February is Black History Month when we celebrate the accomplishments and remember the struggles of our black brothers and sisters.  On Sunday, February 19^th, at Calvary’s worship service, we will have people from the Griffin Center in East St. Louis share with us their experience in a personal way.  Plan to attend for we are sure that you will be inspired in a special way. 

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and social activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Inspired by advocates of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi, King sought equality for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday this month and it is such a sacred time.  May each of you be blessed with a most meaningful experience during these weeks of preparation for Easter.  As we have in the past, we can not begin Lent without celebrating Mardi-Gras with a spaghetti dinner.  Plan on joining us on February 21^st at 6:00p.m.for dinner, music, beads, and a great deal of fun for all. See you there!

On Sunday, February 26^th   following worship, Calvary will have a Special Congregational Meeting in which all members will be receiving a letter explaining what will take place.  It will hopefully be a time for renewal and uplifting of spirits.  We will together look at our future as a congregation and voice our hopes and dreams.  When you receive your letter, please consider participating in this gathering.  Calvary is a church which belongs to God, and is made up of all of us.  It is vitally important to the health of a congregation that everyone feels accepted as a brother and sister in Christ.  We ask that we all join together as disciples of Calvary and unite together in living out the mission of this church.  We look forward to ministering with all of you in the spirit of Christ.  Mark your calendars for your participation will be greatly appreciated!

May each new dawn of your life find you with an excitement for living and each setting sun find you peaceful still.

 Diane and Carol Maertens