E-mail to a FriendOperation Christmas Child
Community Drop-off Center
November 14–21
Bring your shoebox to Calvary!
Serve at Calvary
At Calvary, we have unique opportunities to reach out with love to others during the holidays!
Our worship services, Christmas concerts, and holiday ministries and outreaches are special ways to share the Gospel with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors throughout our community. Who will you invite? How will you serve?
Consider the opportunities below, and make a commitment to pray, invite, and serve!
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Good News. Great Joy! A small shoebox can teach a child about the love of God, lead them to faith in Christ, inspire pastors, and plant new churches. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out is eternal. You can shine the light of the Gospel around the world through the power of a simple gift!
Operation Christmas Child delivers gifts to children across the globe — reaching those suffering from natural disasters, disease, war, terrorism, poverty, and famine. Each box contains gifts, toys, and hygiene items, plus a Gospel storybook in the child’s own language.Shoeboxes are available at tables in the Galleria beginning Sunday, October 16.
- How to Pack a Shoebox
Fill a box with gifts for a boy or girl, ages 2–14. Get updated tips on what to pack (and what NOT to pack) in your shoebox. Then, drop off filled and labeled boxes on the racks in the Galleria.
TRADITIONAL BOX INSTRUCTIONS
- Pack a Shoebox ONLINE
For $25, you can pack and send a shoebox customized for a boy or girl with toys and gifts you select. Check it out!
Calvary is a Community Drop-off Center
During National Collection Week, November 14–21, Calvary will serve as a shoebox drop-off location for our community. Drop off boxes under the portico at the main entrance.Drop-Off Hours
Mon–Fri: 11:00–3:00 PM
Sat & Sun: 2:00–4:00 PM
Calvary Night at OCC
Tuesday, November 29, 5:45–10:00 PM“Calvary Night” at the OCC Distribution Center is an annual serving opportunity for adults and teens age 13+. Get details and REGISTER HERE.
Did you know that Samaritan’s Purse partnered with Calvary to fill and deliver the very first shoeboxes to children in Bosnia in 1993? What a privilege to see how the Lord has grown the ministry and used it to share the Gospel with millions of children! Read the full article on the Samaritan’s Purse website.
Contact: Sharyn Thackston, 704.577.6487, sthackston@carolina.rr.com & Vince Eaton, 704.341.5322, veaton@calvarychurch.com
- How to Pack a Shoebox
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Prison Ministry Outreach
Holiday Dinner & Chapel Service
Prep food or serve inmates
Register now!Each year Calvary Prison Ministry shares the love of Christ during the holiday season by serving dinner and providing chapel services at area prisons. These special occasions allow us to provide the inmates with a festive meal, encouragement, and a Gospel-centered message of hope. This year we will minister at Kershaw Correctional Institution in South Carolina.
We need 50 volunteers (age 18+) to help pack individual boxes of holiday meals at Calvary to be delivered and distributed at the prison. Pre-approved men & women may share testimonies, serve, and pray with prison inmates.
All volunteers who serve inside the prison must be pre-approved at least three weeks before the day of the event and attend orientation!- Ministry at Kershaw: Friday, December 16
- Food Packing Volunteers — 8:00–10:00 AM, Room 300
- Prison Volunteers — 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (arrive at Calvary no later than 9:00 AM)
Prison Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, November 30
6:00–7:30 PM, Conference Room AAll volunteers who wish to serve inside the prison must complete orientation, even if they have served inside prisons before.
To volunteer, please register below. You may choose to serve only as a food packer or only at the prison — or do both.
Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com
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Calvary Night at OCC
Shoebox Distribution Center
Tuesday, November 29
Register now!Tuesday, November 29, 5:45–10:00 PMCalvary Night at the OCC Distribution Center is an annual serving opportunity for adults and teens ages 13+. In the Charlotte OCC Distribution Center, we’ll sort, inspect, and prepare shoeboxes for their journey around the world. It’s a great evening of service and fellowship!Space is available for 130 people, so please register early!Arrive PROMPTLY at 5:45 PM. Participants must complete a release form for the OCC Center. Wear warm clothing and comfortable close-toed shoes.
Dinner options: Bring your own meal or purchase pizza or Chick-fil-A and eat in the snack bar area BEFORE the 5:45 PM shift begins.Please register below to participate!
OCC Distribution Center is located at:
7100 Forest Pointe Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
704.583.1463
Calvary OCC Project Coordinator: Sharyn Thackston, 704.577.6487, sthackston@carolina.rr.com+ 
Serve at Luke 14 Banquets
December 10 & 13
Be a host, greeter, or bring a gift- Contribute Gifts: Make someone's day by preparing a gift just for them!
