, their daughter Johanna, and her other family and friends in your prayers.
All are welcome to attend these services.
Rest eternal grant to your servants, Nancy and Jóna, O Lord: And let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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We have begun our annual Stewardship Campaign, which ushers in a season of gratitude and reflection on the many ways God has blessed us. All that we have and all that we are given are gifts from God.
At Calvary, through our worship, outreach, prayer, and community, we answer Christ's call to love and serve others. Over the coming weeks, we will hear stories of faith, gratitude, and transformation from members of our congregation. These stories remind us that financial giving is a spiritual practice rooted in thanksgiving and trust in God.
The ministries of our parish touch lives both within and beyond our church walls, bringing hope, compassion, and Christ's presence to our community. We invite you to prayerfully consider how God is calling you to pledge your gifts in support of our mission.
Together, let us continue to be faithful stewards and renew our commitment to serving Christ and others.
For more information or to pledge online,
please visit https://www.calvarypgh.org/pledge-form
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Now that Jonathon Jensen has retired, and we are between rectors, please know that if you want to talk to a clergyperson, you can always reach out to Cameron, Bonnie-Marie, or Geoffrey with any concerns, problems, or questions. We are here for you.
For urgent pastoral needs at times outside of office hours, you can still reach one of us. To do this, call the church office. After the message begins, press 2, and then press 2 again. Your call will be forwarded to an emergency phone where you can leave a message. Please be sure to leave your name and a callback number in the message. A Calvary clergyperson will return your call.
• The Rev. Cameron J. Soulis, csoulis@calvarypgh.org
• The Rev. Bonnie-Marie Yager-Wiggan, byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org
• The Rev. Geoffrey S. Royce, groyce@calvarypgh.org
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EECM Shelter Dinner
Come cook with us! On the second Saturday of each month, we gather in the Calvary kitchen to prepare a warm dinner for our neighbors staying at the East End Cooperative Ministry’s Shelter. Then we deliver the meal to EECM and serve it.
We need more hands to make this happen, both in the kitchen and at EECM serving the meal. No cooking experience is needed, just a willingness to pitch in. Come on your own or bring a friend or your family.
Next meal: Saturday, November 14, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
To join our volunteer list or learn more, contact Michael Salmon (oriolefish@gmail.com) or Vicki Rispoli (vrispoli@calvarypgh.org).
We hope you’ll join us!
Scan code below to sign up.
| | The 9, 11, and 4 p.m. services on All Saints’ Sunday, November 1, will include the reading of a list of the dead whom we prayerfully commend to God’s loving mercy. This list, sometimes called a Necrology, is compiled both from the parish records of those buried from Calvary in the past year, and by the submission of names by members of the congregation and wider community. If you wish to submit one or more names for inclusion on that list, please send it to Kim Pieratt in the Parish Office (kpieratt@calvarypgh.org) or leave a message at 412.661.0120, ext. 111, by Monday, October 26. (Please include pronunciation, if not self-evident, in emails, and spelling in voice-messages!) | | |
The service of Evening Prayer (prayers at the end of the day’s work) will continue each Thursday in the All Saints Chapel at 6:30 p.m. through November 19. The service is about 20 minutes long and includes Psalms, Scripture, and Prayers for the day (but no sermon or music).
Praying at certain points of the day has its origins in Judaism and was practiced in the early church and monastic traditions, and it is one of the Daily Offices found in our Book of Common Prayer. If you have questions or are interested in helping to lead this service, please contact
Steve Shandor (steve.shandor@gmail.com) or
Michael Salmon (oriolefish@gmail.com).
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Supporting Trinity Cathedral Walk-In Ministry
The Walk-In-Ministry needs women's and men's underwear in all sizes. The drop-off box is located in the reception area.
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Feeding Our Neighbors
Calvary Church continues to contribute non-perishable food to the food pantry at the East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) throughout the year. These donations continue to be important, as the shelves aren’t always full. Particularly needed items this month are: ramen, cold cereal, corn, garbanzo beans, and any type of baking mix. Thank you for continuing to fill the grocery carts in the lobby and for helping our neighbors in East Liberty and the surrounding areas of the East End.
