February 18, 2026
Calvary Compass – February 18, 2026 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Please be aware that "Walking the Labyrinth" that was original planned at Riverside United this Wednesday has been cancelled. No future date has been announced.
There is a noon Lenten Ash Wednesday service today at Wesley-Knox UC, that Rev. Kerry is participating in.
The Lenten Series (Journeying with the Different Traditions through Lent) on Wednesday nights starts this week at Wesley-Knox United Church. This series is very worthwhile and gives everyone an opportunity to experience Lenten preparations in different churches. Further details are in the News section.
This coming Sunday, please try to wear pink or something with pink in it. It is to celebrate Annual Pink Shirt Day which was started in Nova Scotia to signify Anti-Bullying. Normally it is on February 25th.
Rev. Dr. Anne Beattie-Stokes will be leading Worship this Sunday. Rev. Kerry will be at Riverside as they are having their Annual Meeting.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
February 22 - https://www.youtube.com/live/b-qiBcHa7uc
March 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOZrYMcnXNc
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for
February 15 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXVmDkj8UEU
TAX RECEIPTS
Tax receipts are ready and are available for pick-up from the Office or will be in the Sanctuary on the back credenza for the next two Sundays. A reminder that these receipts are for the period March 1st to December 31st, 2025 as the receipts for January and February were issued last March.
ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place Sunday, March 1st in the sanctuary following our worship service. We will offer Zoom for those unable to be there in-person. Further details will be given closer to the date.
Kim has sent the Annual Report via email this week. If you did not receive it, please contact Kim in the office. If you would like a paper copy, please let Kim know so she can save you one. There will also be some copies in the sanctuary on Sunday.
CALVARY CATALYST
Submission deadline is Friday, March 6. Please email your article to Kim in the office at calvaryuc@execulink.com. Early submissions are appreciated!
SEVEN WEEK SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Rev. Dr. Anne Beattie-Stokes is leading a Seven Week Spiritual Journey
When: Friday mornings from 10:30 am - noon from February 13th to March 27th
Where: White Oaks United Church
The Bible is full of stories as ancient writers remember, reflect, wrestle and try to make sense of life with God and with one another. These stories were passed down so that we might remember, reflect and wrestle with our lives: taking stock of how far we've come, reconnecting with the present, and turning the page toward the future.
On our journey together, we'll carry the Bible in one hand and the wisdom of Madeleine L'Engle in the other as we connect our stories to the gospel stories for Ash Wednesday and the Sundays of Lent and Palm/Passion Sunday. We'll gather together on Fridays and dive into the material. During the week to follow, we'll reflect and write our life stories using practices from the study guide.
If you would like to join the journey, please call or email Beth at White Oaks United Church to register, so we can print your free study guide. 519-681-3229 or churchoffice@whiteoaksunitedchurch.ca
PINK SHIRT SUNDAY
For approximately 18 years, the last Wednesday of the month of February has been known as Pink Shirt Day. Wearing a Pink Shirt raises awareness of bullying and helps to take a stand for anti-bullying. School Boards and many businesses across the country raise awareness about anti-bullying by wearing pink shirts. We are encouraged to do so this Sunday, February 22nd. We will be participating with many anti-bullying events based on the support by two senior students in Nova Scotia in 2007 who raised awareness of a grade 9 student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. If you never have worn pink before this is your opportunity to join in the ant-bullying awareness to our neighbourhood, our city, and our country. Let's make Sunday a pink day and stand up against bullying.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Confirmation classes are forthcoming this year.
Through our Shared Ministry team, Confirmation classes are being offered on Friday May 1 from 5:30-9pm, dinner provided and Saturday May 2nd, from 9am-3pm both breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday. Receiving the confirmands will be done at the respective Confirmand’s home congregation on different Sundays in the later part of May.
If you know of any 8th grade student or older and even adults, please reach out to Rev. Kerry, Rev. Rob or Rev. Michelle prior to March 15th.
We are also looking for Confirmand Sponsors/Mentors – those adults that will accompany the Confirmation students on their faith journey, not only during the confirmation workshops but also through their ongoing faith journeys.
Any questions, please reach out to your ministry team.