- Greeters: Say hello to folks coming in!
- Table Hosts: Have dinner with some new friends!
Luke 14 Gifts
Calvary provides a gift for every guest and caregiver who attends our Luke 14 Banquets for the Special Needs community. This year, we need about 700 gifts!Please bring a NEW gift ($20 retail value) in a decorative gift bag to the collection racks along the Galleria concourses by Sunday, December 4. Staple a card onto the gift bag noting the intended recipient’s AGE & GENDER. No used items, please!
Gifts for adults are needed most — $20 gift cards to restaurants, Target, or Walmart are always appreciated.
Get Luke 14 gift suggestions HERE.
Greeters, Table Hosts, & Servers
Volunteer as a greeter, table host, or work with Food Service at a Luke 14 event.Pre-Event Volunteer Training
Saturday, December 10 at 4:00 PM, Crown Room
Tuesday, December 13 at 10:00 AM, Crown Room
Contact: Vince Eaton, 704.341.5322, veaton@calvarychurch.com
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Holiday Nursery Volunteers
Thanksgiving & Christmas services
Register now to serve!Will you encourage our guests and young Calvary families by providing care for children (infants through age 3) during any of our holiday worship services?
If you have a heart for little ones and a desire to serve the Lord, please sign up. One-time and first-time volunteers are welcome! A background check is required for ages 18+.
The Nursery Coordinator will contact you with details after you register.
- Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the service time.
Volunteer at the Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 20 | 6:00 PM
Thank you! This need has been met.
Volunteer at the Advent Organ Concert
Sunday, December 4 | 6:00 PM
Please register by November 28
Volunteer at the PM Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 11 | 6:00 PM
Please register by December 5
Volunteer at Candlelight Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24
Please register by December 19Register 3:00 PM Service
Register 5:00 PM Service
Questions? Contact: Jane Jewell, Nursery Coordinator, 704.341.5399, jjewell@calvarychurch.com
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Food Service & Hospitality
Holiday Serving Opportunities
Have a heart for hospitality? As we approach the busy holiday season, Calvary Food Service is looking for additional table setters, buffet attendants, servers, preparation helpers, and dishwashers to support our many special ministry events.
Day and evening opportunities are available. We are flexible and will work with your schedule.
We'd love to have you join our team! Please let us know when you'd like to serve.
- Thanksgiving Service (11/20) — Galleria reception
- Christmas Tea (12/3) — Serving opportunity for men
- Advent Organ Concert & Tree Lighting (12/4) — Galleria reception
- Luke 14 Banquet (12/10) — plated meal
- International Reception (12/11) — dessert buffet
- Luke 14 Luncheon (12/13) — plated meal
Contact: Calvary Food Service, 704.887.3663, foodservice@calvarychurch.com
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Christmas Tea Servers
Saturday, December 3
Register now to serve!Calvary Women's Ministry annual Christmas Tea will be held on Saturday, December 3, in the Crown Room.We need 60 gentlemen to help serve tea and provide hospitality to guests during the event.Volunteers arrive at 11:00 AM, and you'll be done by 4:00 PM. Lunch will be provided! The attire is a white shirt and black slacks. Thank you for making this a special outreach for the women of Calvary!To volunteer, please register below:
Contact: Cathy Golden, 704.341.5339, foodservice@calvarychurch.com
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Christmas Ushers & Greeters
Help welcome our guestsShare a warm welcome with our guests this holiday season!
We need additional ushers and greeters to assist with seating, receive the offering, help with candles at the Christmas Eve service, and provide information about Calvary. We also have opportunities to help with traffic and guests in the parking lots.
Let us know if you are willing to volunteer at any of these services:
Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 11 | 6:00 PM
Candlelight Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24 | 3:00, 5:00 & 700 PM — we need 100+ especially at 3 & 5 PMPlease plan to arrive 45 minutes before the service time.
- To serve as an Usher, contact Malcolm Weeks at 704.607.5765 or malcolm.weeks58@gmail.com.
- To serve as a Greeter, contact Natasha Komlev at 714.826.5574 or natk614@gmail.com.
- To serve as a Parking Attendant, contact Chris Eddings at 704.651.3614 or christophereddings@gmail.com.
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International Reception
December 11 after the PM concert
Serve as an event hostSunday, December 11
7:30–9:30 PM, Crown RoomWill you share the love of Christ by inviting international neighbors and friends to our Christmas Concert, "At the Manger," on Sunday, December 11, at 6:00 PM and the International Dessert Reception afterward in the Crown Room?