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Sundays at 10 a.m.
Gospel and Breakfast (20s, 30s, and 40s).
Gather for a breakfast snack and discussion about the day's gospel reading. Join us in the Evans Room on Level F.
What Does Wisdom Look Like:
Exploring the Book of Proverbs.
The class will discuss selected verses of this ancient collection, grouped by theme—talk, money, anger, marriage, friendship, etc. These Proverbs, known to Jesus and the Apostles, were originally written to help a person live a life of integrity in the world God has created. We will compare them to various Christian ideals in the New Testament. This class will be taught by Bob Owens (Emeritus Professor of Hebrew Bible, General Theological Seminary) and will meet in McClintic Hall on Level G.
| | Join Us! Children’s Faith Formation classes are offered Sundays, 10:00 -10:50 AM. Visit www.calvaryfaithformation.org to learn more and register. | |
The Nursery is now OPEN and offered on Sundays, 8:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and special events as published. Registration required. Learn more at calvaryfaithformation.org/nursery.
| Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 11 o'clock service on most Sundays. CLW is a special time for children to pray, ask questions, and hear the good news of God's love. CLW is designed for children ages 4–8. Older children are welcome to join as helpers. No registration is needed. After the Opening Prayer, children are invited to gather with our adult leaders and process to the Refectory. They return to their families at the Peace. Children should be able to rejoin their families with minimal assistance. Parents and caregivers are warmly encouraged to participate in CLW with any child who needs a little extra support or isn't yet comfortable attending on their own. | | |
Faith Formation Highlights
Last week, Miss Elsa’s Level I class continued work with practical life activities and then heard Jesus’ words about the Good Shepherd from John 10. The Good Shepherd calls each of his sheep by name and gives his life for them. The children wondered together what makes him so good and who his sheep might be, then worked with the sheepfold material. This very special initial lesson invites the youngest children to enjoy being known, protected and loved by the Good Shepherd.
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The Level IIA class explored light and color as gifts from God. The children learned how the Church marks time through the liturgical calendar, with each season’s color telling part of the story of Jesus. They heard the story of the rainbow as the sign of God’s promise. Then they visited the church to see how the stained glass windows transformed light into color and story. Afterward, students had the option to make colorful glass mosaic coasters. The lesson helped the children learn to “read” the color of the day at the Eucharist and to feel at home in their own place of worship. It also invited them to wonder how God’s light might shine through them.
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The Level IIB class took the same theme a step further, exploring not only what the liturgical colors mean but where they come from. Working with the liturgical calendar, the children discovered the pattern that repeats around Christmas and Easter: prepare, celebrate, grow. They then heard the stories behind the colors in Scripture and history, from purple dye made from sea snails and worn by kings, to the precious colors God’s people offered for their place of worship. They examined stones whose colors match the Church year, then frosted leaf and dove cookies in the liturgical colors and told what each color meant. The lesson helped the children see that the Church still offers its best colors to God.
| The Level III class replanted the Tower Garden, beginning a second year of tending it. After remembering the previous Sunday’s visit from Animal Friends and the story of last year’s garden, the children reflected on creation as God’s gift. Light, water, air, and the life within each seedling are given to us, and caring for them is our part. Each child then helped plant the new seedlings: basil, licorice mint, lavender, dwarf tomatoes, and cayenne peppers. Replanting the garden was a sign of renewal and hope, a reminder that caring for creation begins again each season and that God is at work in growth we cannot yet see. | |
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Calvary Bazaar- Silent Auction News
The Calvary Bazaar Silent Auction committee needs your time, talent and treasure. Donations, including vintage or contemporary collectibles, artwork, tickets to sporting events, concerts, theatre performances, service certificates, week/weekend retreats or gently used furs are just some of the past items. If you have an item that you would like to donate, please contact Chairs, Blythe Burgan Davis (blythe.burgan.davis@ gmail.com) or Mary Lou Southwood (marylou.south@gmail.com) or any of the Silent Committee: Sandy Eckstrom, Louise Kay Woodside, Susan Roth, and Jim Southwood. Our talented Kim Pieratt (kpieratt@calvarypgh.org) will be making beautiful baskets for our table. Current photos of items for 2026 are up on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
The Silent Auction Table will feature
a new operating system as follows:
Bidding Process Ends at 2 p.m..
