Calvary Faith in Action Focus: Income Inequality and Bay Area Youth

Reverend Joann • May 3, 2020

Interested in learning how income inequality in the Bay Area is adversely affecting youth ages 16-24? Please join us for a video conversation with Mark Cole, Chief Operating Officer at New Door Ventures, one of Calvary’s non-profit community partners. Mark will also talk about the impact of the coronavirus on New Door Ventures programs and the youth they serve. Mark Cole, Chief Operating Officer of New Door Ventures, oversees New Door Ventures’ social enterprises, Ashbury Images and Pedal Revolution, in addition to finance, human resources, administration and organizational learning functions. He also leads planning and development of key strategic initiatives.



New Door Ventures helps disconnected youth – those without a job and not in school, between the ages of 16 and 24 – get ready for work and life. Many of the youth have experienced homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, or other challenges. At New Door, youth work on completing their education, learn job readiness skills and are offered real jobs at one of their social enterprises. They depend on partners and volunteers like Calvary to help them with mock job interviews, resume review, career panels, as well as financial assistance.

Restored (The Conversion of Saul), Lisle Gwynn Garrity ] © A Sanctified Art

Sermon 04.19.2026: Second Acts

By Rev. Marci Glass • April 19, 2026
Paul’s conversion is one of the most dramatic stories in scripture. But if you had told 20 year old Paul that 2000 years later we would know him as the most prolific writer about Jesus, he would not have believed it. What a second act! Do we give people space to live their second acts?
3 boys in Bible study writing down something on a piece of paper - the text reads ‘doubting as faith

Sermon 04.12.2026: Doubting as Faith

By Rev. Joann Lee • April 12, 2026
On this Confirmation Sunday, we read about Thomas, the disciple who doubted and would not believe until he saw Jesus with his own eyes. He is usually viewed negatively, but certainity is the very opposite of faith. Without our doubts, how can we profess to have faith?
A bunch of wildflowers in dusk lighting, the text reads ‘while it was still dark’

Sermon 04.05.2026: While It Was Still Dark

By Rev. Marci Glass • April 5, 2026
Mary went to the tomb on Easter morning while it was still dark. She encountered the living Christ not after day had dawned, not when things were looking hopeful, but while it was still dark. What might the Easter story have to say to our world today? Where is resurrection in our midst?
A palm leaf with text that says ‘enough is enough’

Sermon 03.29.2026: Enough is Enough

By Rev. Marci Glass • March 29, 2026
What we get before Palm Sunday in John’s gospel is the story of people who are ALL IN, saying enough is enough if a culture of violence wants to keep people in their graves. Enough is enough if generosity and abundance are scorned. Enough is enough if talking about new life is threatening to people in power . They lead
Ecco Homo by Caravaggio, c 1605. Jesus on trial

Sermon 03.22.2026: No King but the Emperor

By Rev. Marci Glass • March 22, 2026
In this passage from John's gospel, we're reminded that while the occupying Roman government murdered Jesus, they did so with the encouragement of Jesus' own people. What does this story have to say for how we live together, how we acknowledge our mistakes, and how we are called to be faithful today?
A road sign that reads ‘good choice, bad choice’

Sermon 03.15.2026: Make Good Choices!

By Rev. Joann Lee • March 15, 2026
After Pilate examines Jesus, he finds no fault in him. And yet, he offers the crowd a choice any way: release Jesus or Barabbas? The crowd chooses Barabbas, a convicted criminal over Jesus. How do we continue to choose Barabbas over Jesus still today?
A big starry night sky with the sun setting and the Milky Way galaxy. The text reads “I AM (not)

Sermon 03.08.2026: I AM (not)

By Rev. Marci Glass • March 8, 2026
In today's reading, Peter denies Jesus three times. Peter isn’t any worse than any other sheep in God’s flock. Here, at least, he’s also not better. We are people, like Peter, who deny. We deny our connectedness. We divide into “us and them”. We seek easy answers to complicated questions.
Cover photo of the annual report

2025 Annual Report

By Rachel Wolf • March 3, 2026
A coupon that reads ‘bread bath and beyond 100% free grace, never expire!’

Sermon 03.01.2026: Bread, Bath & Beyond

By Rev. Victor Floyd • March 1, 2026
On the night we expect bread and cup, John’s gospel gives us a towel and a basin. Jesus kneels, turning ritual into relationship and power into vulnerable love. Communion is not words at a table, but embodied connection that changes and binds us together—when we dare to be present.
An opening tomb with a rock moving out of the way to light - the text reads 'living, dying, rising

Sermon 02.22.2026: Living, Dying, Rising

By Rev. Marci Glass • February 22, 2026
The rhythm of living, dying, and rising is the story of our faith, and the rhythm of our lives. We worship a man who rose from the dead. After he had lived. And after he died. As we enter the season of Lent, we'll focus on the story of Lazarus, and see how living, dying, and rising affected him and his community.
More Posts