Massachusetts Congregation Exceeds Penny Project Goal

Since September 2009, the Community Baptist Church of Marion, Mass., has been participating in the Penny Project. A goal of $2,023 or 202,300 pennies was set—one cent for each child living in poverty in Massachusetts. Each Sunday, people dropped their change into collection jars made from miniature Chinese food containers. Containers also were provided to congregation members who, in turn, shared the banks with friends, family, and co-workers. By the end of February, the church had exceeded its goal!

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the 15-year-old church presented grants to two local agencies and two local elementary schools. The agencies are Donovan House of New Bedford, Mass.—a transitional home for women and children—and Babypoint of Wareham, Mass., which supplies diapers, baby wipes, and gently-used clothing to young mothers struggling to raise children in the face of inadequate income. Grants were given to the Sippican School of Marion and Rochester (Mass.) Memorial School to help children who need lunch money, warm clothing, or school supplies.

“I am totally in love with this congregation,” says Rev. Diane L. Badger, covenant interim pastor of Community Baptist Church of Marion. “I amazed to see how God is moving in the faithful band of believers.”

During worship, a member of the mission team presented a check—along with a rose—to a representative from each agency or school. At a time of fellowship and lunch after the service, members of the congregation had the opportunity to talk with agency representatives. Drawn to continue working with these local agencies in some way, several congregants are exploring ways to continue the partnership.

Find out more about Community Baptist Church, a multicultural American Baptist Churches USA congregation.