E-mail to a FriendPrison Ministry Outreach
Holiday Dinners & Chapel Services
Required Training on November 10
Holiday Opportunities
At Calvary, we have many opportunities to serve and 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.
Will you pray? Invite others? And serve with us?
Consider the holiday opportunities below and register now to get involved!
For the ongoing Serve at Calvary opportunities, CLICK HERE.
+ 
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 a festive meal, encouragement, and a Gospel-centered message of hope. This year, we will minister at the Kirkland and Kershaw Correctional Institutions in South Carolina.
We need volunteers (age 18+) to pack the food in the Calvary Kitchen and/or serve the holiday meals at the prisons. Volunteers may share testimonies, serve, and pray with prison inmates.
- All volunteers who serve inside the prison must provide background check information to Pastor Sibu by November 7.
Prison Volunteer Mandatory Orientation
Sunday, November 10
12:30–2:00 PM, Room 232All volunteers serving inside the prisons (even those who have served before) must undergo an SCDC background check and attend this training meeting.
Kirkland Events & Prep
Friday, November 22 — This need has been met. Thank you!
Thursday, December 12- Food packing at Calvary, 8:00–11:00 AM
- Serving inmates at Kirkland, 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
Please register to serve below:
Kershaw Event & Prep
Thursday, December 19- Food packing at Calvary, 8:00–11:00 AM
- Serving inmates at Kershaw, 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com & Ines Portalatin-Brice, 704.341.5681, ipbrice@calvarychurch.com
+ 
Food Pantry
Thanksgiving Outreach
Monday, November 18
Register to bring dessert!Thanksgiving Drive-Thru — November 18
Many families in our community are in need this Thanksgiving. The Calvary Food Pantry is here to help!On Monday, November 18, we will provide over 100 families with groceries (including a frozen turkey, veggies, fixings, and dessert).
You can help by providing a baked pie(s) or dessert(s). Register below to let us know what you'll bring! Please consider including an encouraging Gospel-centered note. Desserts may be homemade or purchased.
Drop off the pie or dessert at Calvary Church on:
- Sunday, November 17, between 9:00–9:30 AM at Main Entrance #1.
- Monday, November 18, between 8:00–8:30 AM at Chapel Entrance #13.
We cannot accept dessert donations on any other days or times. Thank you!
If you or a family you know would benefit from receiving groceries for the Thanksgiving holiday, please contact Valerie Ahearn at 704.787.4784 or valahearn@hotmail.com.
Ongoing Food Pantry Donations — You can also help by donating non-perishable groceries to the Food Pantry cupboards inside Building Entrances #1 or #2. Thank you for your generous support!
Contacts: Valerie Ahearn, 704.787.4784, valahearn@hotmail.com or Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.907.7497, srajappan@calvarychurch.com
+ 
Calvary Night at OCC
Shoebox Distribution Center
Tuesday, December 3
Register now!Tuesday, December 3
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 center, we’ll sort, inspect, and prepare shoeboxes for their journey around the world. It’s a great evening of serving 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 if needed: Food is available for purchase on site (or bring your own meal) and eat in the snack bar BEFORE the 5:45 PM shift begins.
OCC Distribution Center is located at:
7100 Forest Pointe Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
704.583.1463
Contact: Janice Dellinger, 704.619.2755 or Sandy O'Donovan, 704.341.5323, sodonovan@calvarychurch.com+ 
Christmas Tea Servers
Saturday, December 7
Register now!
The annual Christmas Tea will be held in the Crown Room on Saturday, December 7.We need 40 gentlemen to help serve tea and provide hospitality to guests during the event.Volunteers arrive at 11:00 AM and will be finished by 4:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. Required attire is a white shirt and black slacks.Please register to serve. Thank you!+ 
Serve at Luke 14
December 14 & 17
Donate Gifts for Our Guests
Register to Serve at an Event!Serve at a banquet! Give a gift!
Luke 14 Event VolunteersPlease register now to participate in these special Christmas celebrations! Volunteer duties include greeting, hosting a table for dinner, distributing gifts, and interacting with our guests. We also need Food Service volunteers to plate and serve the meal.
- Pre-Event Volunteer Training
Saturday, December 14 at 4:00 PM, Crown Room
Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 AM, Crown Room
Luke 14 Gifts — Donate a gift!
Calvary provides a gift for every guest and caregiver who attends our Luke 14 Banquets for the Special Needs community.
Please bring a NEW gift ($30 retail value) in a decorative gift bag to the collection racks along the Rea Road and Hwy 51 concourses or under the stairwell at Entrance 1 by Sunday, December 8. Staple a card onto the gift bag, noting the intended recipient’s age and gender.
Gifts for adults are needed most. Gift cards ($30) to restaurants, Target, or Walmart are always appreciated.
Get Luke 14 gift suggestions HERE (download PDF).
Luke 14 Event Coordinator: Anna Harper, anna.churchwork@gmail.com
Contact: Sandy O'Donovan, sodonovan@calvarychurch.com- Pre-Event Volunteer Training
+ 
International Reception Volunteers
December 15, 7:30 PM
Register to serve!Sunday, December 15
7:30–9:30 PM, Crown RoomWill you share the love of Christ by serving as a Calvary host at the International Reception? Just help guests feel welcome and answer any questions about our church!
Host Training
Sunday, December 8
12:30–1:30 PM, Room 242
Please plan to attend this brief training session for volunteers at the International Reception.
Contact: Pastor Sibu Rajappan, 704.341.5336, srajappan@calvarychurch.com & Ines Portalatin-Brice, 704.341.5681, ipbrice@calvarychurch.com
+ 
Food Service & Hospitality
Holiday Serving Opportunities
Do you 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 (11/24) — Galleria Reception
- Christmas Tea (12/7) — Serving Opportunity for Men
- Advent Service & Tree Lighting (12/1) — Galleria Reception
- Luke 14 Banquet (12/14) — Plated Meal
- International Reception (12/15) — Dessert Buffet
- Luke 14 Luncheon (12/17) — Plated Meal
Contact: Calvary Food Service, 704.887.3663, foodservice@calvarychurch.com
+ 
Holiday Nursery Volunteers
Register 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 40 minutes prior to the service time.
Volunteer at the Advent Service & Organ Concert
Sunday, December 1 at 6:00 PM
Volunteer at the Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 15 at 6:00 PM
Volunteer at Candlelight Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 243:00 PM Service — Register
5:00 PM Service — Register
Questions? Contact: Jane Jewell, Nursery Coordinator, 704.341.5399, jjewell@calvarychurch.com
+ 
Holiday Ushers & Greeters
Help welcome our guests!Share a warm welcome with our guests this holiday season!
We need additional ushers and greeters to assist with seating, hand out programs, answer questions, 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 serve at any of these services:
Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 15 | 9:45 AM & 6:00 PM
Candlelight Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24 | 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00 PM — we need 100+ ushersPlease 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 Hector Castillo, at 818.472.4606, or hectorcastillo7@verizon.net.
- To serve as a Parking Attendant, contact Chris Eddings at 704.651.3614 or christophereddings@gmail.com.