Rev. Kerry, Rev. Michelle, Rev. Rob
OUT OF THE COLD
Holy Trinity St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church, near the corner of Southdale and Wellington is being supported by Arc Aid Street Mission in order to open its doors to people seeking a warm place to stay.
From February 17th to April 15th, 30 to 50 people will be offered a secure place to sleep and some light nutrition from 9 pm to 8 am. This initiative is possible in part to increased funding from the City of London.
Calvary's benevolent fund will provide financial support for this project. In addition, there is a need for personal hygiene products and light snacks, which will be offered to those seeking the shelter.
If you feel that you can support this endeavor, a box has been placed at the back of the sanctuary for the following:
- tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap
- feminine hygiene products
- granola bars, oatmeal cups, fruit cups
- hats, scarves, gloves
Thank you for supporting our unhoused neighbours who face the hardships of a cold winter.
PIE DAY POTLUCK AND WORKSHOPS
Wesley-Knox U.C. is hosting a PIE DAY Potluck and Workshops on Saturday, March 14th from 6:00 - 8:00pm. It is open to everyone in the community. Everyone who comes is asked to bring a pie whether it be savoury or sweet. Pre-registration is required at http://www.wesleyknox.com/affirm
The following is a description of the workshops:
• Songs for the Holy Other - An opportunity to talk about creating and using inclusive worship music as well as the opportunity to make music with others.
• A (brief) history of the United Church and Queer Peoples - when did we first publicly welcome gays and lesbians into ministry? How was that decision made and what was the impact on the wider United Church community? Have we ever formally apologized for our treatment of 2SLGBTQ+ people in the church? Learn all this and more.!
• Crafting Community - An informal conversation about what we are currently doing to be welcoming to all peoples and what we would like to introduce into our congregations while working on a community craft project.
HISTORY OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED CHURCH
There will be an exhibition about the United Church from the perspective of the Black people in the church. The presentation is at these venues:
LONDON at First St. Andrew's Church ( 350 Queens Ave.)
Thursday, Feb. 26th: 1 - 3 pm
Friday, Feb. 27th: 1 - 3 pm
Saturday, Feb. 28th: 6 pm - performance by London Kids Community Gospel Choir: - exhibition open during reception following
Sunday. March 1: Before and After 10:30 Worship
Monday, March 2: 1 - 3 pm
FINGAL: Pearce Williams ( at Hume Hall, 8008 Iona Road, Fingal, Ont.)
Thursday, March 5: Open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - Self Guided
Friday, March 6: Open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - Self Guided
Saturday, March 7: Open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - Self Guided - Talk at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
Sunday, March 8: Open from 12 pm to 5:00pm - Self Guided - Service planned for 1:30 pm
Monday, March 9: Open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - Self Guided
Tuesday, March 10: Open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
OPTIONS FOR LENTEN STUDY AND REFLECTION
1. Seven Week Spiritual Journey on Friday mornings with Rev. Dr. Anne Beattie-Stokes - see Compass for more details
2. A variety of Lenten Study Books for self-study will be on Calvary's Library book cart
3. The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, is hosting a six-part You Tube video series called Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator. This is inspired by this year's UCC Lenten devotional book " Bless Break Share - Recipes for Faithful Living" , but the video series is worth viewing even if you don't read the book. Here is a link to information about the series and to the first episode which launched Shrove Tuesday.
4. The author of " Bless Break Share" book, Rev. Christine Jerrett, is offering a six week online Lenten study Tuesdays from 2-3 pm ET beginning Feb. 24. For more information on this or the book, contact Marg LaRocque, 519-681-7810 or mglarocque@rogers.com
Join us for the Lenten Season Music at Midday concerts, starting Thursday, March 5th at 11:45.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Lenten Series - Wednesday - Wesley-Knox U.C. - 7:00 pm
* Church Council - Wednesday - 7:00pm via Zoom
* Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
* Book Club - Monday - 7:30pm via Zoom
BIBLE STUDY
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2: 15 -17; Matthew 4: 1 - 11;
PSALM FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 51: 10 -11 from the New Revised Standard Version updated edition
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust
the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbours.
We ask that
You bless us with kindness and help strengthen us to face our mortality with
confidence in the mercy of your son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and teacher,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Prayer Focus for the week: The Community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia