Cultivation through Education. This ministry strives
to nurture ongoing faith development from cradle to
grave, to provide inclusive environments that encourage
social and emotional support, and to promote creative
teamwork and mentoring of new leaders. Events include
the Easter and Christmas workshops (activities for families),
ongoing programming for children’s church school,
youth activities, adult church school classes, summer
adult forums, children’s summer activities and childcare
on Sundays and during special events. Other programs
include a scholarship fund for Calvary college students,
training in Framework of Safety for teachers, childcare
providers and volunteers along with summer youth work
camps—most recently a co-sponsor of a youth Group
Workcamp in Denver in 2007. Youth reaching the age
at which they wish to join Calvary as members attend
an in-depth Pastor’s class held annually. This ministry
also welcomes new members at the worship service
and participates in new-member orientation.
Communication for Outreach. This ministry shares
God’s love by serving Jesus Christ in our community and
world. Recent Global Mission service includes the sponsorship
of two mission trips to Pearlington, Miss., to help
rebuild homes lost to Hurricane Katrina, supporting
Aurora Community Baptist Church in its planting of a new Latino church to share the use of its facility, and
annual participation in Operation Christmas Child. A
group of Calvary travelers went with Pastor Emeritus
Mary Hulst on a mission-education trip to northeast
India to reconnect with missionary-in-residence Ahao
Vashum and identify new mission opportunities for
Calvary. Global Mission oversees four major mission
offerings each year and presents educational programs
for the congregation, including visiting missionaries
who speak about the countries where they serve.
The Faith in Action group promotes faith-based, nonpartisan sharing, discussion and planning on issues of interest to the congregation and wider community. During its brief two-year history, Faith in Action promoted the Hands and Words Are Not for Hurting anti-violence campaign and an ongoing dialogue with Denver’s Islamic community. Additional topics under consideration include civility in political discourse, the War in Iraq, immigration and global climate change.
Local Mission sponsors work at The Learning Place
at Churchill Downs, an apartment complex near Calvary,
helping with homework, reading and providing life experiences,
such as planting a garden or a petting zoo. This
group also provides volunteers at the Jewish Family
Services Food Pantry in nearby Tamarac Square and
helps build Habitat for Humanity houses with volunteers
from several local Catholic churches. As part of the
Interfaith Hospitality Network, Calvary reaches out to
homeless families to provide shelter, warm food, quiet
conversation and transportation for a week on a rotating
basis with other participating churches. We participate
in the Learning Partner program at Samuels Elementary,
assist at the Summer Reading Program at Goldsmith
Village, provide shopping trips for residents of Syracuse
Plaza, teach English for Speakers of Other Languages and support many other causes, such as Project Angel Heart,
Metro CareRing, Ecumenical Refugee Services, The
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Interfaith Task
Force, Curtis Park Community Center, Denver InnerCity
Parish, Harvest of Hope and the Gathering Place.
American Baptist Women’s ministry contributes to White
Cross, the Love Gift offering and New Garments Always,
donating to 18 local agencies.
Resource Management. This ministry area’s goal is to
provide a healthy financial and physical environment
that supports members and guests through responsible
budget management and by recommending strategies for
continued improvement and growth. It oversees the
annual stewardship campaign, maintenance and
improvements to the church property, and risk management,
whose role is to safeguard the right and freedom
of all persons to come to Calvary in safety.
Facilities
Our building includes a beautiful sanctuary and chapel
for worship, a comfortable Fellowship Hall with attached
kitchen, a small gym, a youth lounge with kitchen, many
classrooms, offices, a choir rehearsal room and an apartment
for the custodian. Recently, we built and dedicated
a columbarium in what is now the Foot of the Cross
Courtyard. We host a Korean Congregation, Early
Learning Center and Adult Day Services on our premises.
Small group opportunities
There are numerous small groups meeting together on a
regular basis at Calvary. A sampling of these include:
Women’s Bible Study, Wednesday Morning Prayer
Breakfast, Book Club and SingleSense.
