If you want to go far, go together
Calvary has a rich history of working in the community and throughout the world to support those in need. This work is made possible through a series of active, dynamic, local and national partnerships.
Presbyterian Church USA
Calvary is a long-time member church of Presbyterian Church (USA). With roots in reformed theology stretching back to the 1600’s and founder John Calvin, PC(USA) affirms that “At the core of Presbyterian identity is a secure hope in the grace of God in Jesus Christ, a hope that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live lives of gratitude. Through our connection to the PC(USA) we are able to support humanitarian mission work all over the world, financially and through service work.
Covenant Network of Presbyterians
Calvary Presbyterian is a proud member of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a movement that works for ordination equality for our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. Calvary’ former pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Laird Stuart was a founding member and the first president of the Covenant Network, a nation-wide movement that lobbied “the radical middle.” The movement was successful in prompting the PC(USA)’s General Assembly to give local churches freedom to decide who to ordain as ministers, deacons and elders regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Learn more here:
Matthew 25 Congregations
After a long history of working in the community to break cycles of poverty, and serving those in need, Calvary, through PC(USA) is a Matthew 25 congregation. In the 25th chapter of the
gospel of Matthew, people ask Jesus where they encountered him, and he says ‘for I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Aligning with Calvary’s existing work, the Matthew 25 church focal points are Building Congregational Vitality, Dismantling Structural Racism, and Eradicating Systemic Poverty.
San Francisco Interfaith Council
In 1988, at the request of Mayor Art Agnos, Calvary’s pastor at the time, the late Rev. Dr. Jim Emerson, helped form a working group of religious leaders to take on the task of sheltering the homeless. That group became the San Francisco Interfaith Council. Calvary is still very active with the SFIC, working together with other congregations of diverse faith and traditions to serve the community.