Pastor Calvin comes to Calvary with a breadth of musical knowledge and spiritual diversity. His inclusive spirit, working with all religious beliefs and those who do not have a belief, has brought him to Calvary.
Now living in Lansdowne, Pastor Calvin grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in a rural area where most of his family currently resides. He is currently pursuing his M.Div at Lancaster Theological Seminary, a United Church of Christ-affiliated seminary that welcomes all people just as he and Calvary welcome all. He is also pursuing ordination as an Elder within the United Methodist Church.
Pastor Calvin believes that he is called in a time such as this where The United Methodist Church is facing uncertainty regarding inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and the world is at a standstill with so much division and hate.
Friends in Creation,
I welcome you to Calvary. This community of faith is so beautiful in many ways, not just in our building but in the community that surrounds us. I am overjoyed to share in God‘s presence with you in so many ways, especially if you are seeking a new church family or just a place to exist where you are loved and included. Here at Calvary, all means all and we truly mean it. It is intertwined in every fiber of our being and an every strand of our DNA.
I would like to invite you to take a deep breath and let it out, and then say out loud, “Be still.” The stillness of the earth during this time of pandemic and the reduced busyness of life can bring much hope towards the future. It brings me a sense of hope when I hear that our ozone layer is healing - likely the result of people not traveling all the time.
We are really facing three pandemics at the same time. There is social unrest because of police brutality and racism and white supremacy that infiltrates so many areas, There is a pandemic of climate change and the future of the earth at stake if we do not do something and reduce our carbon omissions drastically. And there is the COVID-19 pandemic itself, which of course remains of great concern.
In this pandemic of racism, we must fight for justice. We must speak up and say together that Black Lives Matter, that Black trans lives matter, that Black employment matters. And we must stay together and stick together as we fight to dismantle racism. If you would like to learn more about what our global United Methodist Church is doing in this fight please visit umc.org/endracism.
During this pandemic related to climate change, we must seek climate justice. We must reduce our omissions in the best ways possible. It brings me joy to share that Calvary is currently pursuing solar power. .
In this pandemic which is COVID-19, we must listen to the health experts as none of us knows what is next. We must practice social distancing and wear masks to protect others as they wear masks to protect us. Calvary is following the advice of health experts and our secretary of health Dr. Rachel Levine. Please remember to keep these people that are going through difficult decisions and criticism in your prayers, your thoughts, and in your mind.
Please pray with me. Creator of all that is in all and through all, we need to be still. We need to be calm and we need you to help us to accomplish what we are called to do. We value our earthly connection but we know that climate change Is the reality and we must speak up and change our ways so that this fragile earth is cared for and healed. We need you to help us speak out and to say the names of people That have been tragically killed through gun violence, through police brutality, and just because of the color of their skin. We need courage in this fight as we work together to hear the voices that are calling us to end racism. Give us strength this day and always our Creator, give us fire in our hearts to do justice, I love mercy, and walk humbly with you on this journey. Amen.
I know it is difficult and it is uncertain, but take that deep breath in and breathe out and say out loud again,“Be still.” Please reach out if you need anything, if you need prayer or just need someone to talk to. You are valid. You are loved.