Will you serve as a Calvary host?
Help make our guests feel welcome and answer questions about our church! A brief training is required:- Sunday, December 4
12:30–1:30 PM, Room 232
Please register before December 2:
Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com
- Sunday, December 4
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ESL Volunteers
Teachers & Assistants Needed
for Winter & Spring SemestersInterested in serving in our English as a Second Language ministry?
We need additional teachers and assistants to provide a welcoming and high-quality ESL program to international students of all backgrounds who are interested in developing their English skills. Teachers must be Calvary members.
Winter & Spring Classes will meet on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 AM–Noon, from January through May.
We invite you to join our ESL volunteer team! Please contact Vince Eaton with questions or to get involved.
- Get more information about Calvary's ESL classes HERE.
Contact: Vince Eaton, 704.341.5322, veaton@calvarychurch.com
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Special Needs Volunteers
Many opportunities!Calvary has many children, students, and young adults with special needs who participate in our growing ministry.
Will you help by serving as a Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Friend/Buddy, or Parent Partner on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings?
- We need new volunteers to serve on a monthly rotation on Sundays at 9:30–11:10 AM or 11:15–Noon on the 1st & 3rd Sundays or 2nd & 4th Sundays. A background check is required for those ages 18+.
- Looking for "buddies" to assist two energetic students who need special attention in Awana Sparks on Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 PM.
- We also have opportunities for volunteers to serve at Special Needs Ministry events throughout the year, including greeters and hosts for the Luke 14 Banquet.
Please contact us to get involved!
Contact: Dawn Clark, Special Needs Coordinator, 704.341.5413, dclark@calvarychurch.com
+ Auto Repair Ministry
Join our team!The Automotive Repair Ministry (ARM) exists to assist with auto repairs and maintenance primarily for Calvary members and attendees who have financial needs due to limited or fixed income. Volunteers provide these services so that “they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The team of volunteers consists of committed volunteers who have automotive repair experience and a desire to share their skills with the Calvary community.
If you are a professional mechanic or a skilled DIYer with experience repairing and maintaining automobiles, please reach out and help us in this ministry!
Contact: Pastor Nathaniel Pearce, 704.341.5424, npearce@calvarychurch.com or Debbie Bordwine, 704.341.5328, dbordwine@calvarychurch.com
+ Children's Bible Clubs Volunteers
Awana, Gopher Buddies, C-Track
Join our Wednesday team!Our Children's Bible Clubs need many volunteers to join our ranks! Awana, Gopher Buddies, and C-Track meet on Wednesday evenings, 6:30–8:00 PM, throughout the school year.
If you love the Lord Jesus and desire to help kids develop life-long Bible knowledge, memorize Scripture verses, and learn to apply God's truth to their lives, please consider becoming part of our team.
There are volunteer opportunities to serve as leaders or mentors for C-Track, T&T, Sparks, and Gopher Buddies. We also need Activity & Game leaders, Tech Team, and Student Leaders-in-Training for Gopher Buddies and Sparks. Plus, we need Substitutes to fill in where needed. You may choose your area of service or club when you register below.
To join our team, volunteers must have attended Calvary for at least six months. Background checks are required for ages 18+. Teens may serve as a Leader in Training (LIT) while participating in C-Track.
Contact: Jennifer Groseclose, 704.341.5349, jgroseclose@calvarychurch.com
Sue Ridge, 704.887.3695, sridge@calvarychurch.com+ Children's Ministry Volunteers
Nursery, Preschool, & GradeschoolWe always need new volunteers to find their place of service with us!
If you love the Lord Jesus and love to teach children about Him and His Word, we invite you to partner with us to reach the next generation with the Gospel.
There are ongoing volunteer opportunities in the Nursery (Sunday AM/PM & Wednesday PM), Preschool, Kid Zone, Zone 345, the Family Welcome Desk, and Special Needs. Complete the registration below to learn more about specific opportunities and select your area of interest.
To join our team, volunteers must have attended Calvary for at least six months, and all teachers must be Calvary members. Background checks are required for ages 18+.
Contact: Sue Ridge, 704.887.3695, sridge@calvarychurch.com
+ Coach with CHAMP Sports
Training Provided
Interested in being a CHAMP coach? We offer seasonal youth leagues for soccer (ages 3–18), flag football (6–18), T-ball (5-6), baseball (7–8), and basketball (ages 5–18).Just three hours a week can make a huge impact on the lives of our CHAMP kids and families! No prior coaching experience is necessary, and training is provided!
