Saturday, May 2, starting at 9:30 a.m.
This year we will return to the Intergrove Lodge in the North Chagrin Reservation, Willoughby Hills.
Complete the registration form below and mail your check to or drop off your check at the church office. Checks should be made payable to First Baptist Church and mailed before May 1st. For questions, you can call the church office (216) 932-7480 or contact Jen Bopple through this form.
Registration starts at 8:00AM
Save the date! You don’t want to miss the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland Women’s Conference. Danita Harris will be our keynote speaker. Danita is a WEWS News5 anchorwoman and an Emmy-Award winning journalist. She uses her profession as a main anchor to reach many people. She feels blessed to work in the broadcasting industry because it partners well with her commitment to community service.
Danita is also an ordained and licensed minister who was born in Chester, Pa. Her favorite scripture is Luke 12:48“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” She currently attends Church on the North Coast in Wickliffe.
Many Heights area folks are feeling overwhelmed by the unrelenting political tension and negativity they are exposed to on an almost 24/7 basis, with no letup in sight. Turning off social media, skipping TV news broadcasts, and not reading newspapers, all have mixed results in providing relief. Eating out and watching movies works for some. but worrying about the expense of such an evening often cancels out the benefits.
But there is an alternative!
Michael Ward of First Baptist Church thinks that there is a better way to “enable the positive to be victorious over the negative.” He is putting together a Family Praise and Worship Evening he is calling VICTORIOUS! for 7:30 PM Wednesday, August 14 in the airconditioned Spahr Center of the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland at 3630 Fairmount Boulevard in Shaker Heights.
Open to all families (and individuals) of all ages from all over the Heights area the concert will feature inspirational and uplifting music, all contemporary, performed by the very talented Praise Team and Praise Band under the direction of Brian Kozak, considered by many to be NE Ohio’s most talented guitarist.
Among such songs as “Your Love Awakens Me,” “Oceans,” and “Lord You Are Good,” will be some new music including “Look Up Child” and “Oh, Come to the Altar.” Instrumental interludes will add spice to the excitement of the evening.
Michael will MC the event, and you may just sit back and enjoy the festivities. But chances are that Michael will encourage you to sing along, get up and dance if you are so moved, and otherwise let the music push out the negative so the positive will be VICTORIOUS over the negative.
The evening is free and open to the public. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliations or lack thereof. The concert starts at 7:30 PM but food, provided by members of the Praise Team will be available starting at 6 pm in the beautiful church courtyard. You are welcome to bring something of your own to share.
Michael thinks that together we can rise above the surrounding chaos. Singing, dancing, and thanking a higher power for the good things in our lives will make us be VICTORIOUS! over the ongoing hard times!
Please register below for the date and time that works best for you!
In the original version of the tale, Sweeney Todd is a barber who dispatches his victims by pulling a lever as they sit in his barber chair. His victims fall backward down a revolving trap door into the basement of his shop, generally causing them to break their necks or skulls. In case they are alive, Todd goes to the basement and “polishes them off” (slitting their throats with his straight razor). In some adaptations, the murdering process is reversed, with Todd slitting his customers’ throats before dispatching them into the basement through the revolving trap door. After Todd has robbed his dead victims of their goods, Mrs. Lovett, his partner in crime (in some later versions, his friend and/or lover), assists him in disposing of the bodies by baking their flesh into meat pies and selling them to the unsuspecting customers of her pie shop. Todd’s barber shop is situated at 152 Fleet Street, London, next to St. Dunstan’s church, and is connected to Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop in nearby Bell Yard by means of an underground passage. In most versions of the story, he and Mrs. Lovett hire an unwitting orphan boy, Tobias Ragg, to serve the pies to customers. Though a gruesome tale, it contains powerful lessons on the futility of revenge. Because this production is taking place in a church, the spilling of blood will be left to the viewer’s imagination.
3/29 Tickets Friday 8PM – 10 PM Dinner Show Package
3/30 Tickets Saturday 8PM – 10 PM
3/31 Tickets Sunday 2 PM – 4 PM
4/5 Tickets Friday 8PM – 10 PM
4/6 Tickets Saturday 8PM – 10 PM
4/7 Tickets Sunday2 PM – 4 PM
Our Leadership ProgramCleveland Life Institute Uniqueness-
Interactive, socially conscience, community active, experiential, practical, and powerful.
Uniquely Designed EducationSuccessful leaders know their value lies not only in managing teams and running organizations, but in inspiring others, setting purposeful goals, executing strategic visions, and creating cultures of excellence.
