At First Baptist we believe that living a faith-full life means putting in faith into action by serving God’s people and the world. We are deeply committed to Service and Social Action, and continue to grow and explore new opportunities in this part of our church life. Current and recent programs include:
Environmental Stewardship
Individuals: First Baptist Church in Newton was one of two congregations statewide to be honored recently as a Leader by Example by Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (MIP&L) for winning the Noah Challenge – a statewide initiative to encourage individual home energy audits, which help homeowners and renters lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprints by increasing the efficiency of their homes. The church is also an active supporter of the Newton Eco-Team Project
Church Buildings: In recognition of its work with the Noah Challenge, First Baptist Church in Newton received a MIP&L Environmental Stewardship Assessment or energy audit of our church buildings and facilities. Copies of the report and executive summary may be found here:
Click here to see the: Executive Summary
Click here to see the: Full Environmental Stewardship Assessment Report
In Greater Boston – A Focus on Hunger and Homelessness
- Feeding Ministry: On the third Saturday of every month, members volunteer at the Pilgrim Church in Dorchester to help prepare and serve food at the Community Lunch, part of a ministry to the neighborhood’s hungry and homeless individuals and families.
- Newton Food Pantry: During the first worship service of each month, the children help collect food for the Newton Food Pantry from members of the congregation.
- The Walking Ministry – The Project Bread Walk for Hunger: Each year, we assemble an inter-generational team of members to participate in the Boston Walk for Hunger, which passes near the church. Click on this year’s Walk for Hunger Team Page to learn more.
- Common Cathedral: This Sunday service takes place on the Boston Common and is attended primarily by the area’s homeless population. Our Youth help annually with the service, and afterward serve food they have prepared for the attendees.
- Holiday Tea: This year the congregation organized a popular Holiday Tea that included music and a tour of our church. Proceeds benefited a local nonprofit,The Second Step, and its work with survivors of domestic violence.
- The Shoebox Ministry: This Christmas we partnered with the Baptist Student Fellowship of Andover Newton Theological Seminary to pack shoe boxes with necessities for our homeless neighbors in Greater Boston.
- Additional Projects: Throughout the year, First Baptist Church is active in other projects, including the Newton Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Day of Service, and other events with partner organizations including City Mission Society.
In The World – Focus on Disaster Relief
First Baptist in Newton has a long history of responding to the needs of victims of natural disasters and poverty. Most recently, the church was active in raising funds and needed supplies in response to devastating earthquake in Haiti. This included hosting a successful benefit concert with The Duke University Chorale to support the work of the Boston-based aid organization Partners in Health.
In addition, this year a team of volunteers traveled to Appalachia for a week-long mission trip with the Appalachia Service Project to help make a home damaged by recent storms, “safer, warmer and drier.”
The congregation also raises funds to purchase needed supplies such as heart health kits and school kits to help international communities affected by natural disasters or war through offerings such as the One Great Hour of Sharing and the World Mission Offering. In addition, there is an ongoing project to support Habitat for Humanity which helps low income families afford their own homes.