Justice and Service at Cumberland First Baptist Church

Cumberland hosts Community Outreach Ministry Eastside, a clearing house for addressing the needs of the most needy among us, and is an active participant in the Eastside Creation Care Network, part of the Interfaith Power & Light movement, devoted to reducing our carbon footprint on our fragile climate and championing renewable sources of energy. In these ways and more, Cumberland FBC endeavors to live out our gospel mandate to be stewards of the Earth, the vulnerable, and the future.

Community Outreach Ministry Eastside Food Pantry (COME)

COME began in 1988 as an outgrowth of the food pantry at Cumberland First Baptist Church. Today, seven area churches are united to sustain this local outreach ministry.

We have volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in working in a local outreach ministry. Consider joining a team that has a proven track record of success since 1988! COME is God's people working together to serve others. Consider becoming a volunteer and enrich your community!

Financial and food donations are always needed. Host a drive at your church, business, organization or neighborhood! We’re happy to provide a list of needed items. Financial donations can be made via Givelify at Community Outreach Ministry Eastside (COME) Food Pantry.

For information on getting help, volunteering, or donating, contact us at come46229@gmail.com or call (317)891-5179. Learn more on our site, communityoutreachministryeastside.org

Eastside Peace and Justice Forum

The mission of the Eastside Peace and Justice Forum (ESPJF) is to inform and promote awareness of issues that affect the common good and to present opportunities for involvement in causes that encourage peace and justice in our community and around the world. These opportunties are in several different areas:

The Environment
• Contact Pastor T. Wyatt Watkins at wyatt [a t] cumberlandfbc.org if you have an interest in environmental stewardship. He can put you in touch with the Cumberland FBC Green Team and the Eastside Creation Care Network. Pastor Watkins is on the board of Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light and active in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Poverty
• Contact the Outreach team at outreach [a t] cumberlandfbc.org if you have an interest in poverty issues. We participate in the annual Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of Letters and other action forums.

Recycling
• Recycle your paper products at our bin located at the NW corner of the church parking lot. Our goal is TWO TONS OF PAPER PER MONTH. Newspapers - All Magazines - Junk Mail - Catalogs - Fax & Copy Paper - All Envelopes - Paperback Books - Hardback Books with covers removed. We cannot accept cardboard, phone books, or brown paper bags. On premises, we also recycle plastic, cell phones and ink cartridges.

Inclusive and Affirming
• The ESPJF believes that all are welcome and to be affirmed in the fellowship of Christ. More information on the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) here.

Peacemaking
• The ESPJF affirms that it is the role of every follower of Christ to be a peacemaker. More information on the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America here.

Interfaith Dialog
• The ESPJF seeks out people of other faith communities to partner with on hunger, poverty and environmental issues. We support the Interfaith Hunger Initiative and have partnered with the Indiana Buddhist Center to host One A-Maiz-ing Dinner. We have sponsored worship service exchanges with the Sikh Satsang.

Discrimination
• The ESPJF believes that discrimination is a violation of our faith. More information on the Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination here.

Full-circle Sustainability
• The ESPJF supports Earth Charter Indiana in its efforts for a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. Contact Outreach team at outreach [ a t ] cumberlandfbc.org about Earth Charter Indiana.

Eastside Creation Care Network

The Eastside Creation Care Network (ECCN) is a group of Indianapolis eastside churches with a common concern about energy reduction and the effects of climate change on the world. The mission of the ECCN is to engage people of faith in care for the earth. All faiths are invited to participate in this initiative.

Member groups include Cumberland First Baptist Church, Downey Avenue Christian Church, Eastgate Christian Church (DOC), Emerson Avenue Baptist Church, Englewood Christian Church, Shalom Mennonite Church and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. The churches share ideas and support each other in their earth stewardship programs.

ECCN works to educate the congregations of the member churches and the general public through Film Series that are usually held in the spring and fall. ECCN is a vocal force with other area environmental groups.

Energy costs are a huge expense for churches. Cutting energy costs will allow a faith community to have more money for mission projects and other church needs. ECCN helps identify ways that churches and faith communities can save money by implementing utility reduction measures. ECCN is an affiliate of Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light. For more information contact Pastor Watkins at wyatt [ a t ] cumberlandfbc.org.

Each fall we participate in the Greater Indianapolis CROP Walk to help end hunger one step at a time.

The Weekday Preschool has been a non-profit ministry of Cumberland First Baptist Church since 1977. The preschool is under the direction of a Preschool Committee dedicated to providing a quality learning opportunity for preschool age children. The staff strives to provide a warm, positive introduction to each child's education journey, making learning a fun and desirable experience. Students are given the opportunity to grow in the areas of academic, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical and social development. Helping children to feel good about themselves, others, and the world around them is a primary goal. Denominational doctrine is not stressed, but values, character and faith through Christian living are taught and exemplified by a committed and qualified staff.

The CFBC Green Team works to raise awareness within the church membership about global warming issues and earth stewardship. The Green Team supports action now to cut greenhouse gas emissions so that the worst effects of climate change can be averted.

The team sponsors Task of the Month, a program developed by Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light. Task of the Month is an easy way for someone to implement home energy reduction measures. Each month has a "Task" such as weathering doors and windows, or installing low flow shower heads, etc. Participants do the designated "task" each month and at the end of the year have accomplished twelve home energy reduction measures. If you have questions, contact Candy Brisson at mcbrisson3 [at] gmail.com.