Our program is designed to challenge your current perceptions about leadership and the values through interaction in our group both in the classroom as well as making a difference in our community project.
The Cleveland Life Institute is a faith based residential executive education program that offers the opportunity to think strategically about guiding organizations to be relevant to culture and relational to the community.
In addition to the interaction of the classroom experience, the student will work collaboratively toward solutions to today’s challenges.
The first year consists of lectures, the design of a class project, implementation of that project in the community and a report to the agency on behalf the project was undertaken. A critique of the project will conclude the term with recommendations on the continuation of the project for the next class or a spin-off of the project.
The lectures would be presented by industry experts under the direction of a facilitating faculty member who would be assigned to the class for the entire semester and would demonstrate how the various lectures pertain to the topic of the semester and the experiential learning project.
The two semester program “Skills for Social Entrepreneurs” is the first course to be offered by the School.
The program “Skills for Social Entrepreneurs” has five main objectives:
Ethics and values – Students will understand basic ethical principles for business and for working in our community and will demonstrate the ability to integrate values into all processes and to be responsibly engaged with communities. Students will also examine their own personal values.
The Social Entrepreneurial Skill Set – Using sophisticated written and oral communication skills and critical thinking skills developed in general education, students will be able to demonstrate competence in each of the following skills essential to entrepreneurship:
Cultural, Political, and Social Understanding—Students will acquire an understanding of social, political, and cultural frameworks, will demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to the assessment of issues and problems, and to use this knowledge in making responsible judgments about issues and problems.
Project planning — Students will be expected to develop a full understanding of how to create and utilize a project plan that includes sustainability.
Managing and Sustaining an entrepreneurial initiative — Students will learn the unique set of skills necessary to guide a project through periods of both growth and decline.
SYLLABUS TOPICS
The Cleveland Life Institute program will be offered over two semesters. Each semester will be 15 weeks in length, meet one time per week for 3 hours.
Semester One CLELIFE 1001
Introduction to Management Skills for Social Entrepreneurs
Non-profits, governments and social entrepreneurs
Project planning – Program development and assessment
Legal issues and structure
Finance: Fundraising, grant writing, and budgeting
Administrative structure
Measuring and managing performance
Leveraging networks and mentors
Final presentations and conclusions
Group Presentation of Social Venture Feasibility Study
Presentation to agency
Semester Two CLELIFE 2001
The Business Plan
Scalability
Sustainability
Final presentations and conclusions
Group Presentation of Social Venture Business Plan and the Project.
Deliver a report to the agency on behalf the project was undertaken
Educational Objectives
Semester One
Social Venture Feasibility Study:
The major deliverable for the course is a social venture feasibility study. The feasibility study will help students determine whether there is potential in their idea for social impact. The document’s structure and content will mirror that of a business plan, although the purpose is somewhat different. A business plan is a tool used, among other reasons, to seek resources or financial support. In the context of this course, a feasibility study is the precursor for a business plan.
According to Andrew Wolk, author of Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact:
“A good business planning process produces an in-depth understanding of a target social problem that results in identifying opportunities that exist to address it.”
Semester Two
Social Venture Business Plan:
The major deliverables for the course is a business plan based on the project identified and validated in the feasibility study and initiating the project.
According to Wolk, “The final product, a complete business plan, demonstrates a commitment to accountability by including a rigorous measurement system for assessing and improving performance. It also includes a plan for achieving financial sustainability, which ties funding to results and helps to attract funders …”
Examining the work from Wolk’s Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact.
Elevator Pitch:
Persuasive and effective communication is an essential skill for any social entrepreneur. Elevator pitches are how social entrepreneurs present themselves to audiences when time is limited but an opportunity awaits. They are short, persuasive introductions to an idea or organization. The class will make a two-minute elevator pitch for the new social venture.
Initiating the Project:
The class will initiate to project that was validated by the feasibility study and around which a business plan was created.
Founded with a desire to unite individuals who are passionate about making a difference in our world and to explore their faith in a progressive, interactive environment along with a focus on innovation, the Cleveland Life Institute pursues excellence in our educational experience. It’s unique design of guest lecturers with real world experience in our community advance the kingdom and quality of life for everyone within our community.
We offer two tracks for our first years:
1) Certificate Program
Leadership Certification is a one-year program that will develop your unique capabilities to make an impact on the world and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. The curriculum covers competencies in self-management, teamwork, leadership and professional skills.
Graduates earn a designation on their transcript recognizing their demonstrated excellence in leadership and organization and community involvement.
