How to Contact Us
We can be reached by calling:
- Extension 1 is for First Baptist
- Extension 2 in for First Methodist
- Extension 3 is for the Center
Our pastors can be reached at the following:
The Beloved Community—Who We Are
The Beloved Community was vividly described by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. many decades ago. You can hear his words on this YouTube selection: https://youtu.be/ZmtOGXreTOU
We believe that his vision embodies the goal of our community and our churches. The Beloved Community is not exclusive, but inclusive of all. Its boundaries are porous, ready to receive all people in their uniqueness and differences. But it is a community in which the practice of active love challenges evils of all kinds that destroy the dignity of human beings, healthy relationships, and the sustainability of the communities of the world and the life of the planet. And yet, as evil is challenged, the community offers genuine love to all, even those caught holding the levers of evil systems.
To these ends, the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches of Brattleboro, and our partners seek to embody the Beloved Community through this joint undertaking, by joining hands, hearts and minds to advance three core values: deepening spirituality, inclusive hospitality, and compassionate justice.
About Our Three Core Values:
Our Traditions
First Baptist Church (FBC) has served the Brattleboro Community for over 200 years. FBC is a member of the Vermont-New Hampshire American Baptist Association. FBC is proudly part of the American Baptist Convention and tradition.
First United Methodist Church (FMC) has been in Brattleboro for over 200 years also. It is part of the Green Mountain District of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. FMC draws on the work of 18th Century founders of the Methodist movement, John, Charles and Suzanna Wesley, who believed in the importance of growing in relationship to God, through Jesus Christ, using the means of grace God has given us to grow in holiness, and sharing the love of God to all people in material and spiritual ways.
Our Location
Both FBC and FMC previously had brick church buildings in downtown Brattleboro where they offered worship and service to the community. They now share a newer facility located on Town Crier Drive, off Route 5, Putney Road, just north of and overlooking the intersection of the West and Connecticut Rivers. The building is accessible and there is ample parking.
This is located on unceded land of the indigenous peoples of the area, the Abenaki, whom we welcome and thank for their sacred stewardship of the land, water and wildlife.
Our Mission
The mission of the Beloved Community is to live into the Kingdom of God, by fully embracing the calling of God to grow in Christian discipleship, which leads us to actively practice an ever deepening spirituality, radical hospitality to all and compassionate justice, especially with those who are most marginalized by society.