Recognizing that all creation is sacred and acknowledging our call to be responsible stewards of the earth was the impetus for planting a pollinator garden on a small plot facing DeWitt Park. Pollinator gardens are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems and diverse food systems. They provide shelter and crucial food sources—pollen and nectar—for pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats.

Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many plants, and they are also an important food source for songbirds and many other animals. FBC’s pollinator garden features plants native to the Finger Lakes region that support native fauna. In maintaining the garden, we follow these guidelines…

The Green Sharing/Lending Library is a collection of titles devoted to various aspects of creation care: ecological and environmental justice; global warming and climate crises; sustainable living and adaptability; gardening in relationship to creation; and creation theology.

We have created this resource to encourage individual reflection and group conversation about our role in God's creation. Books may be borrowed two at a time for two weeks. Here's a sampling of what's available…

Using equitably sourced products is one way we can live out our commitment to ecological justice. These items include coffee, chocolate, and tea, as well as cut flowers, live plants, and nursery stock. When shopping, we recommend looking for the FAIR-TRADE label or researching the sustainability policies of companies before purchasing their products.

We are committed to reusing, recycling, and composting and are intentional in our efforts to minimize our consumption of single-use products, especially those made of plastic and Styrofoam.

Solar panels on our roof generate some of the electricity we use, and we heat and cool a large section of our building with heat pumps. We have also taken advantage of incentives to convert most lighting in the building to energy-saving LED bulbs.

Sampling of recent topics: centering prayer; gratitude; combating fear and finding strength in turbulent times; Christian nationalism; and Jesus' teachings related to nonviolence.

Following worship, children ages pre-school through sixth grade gather for a healthy snack followed by a lesson from the "Shine: Living in God's Light" curriculum.

The Youth Group meets on Sundays for conversations about faith formation and spiritual growth, as well as Bible study. Our youth also participate in service projects, as well as outings just for fun. In 2024, a cross-cultural exchange trip to Guatemala was a highlight.

During the school year, coffee and conversation following the worship service creates an opportunity to connect with visitors and catch up with friends old and new.

Once a month from September through May, we gather for brunch following worship. Most often these are dish-to-share meals, sometimes with a theme, more often not. All are invited to the table whether or not they have brought something to share. The best part of these common meals are the conversations that bring us closer together as a community.

Twice each summer, we worship and picnic at Taughannock Falls State Park on the beautiful shores of Cayuga Lake.

In July and August, we gather in DeWitt Park to enjoy light refreshments and each other’s company following worship.

There are times when someone in our midst needs extra support and nurture. They may be recovering from an illness or surgery or have lost a loved one.

The Circle of Care is an informal group that responds to these special circumstances. Sometimes it involves delivering a meal, paying a visit to the hospital or home, sending a card, providing transportation, or running other errands. Whatever the response, it is an expression of God's love and our love for one another.

Prayer requests are shared with a group that is committed to praying for one another.

The choir sings most Sundays during the school year. Anthems include selections from a variety of genres from classical to spirituals to contemporary. We are currently 16 members strong and are always happy to add new voices. Anyone who loves to sing is welcome to join. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

This small ensemble provides special music during worship several times a year. The New Creation Singers, dedicated to making meaningful acoustic music in the folk and contemporary genres, chooses songs that speak to God's unconditional love and influence in our lives. New members are welcome, so contact us if you are interested.

FBC is currently home to two community-based choruses: Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance and Rock Voices Ithaca.

Our sanctuary is a sought-after venue for a variety of musical performances, including concerts by professional performers and community-based ensembles, as well as student recitals. Great acoustics make it an ideal location for these events.

Our welcoming and affirming community is on full display for the thousands who line the streets for this annual event.

Participation in Pride in the Park, organized by the Ithaca Pride Alliance, is an opportunity to promote our commitment to the full inclusion of all in communities of faith, as well as our affiliation with the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists.

We extend an invitation to families in the greater Ithaca community to share Christmas joy at this annual event named in memory of Tim Hembrooke, a church member, who before his untimely death, loved preparing a meal for our guests.

First Baptist is one of four sponsoring congregations of the Protestant Cooperative Ministry at Cornell University, a community that welcomes all spiritual seekers. We also support the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Ithaca College.

We provide financial support to provide access to education for students in Mali and Kenya.

Through our giving to American Baptist Churches USA, our reach expands to ministries across the country and around the globe.

We share our space with Food Not Bombs where they prepare and serve a free community meal on Sunday evenings.

On the second and fourth Tuesdays, Pastor Debbie leads a Bible study via Zoom. The text is often the passage from the lectionary that will be the scripture lesson for the following Sunday. Together, the group explores the meaning of the scriptures in their original context and what they have to say to us today. All are welcome to join the conversation.

A time for meditation is offered every Thursday morning via Zoom.

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves once again for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Frequently, a book is recommended as a devotional resource and sometimes used as the basis for conversations in Adult Education.

Christmas Eve is celebrated with a live nativity followed by a family-friendly service of lessons and carols.

Walking a labyrinth is a form of meditation that can quiet and restore your mind, body, and spirit. During the season of Christmas and as we welcome the New Year, First Baptist invites the community to experience this age-old tradition in our candlelit sanctuary. Our full-size labyrinth is patterned after the one inlaid in the floor of France’s Chartres Cathedral.

We begin our Lenten journey with an Ash Wednesday service. Holy Week events include a simple supper on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus last meal with his disciples and a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday, culminating in our joyful celebration of Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Light on the Hill Retreat Center is the site of the annual Women's Retreat, a time for reflection, relaxation, and deepening relationships. Guaranteed meaningful conversations, fun activities, and plenty of laughter.

Our family-friendly, all church retreat happens each fall. It's a fun-packed weekend and a wonderful time to get to know each other better. This year the retreat will be held at the Y at Watson Woods in Painted Post. Save the date—November 22 & 23, 2025.