Care Ministries

Prayer Shawl

Psalm 139 and I Call Nine Blessings From Above is woven into a prayer shawl. When you wear your prayer shawl, may you be reminded of what is true about you - that you are a loved child of God. God is as close to you as the shawl you place around you. Let the words of Psalm 139 be a blessing to you. Contact Maureen Block via "Contact Us" listed in this website header.

Caring Team

Folks who maintain contact with and support of those who participate in the life of the church. Contact: Rich Santoro via "Contact Us" listed above.

Wedding Ceremonies

We provide wedding services and reception hall to members of the church and the community at large.

Child Dedications & Baptisms

As a part of our regular service, we offer child dedication, and baptism rituals.

Funerals & Bereavement Support

We offer funeral services upon request for members of our church and the community. Follow up consolation with the one who has lost their loved one is a part of our bereavement support.

Prayer Chain

As a part of our regular service, we offer child dedication, and baptism rituals. If you would like to submit a prayer for our services this Sunday, please feel free to contact us.

Mystic River Homes/Congregate Communion

The minister of the church serves communion on the third Sunday of the month at the Congregate.

Peace Committee

The Peace committee works to bring information to the congregation about issues of Peace and Justice throughout the world. At least once each year the Peace Committee leads the congregation in worship, emphasizing our Christian response to real life issues of Peace and Justice. (see Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America) Contact: Marti Bradshaw via "Contact Us" listed above. To read about "War is Not the Answer", click photograph.

In Church Ministries

Evening Circle

A group of service-oriented women who meet the third Monday evening of each month to work together in Christian love, to help the church and community, to share concern for members, friends, and neighbors, and to be aware of needs throughout the world. These members operate The Corner Closet.

Memorial_Garden

Our Memorial Garden (left & right) is maintained on the south end of the Church property. A boulder contains the names of people and placed in the garden are the ashes of people interred over the years. The “Remembrance” Garden starts from the shed and goes north adjacent to our parking area. This garden was started by the Noank Baptist Evening Circle Ladies - Past, Present, and Future. A lovely accompanying Biblical Herb Garden (left) was initiated by Pat Wilbur, designed and landscaped by Linda Santoro. It is located on the west wall of our church. Please feel free to stroll and even sit a while in any of our gardens!

Benevolences

Fellowship Offering helps people in our church and our community with special needs.

Deacons and Care Team Visiting Shut-Ins & Nursing Homes

Board of Deacons and members of the Care Team provide care and assistance to

members of the Church or community who have special needs, including visiting those who are sick or shut-in. Contact: John Goetsch, Deacon Chair, or Richard Santoro, Care Team Coordinator, via "Contact Us" listed above.

Deacons, Care Team & Minister Visiting Hospitals

The Minister of the Church, Care Team and Board of Deacons provides care and assistance to members of the Church or community who are in the hospital.

Hospitality Committee

The Hospitality Committee is sponsored by the Deacons to provide assistance to families during bereavement and receptions in association with funerals.

Outreach Ministries

American Baptist Churches of USA (ABC-USA) Missionaries

We support the ongoing Global Specialist in Conflict Transformation Dan Buttry (right) whose good works have span the globe. In ABC-USA International Ministries' Go Global vision, the mission priority of Christ-like Mission sets the strategy to pursue peace, justice and reconciliation through ministries of conflict transformation and education, as well as by standing with and serving the victims. If you would like to read Dan's trip notes, click and go!

We also support International Missionaries Doris and Ricardo Mayol (left) who are at The Mayan Intercultural Seminary in Chiapas, Mexico. It is a regional center of the Seminario Bautista of Mexico, the headquarters of the Mayol's ministry. Even though Americans may be familiar with Mexico, few know about el México profundo, the original inhabitants of this continent. The Mayol's ministry includes...(to read more, click their name link).

Coalition for the Prevention of Hate Crimes

The Coalition for the Prevention of Hate Crimes was initially organized out of Noank Baptist by members, Janine Holt and Lynn Mischke, who responded to a concern about a gay youth who was facing harassment from peers. Since discrimination and intolerance impacts a broad spectrum of society, several church members then spearheaded a region-wide effort to bring Judy Shepard (the mother of Matthew Shepard) to Connecticut College in April 2005 to speak about hate crimes, hate language, and discrimination. The Coalition sponsored other programs in the area to address issues related to discrimination and hate crimes. It continues to meet on occasion to work on encouraging efforts among individuals, organizations, and public institutions to address discrimination. For more information, contact the Pastor Hayes.

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians)

The regional PFLAG group for southeastern Connecticut meets monthly at Noank Baptist on the second Monday at 7:00pm Although this was principally organized to support families and friends of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, etc.) communities, it also serves as a base network for the LGBTQ communities as well. They meet to provide support, educational programs, advocacy, and social networking for gays and allies. Contact www.pflagsect.org or www.allianceforliving.org

Corner Closet

Mission of the Evening Circle, the Corner Closet is located on the corner of Pearl and Main Streets in Noank. The donated second-hand goods are sold and distributed to buyers and worthy causes. Proceeds from the corner closet go to scholarships for people and other projects. The store is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00-12:00 p.m. & Friday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Contacts Betsey Goetsch or Maureen Block at "Contact Us" listed above.

AA/NA

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. They meet regularly at Noank Baptist Church on Monday at 7:00pm and Friday at 7:30pm There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. For more information on Alcoholics Anonymous Connecticut. Contact www.ct-aa.org

Church Street House

The Church acquired property adjacent to its parking lot in 1993, and works in association with Alliance for Living provide a home for a family affected by HIV/AIDS.

Groton Food Locker

Church attendees are invited to donate non-perishable food items that are picked up weekly and dropped off at the local Food Locker. Together we help meet basic food needs. For more information on the United Way food distribution sites in our community, call: 860-441-6760

Noank Group Homes & Support Services, Inc.

Founded in 1972, Noank Baptist Group Homes (NBGH) was originally affiliated with Noank Baptist Church although it was separately incorporated. Following a donation of a house on Main Street in Noank to the church, a committee of church members decided to use the house as a home for teenage girls who were in state care. The corporation’s original purpose was “to take care of eight or nine girls and to offer services designated to meet their physical, social, and psychological needs and contribute to their health, security and happiness.”

Today the re-named Noank Group Homes & Support Services, Inc. operates three therapeutic group homes for girls ages 14-18 in Noank, Mystic and Ledyard. NGHSS also operates a program for young men and women 18 years old or older who have been in the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

This latter program called Community Housing Assistance Program or CHAP provides a range of support services by our case managers that enable program participants to live independently. Additionally, CHAP provides a continuum of care for our residents who move on from group home living into independent living arrangements. Besides clinical therapy interventions, our group homes provide life skills and mentoring services that assist girls in developing a knowledge of community resources, social and self awareness, and relational skills. A major emphasis is placed on education in all our programs. Contact noankgh.org

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut  is working harder than ever to create homeownership opportunities for low-income families. We need your hands on support (serving refreshments on job site, serving on a planning committee or building) as well as financial support. In the next year, Habitat plans on building four homes in Ledyard and six in New London, more than we ever have before! Contact www.habitatsect.org

Mystic River Homes/Congregate

The Mystic River Homes and Congregate offers affordable housing for low-income seniors. The Congregate facility has one hot meal provided daily and staff available on a 24‑hour basis. Programs are greatly enhanced by volunteers. For more information, call the Congregate 860-572-6020 or Independent Living 860-536-3965. One way Noank Baptist Church supported the Homes was through Flamingo Flocking Fun Raiser. A fun and amusing way to help others.