2) Graduate Level Continue Educational Units (CEU’s)
The Graduate Level CEU’s program is a one-year program accredited by the State of Ohio Department of Higher Educations requirements for CEU’s. This program is at a high graduate level. The program provides real life experiences with personal interaction to offer both a networking quality and real work experience which translates into a wide range of fields and work environments.
(Both the Certificate Program and CEU Program are operational together and meeting the same standards, paying the same tuition and graduation certificates, yet those who qualify for the CEU’s are rewarded with recognized CEU’s.)
Applications for the 2017 cohort are being accepted May 1, through August 11, 2017
Submit Your 2017 Cohort Application
Space is limited, please apply as soon as possible.
Historic First Baptist Church
3630 Fairmount Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH 44118
“Each day that we live, we’re taking in new information, ideas, concepts, experiences, and sensations. We need to consciously stand guard at the doors of our minds to make sure that whatever we’re allowing to enter will cause our lives to be enriched, that the experiences we pursue will add to our stockpile of possibility.” ~ Anthony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within
The Power of Experiential Education by Janet Eyler
“Experiential education, which takes students into the community, helps students both to bridge classroom study and life in the world and to transform inert knowledge into knowledge-in-use. It rests on theories of experiential learning, a process whereby the learner interacts with the world and integrates new learning into old constructs.”
The ‘Jesus Method’ as a teacher
Jesus provided us a teaching model based on experiential learning which was gathering a small group of individuals into teaching sessions through life experiences. The “Jesus Method” incorporates four general points about Jesus’ moral teaching.
The first is that it is aimed at achieving a transformation of moral character; without changing certain traits and attitudes that impede moral responsiveness, moral teaching remains merely exhortative.
Second, moral teaching cannot be moralizing; it must begin with an understanding of moral agency and motivation, and sometimes the way to influence these is not through direct moral instruction, but through other kinds of teaching.
Third, many deep moral insights are gained only indirectly, through reflection on complex and puzzling cases that do not yield simple truths or directives.
Hence, fourth, Jesus’ use of proverbs, allegories, paradoxes, parables and other figurative forms reflects, on the positive side, a desire to cultivate in listeners a breadth and flexibility of moral imagination – and, on the negative side, a willingness to see many listeners misunderstand or not understand at all.
-Nicholas C. Burbules, “Jesus as a teacher.” Spirituality and Ethics in Education: Philosophical, Theological, and Cultural Perspectives, Hanan Alexander, ed. (Brighton: Sussex Academic Press) 2017.
Photograph: Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Each year’s Cleveland Life Institute students will engage in addressing a community issue in partnership with the ongoing work of other programs and governmental agencies.
Our Community Project (2017-18 ) will be to evaluate and make recommendations for action regarding the problem of abandoned homes and properties in the city of Cleveland.
Vacant houses, blighted buildings still plague Cleveland, but problem is shrinking: Taking Stock
How Cleveland’s Vacant Homes Violent Crimes and Lead Poisoning are Linked – CWRU Report by Rachel Dissell, The Plain Dealer
We are in partnership with the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and Western Reserve Land Conservancy to create a network in the faith based community to help in the revitalization of neighborhoods through a project which our students will engage themselves.
This provides a learning environment that represents the opportunity of each class to work though a project over the course of a year to a point of completion. Students will work together along with faculty advisors and community leaders to utilize our faith based community in the process of rebuilding neighborhoods. The exact nature of our role will be presented the the beginning of the school year.
Management abilities, leadership skill, and teamwork projects will provide a learning experience that will find value in our students personal or professional life.
Few programs incorporate the level of experiential education as we provide. This will be a strong point of our program and a strong addition to our students resume.
Clusters are small groups that meet regularly to help define activities of the church. They typically meet at the church. To find out about joining a cluster, contact the church office at 216-932-7480 or click on the cluster to contact the Lay Leader for that group.
Communication & Outreach: Lynne Liu
Greeters, Welcome Center, Marketing, Communications
Discipleship: Suzanne Blum
Discipleship Classes, PrimeTime, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Covenant Groups
Fellowship and Nurture: Tina DeBlaey-Cicco
Stephen Ministry, Deacons, New Member Orientation
Missions & Social Concerns: Tamara Turner
Stewardship: Tony Peebles
Property and Finance, Stewardship Campaign, Endowment and Audit
Worship and Fine Arts: G. Michael Skerritt
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.
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.
Help deliver food to the Hunger Center at Bethany Baptist Church at 1211 East 105th St. For more information, contact Barbara Baus.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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]