Visit the CHAMP website at champsportsinfo.com for full details.
Contact: Kelly Lamb, 704.887.3689, klamb@calvarychurch.com
+ Good News Clubs
Help start after-school clubs!Calvary currently partners with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) to lead 10+ after-school Good News Clubs in local public elementary schools. These fun, fast-paced Bible studies introduce God's Word and the Gospel to kids in our community.
We want to launch NEW CLUBS this fall! So we'll need additional volunteers to serve in a variety of roles. As a volunteer, you will build relationships with the children, pray for them, help teach the Bible, and share the Gospel.
- If you can commit at least 1.5 hours per week for six weeks during the school year, we need your help as a Bible teacher, assistant, or administrative helper. Training is provided.
- Please contact us to learn more about how you can make an eternal difference in a child's life!
Contacts: Judy Myers, 704.953.7867, judithbmyers@aol.com or Chuck Robinson, chuck.calvary.gnc@gmail.com, or & Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com
+ Hearts & Hammers
Lend a hand!Men and women, do you have general household repair skills and a heart to serve?
Calvary Hearts & Hammers teams will serve one Saturday morning each month, tackling basic household repairs and home maintenance for those in our congregation who need a helping hand on an ongoing basis.Please contact us about joining a Hearts & Hammers team.
Contacts: Debbie Bordwine, 704.341.5328, dbordwine@calvarychurch.com & Pastor Nathaniel Pearce, 704.341.5424, npearce@calvarychurch.com
+ Martha Ministry
Help provide a meal at Calvary
for bereaved families
Do you have a heart for serving those who are grieving?
Our Martha Ministry team supports Calvary families by providing a meal at the church before or after the funeral of a family member. Volunteers are assigned to a team and serve three or four times per year by preparing a covered dish and delivering it to the church ready to serve.
We need additional volunteers! Contact us to get involved!
Ministry Coordinator: Dalene Ingle, 704.573.0491, digiolde@carolina.rr.com
Administrative Coordinator: Dianne Miller, miller1994@aol.com
Jennifer Sharpless, 704.341.5417, jsharpless@calvarychurch.com+ Senior Adults Telecare
Be an encouragement to our senior adults by making regular phone calls through our Senior Telecare ministry. Callers share Scripture and pray with people over the phone. A great opportunity for those with a flexible schedule!
Contact: Pastor Jim Pile, 704.341.5359, jpile@calvarychurch.com
+ Student Ministry Leaders
Join our volunteer team on
Sundays or WednesdaysDo you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of the next generation? Consider volunteering with our Student Ministry team! There are many different opportunities to serve: teachers, greeters, floaters, and substitute teachers.
Our most pressing need is for male and female leaders for grades 9–11.
Volunteers must have attended Calvary for at least six months, be a Calvary member, complete the training and approval process, and pass a background check.Please contact Beau for more information.
Student Ministry Office Contacts: Beau Abbott, 704.341.5354, babbott@calvarychurch.com, Jennifer Porras, 704.341.5320, jporras@calvarychurch.com, and Pastor Cameron Engle, 704.887.3678, cengle@calvarychurch.com
+ Street Ministry
Saturday breakfast UptownCalvary Street Ministry volunteers serve a full breakfast every Saturday morning to our homeless neighbors in Uptown Charlotte.
Our team needs many new volunteers to participate in food preparation in the Calvary kitchen. Plus, we need a crew to deliver and serve the meal at the Homeless Resource Center (Hal Marshall Annex), located at 618 N. College Street.
To volunteer, contact Pastor Sibu.
Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com
+ Tech Team
Providing audio & video support
Camera operators needed!
It takes a great volunteer team of sound, lighting, and video technicians working together to produce our worship services and support the many ministry events throughout the week at Calvary.
We need additional faithful technicians! We can train you to operate the audio consoles, operate cameras, run the video switcher, use presentation software, and run the lighting console. If you have an interest and aptitude in these areas, please contact us about current opportunities.
Contact: Brian Harrison, 704.341.5463, bharrison@calvarychurch.com
+ Word Room Volunteers
Help in our bookstoreDo you enjoy helping people in a retail setting? Could you assist people with selecting and purchasing Bibles, books, sermon sets, cards, and gifts?
The Word Room bookstore needs volunteers to help on Sundays before and after the worship service, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. If you're interested, please contact Veda Boyd at 704.341.5363 or wordroom@calvarychurch.com.
Contact: Matthew Thompson, mthompson@calvarychurch.com