Mission Outreach Opportunities
There are literally dozens of other opportunities for people to serve. If you have a desire to be actively involved in the work of the church, please contact the church office at (216) 932-7480 or by email.
Serve a Meal to the Homeless
Participate in Faith in Action Sunday
Join others on the first Sunday in June for a day of service projects both at FBC and in our community. For more information, please email Fran Leanza.
Make a Delivery to the Bethany Baptist Hunger Center
Help deliver food to the Hunger Center at Bethany Baptist Church at 1211 East 105th St. For more information, contact Barbara Baus.
Assist in the East Side Ministry program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
This group meets at FBC each Sunday from October-May. You can volunteer in the Sunday morning classroom where students participate in lessons that include stories, music and crafts.
Join Others Gardening in the FBC Hunger Garden
Support P.A.D.S. (Pride Among Daughters & Sisters)
This newly non-profit organization was started by our own FBC member, Delesia Robinson. The mission of PADS is to provide hygiene products to underprivileged teens & women and to promote pride, dignity and confidence. To learn more about this ministry and to help with any contributions, please contact Delesia Robinson. For more info visit www.prideamongdaughters.org
Help Assemble Thanksgiving Food Baskets
During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving we ask for donations of non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, fruits, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, jello, cake mix etc. Come join the fun on the Monday before Thanksgiving in sorting donations and assembling food baskets for families in need. Please contact Fran Leanza for more information.
Christmas Giving Tree
Through the FBC Giving Tree, you can participate in our Christmas Angel Program by buying a oersonal gift for a young child living in transitional housing or in shelters sponsored by the Family Promise Organization. For further information please contact Fran Leanza.
AMOS Health & Hope
Since 1967 our church has supported missions in Nicaragua. We began by commissioning missionaries Rev. Dr. Gustavo and Joan Parajon who were Ministers of the First Baptist Church of Managua and also began several health initiatives that have transformed the country’s health care system. Following in their footsteps, Drs. David & Laura Parajonare continuing the health missions, now called AMOS Health & Hope,a Christian Public Health organization that serves impoverished rural communities. Each year FBC sends a team to support AMOS and in the past have provided earthquake, hurricane, and flood relief, and projects to provide clean, safe drinking water in rural communities.
Learn more about our Nicaragua Missions
Serve a Meal to the Homeless
On the fourth Friday of each month, volunteers from FBC prepare and serve a meal to Cleveland’s homeless population at New Life at Calvary church on Euclid at E.79th street. You can help by preparing food in advance, or joining the team as they cook and serve. For more information contact Tina Marr through this form.
Hunger Garden
Each year the church plants a hunger garden. Our vegetable garden, located on the Shelburne side of our building, was started in 1992. In 2010, we opened the gardens up to our local community. Each gardener is responsible for their own plot and a portion of the weekly pickings will be delivered to the Heights Emergency Food Center located at Disciples Christian Church. A nice variety of herbs and vegetables are planted each year by members of the church and friends from the community. Some of the vegetables and herbs planted include Tomatoes, Collard Greens, Kale, Carrots, Summer Squashes, Lettuce, Peppers, Corn, Okra, Cabbage, Beets, Sweet Potatoes, Leeks, Onions, Bok Choy, Green Beans, Celery, Parsley, Eggplant, Basil, Sage, Cilantro, Marjoram, Tarragon and Fennel.
We donate hundreds of pounds of food to the Heights Emergency Food Center at Disciples Christian Church. We need volunteers to help plant, tend and cleanup the garden. If you are interested in helping out, contact Tobili Sam-Yellowe through the form below.
Handbell Choir
BELL RINGERS NEEDED!
This spring we are bringing back the Bell Choir, one of Bob Schneider’s favorite music-making ensembles here at First Baptist!
But we can’t do bell ringing justice without bell ringers. For a variety of reasons the ranks of the Bell Choir have been reduced, so we are looking for dedicated individuals, preferably who can read music (although there are wonderful bell ringers who don’t read music) and who could dedicate time for a one hour rehearsal from 6 to 7 PM each Thursday evening, and perform in a Traditional Worship Service about once a month.
We have moved the rehearsals and performances downstairs from the balcony in the back of the Sanctuary, so if climbing stairs have been holding you back, that excuse is gone! Rehearsals, with a very congenial group of ringers, are enjoyable to be with, to say the least.
So give joining the Bell Choir some thought. In fact, don’t even think about it. Just come on out on a Thursday evening at 6 PM and give it a try. The 100th Psalm says in part, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!” That would be YOU playing bells! Give it a try. You won’t regret it!
Check the calendar to verify dates and times.
If you are interested in joining or need more information about the Handbell Choir contact Betty through the form below.
Junior Dance
Junior Dance is Cleveland based and began in the 1940’s. We offer social etiquette and dance classes for students in the fifth through seventh grades.
The classes are taught by Mr. Patrick Navarro, former owner of American Dance Exchange and a certified international ballroom judge. Our Junior Dance classes start with 15 minutes of social etiquette covering topics such as cell phones, introductions, RSVP’s and helping a lady with her coat. After the etiquette topic of the day, the students learn basic ballroom dancing skills.
There are eight classes a year held on Friday afternoon/evenings at The First Baptist Church In Shaker Heights in the Fellowship Hall. The fifth grade class is held from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., the sixth grade from 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. and the seventh grade from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
For more information visit the Junior Dance web site or contact them through the form below.
[contact-form to=’juniordance2@aol.com’ subject=’I am interested in Junior Dance.’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Guitar Lessons
Brian Kozak has guitar lessons at the church Saturdays from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm in the Choir Room.
If you would like to take guitar lessons or would like more information talk to Brian Kozak or contact the church office.
Boy Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
If you or your child would like to be a part of this group, Boy Scout Troop 179 meets at the church on Thursdays from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm in the Wheaton Center.
If you are interested in joining this troop or would like more information contact Steve Bopple through the form below.
[contact-form to=’jbopple@gmail.com’ subject=’I am interested in the Boy Scout Troop at First Baptist’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America or simply the Girl Scouts is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad.
Today they continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
They are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. If you would like to learn more about the Girl Scouts visit their web site.
This troop typically meets the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Check the calendar to verify the times and dates.