Bidding ends promptly at 2 p.m. with each winning bidder called by 2:45. If we cannot reach the winner by 2:45 we have the option to offer the item to the next highest bidder. Phone numbers should be clearly written and bidders should be available to talk/pickup items from 2-2:45.
Buy It Now (BIN)
If you want to pay a set price and take the item before the bidding ends you can use the “Buy It Now” option. Give the bid sheet to an Auction worker, who will record the purchase (BIN price) and remove the item from the table. Then take the bid sheet to the cashier, pay the BIN price, and collect your item immediately.
Performance Tickets
If you win a bid for performance, sports, or theatre tickets, you will receive the tickets after payment. Once the tickets are in your possession, you are responsible for keeping them safe.
Service Certificates
If you win a service certificate, we will provide the certificate/donor’s contact information. You and the donor will then arrange the schedule to manage completion of the service together or you redeem the certificate at the store.
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The POD is here! So be prepared to bring in your donations.
Here are some of the tables you can donate to:
Attic Treasures:
• Seeking: Clean, gently used china, knick-knacks, glassware, small appliances, sports equipment, small furniture, and complete children’s games and toys. Please pack carefully and mark boxes "Attic Treasures."
• Volunteers Needed: Set-up (week prior), event day support, and clean-up (Sunday).
• Contacts: Joan Dytman (joandytman@gmail.com) or
Mary Jane Bent (maryjanebent@gmail.com)
Sarris Candy Sale
• Details: We are partnering with Sarris Candy again this year! A portion of all purchases made using our group ID# 10-3596 at SarrisCandiesFundraising.com will directly benefit the Bazaar. View the entire inventory of candy on the Sarris Candies website!!
Nature’s Gifts
• Details: Be sure to stop by to check out the beautiful selection of plant bulbs provided by our team!
• Contacts: Michelle Bender (mbbender@gmail.com) or
Ruthanne Bauerle (rafzta@aol.com)
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If space for jotting down appointments and other reminders is important to you in selecting a calendar, consider The Episcopal Liturgical Appointment Calendar. It also includes Daily Office Readings from the Book Of Common Prayer, reminders on religious and secular holidays, and a spiral-bound format for easy use. Best of all, the 2027 version is available now in the Bookstore.
Looking for an alternative to the mega-sellers for your online book shopping? Look no further than bookshop.org, where a portion of your sale will benefit The Bookstore at Calvary. Just visit bookshop.org, type zip code 15206 in the Bookstore Near Me box, click on Calvary Bookstore, then the red Support this Shop! link. You can use the Search Bar to order any book at all and part of the proceeds from your order will go to the Calvary Bookstore.
| | The Bookstore is open Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can’t visit, call the Bookstore at 412.661.0120, ext. 133 (please leave a message) or email bookstore@calvarypgh.org and we will contact you. | | |
The Contemplative Prayer group meets for silent prayer and reflection, both in person and on Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Evans Room. For more info and a Zoom invitation, contact Lucy Weingartner at lweingartner20@gmail.com.
Please note that Contemplative Prayer will meet by Zoom only (no in person meeting) on November 9 and 16.
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I’m ready to Vote.
How do I Decide on a
Candidate or an Issue?
In searching for information on candidates and issues, what sources can you trust? We’ve heard “facts” called fake news, and been subject to misinformation and disinformation. Here are some ways to evaluate a fact for accuracy, trustworthiness, transparency, and impartiality. (Extracted from a 2024 flyer by the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh. Their source was www.iCivics.org.)
The source: Do you know the author, their motives and goals? When was it written? Do you know this person in real life and respect their opinion?
Bias: Does the information have all the facts? Does it reference other sources?
Labeling versus Informing: Does it use name-calling, exaggeration? Does it create a negative image or anger or fear?
Repetition: Does it repeat unproven statements? Repetition doesn’t make a fact true.
To help manage these questions, start by trying one of these objective and nonpartisan resources for comparing candidates and evaluating ballot questions:
· www.lwvpgh The League of Women Voters has a long history of getting out good information about candidates. Go to the website, and in the menu line, click on 2026 Elections, then select either Ballot Questions or Voters’ Guide.
· www.ballotpedia.org Ballotpedia has an AllSides Media Bias RatingTM of Center, left and right biases, or equally balanced left and right perspectives.
· https://www.vote411.org/pennsylvania VOTE411 is also associated with the League of Women Voters, and gives voters the information they need to participate in every election.
Check out these websites to see if they help you prepare to vote in the November 3 election.
Visit the Vote Faithfully table in the Parish Hall on Sunday to share voting information, and to let us know what you are thinking as the election approaches.
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Wednesday, November 11 –
“The Mellons and Their Mansions"
For a century and a half, the Mellons were the most influential family in the Pittsburgh area; the Mellon name adorns landmarks across the region, and their wealth has funded countless public and private initiatives. But on a personal level, the family often has shunned the limelight. Nolan Grimes' illustrated talk will explore the Mellons' extensive family tree and the numerous mansions they once owned across Pittsburgh's East End, from Highland Park to Shadyside to Squirrel Hill, as well as the grand estates they still occupy in the Ligonier Valley. Mr. Grimes is Carnegie Mellon University's Facilities Archives and GIS Manager.
Wednesday, December 2 –
“Pittsburgh Parlor Song”
All talks are at 7 p.m. and free to the public. Join us in the Parish Hall. Use Marchand Street entrance.
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Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous; CLASP: Calvary Lincoln After school Program;
ELL: English Language Learners; FLMH: Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti
Friday October 16, 2026
Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops and
Martyrs, 1555; Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of
Canterbury, 1556
6:30 p.m. 20s, 30s, 40s Girls’ Craft Night
Saturday October 17, 2026
Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr, c. 115
Sunday October 18, 2026
The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
9:15 a.m. Children’s Music
10:00 a.m. Children/Youth Formation
10:00 a.m. Gospel and Breakfast (GAB)
10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study
10:00 a.m. Choir Warm-up
11:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy
12:15 p.m. Coffee Hour
Monday October 19, 2026
Saint Luke the Evangelist
(Transferred from October 18)
9:30 a.m. Washington Family Visitation
11:00 a.m. Nancy Washington Funeral
5:30 p.m. Bookstore Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer
Tuesday October 20, 2026
Cornelius the Centurion
11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
1:00 p.m. Jona Hammer Funeral
6:30 p.m. Finance Committee
7:00 p.m. AA Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spiritual Reflection
Wednesday October 21, 2026
10:00 a.m. ELL Conversation Class
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
3:00 p.m. Toddler Playgroup
6:00 p.m. Interlude Group
Thursday October 22, 2026
6:30 p.m. Mahjong
6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. Prayer and Scripture
Friday October 23, 2026
Saint James of Jerusalem, Brother of
Our Lord Jesus Christ
Saturday October 24, 2026
7:00 a.m. Blessed Be Educators Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Funeral Consumers Alliance
10:00 a.m. Chalice Bearers Meeting
Sunday October 25, 2026
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
9:15 a.m. Children’s Music
10:00 a.m. Children/Youth Formation
10:00 a.m. Gospel and Breakfast (GAB)
10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study
10:00 a.m. Calvary Creation Care
10:00 a.m. Choir Warm-up
11:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy
12:15 p.m. Coffee Hour
12:30 p.m. Chalice Bearers Meeting
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An archive of the past months weekly email blasts
may be viewed on the Calvary website at
www.calvarypgh.org
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