Justice & Missions

Each Sunday, we share a responsive, communal "Call to Justice" prior to our offering time. This time reminds us that our financial giving is not just to keep the lights on, but that we are giving to a greater mission. Echoing Matthew 25, we believe that we may know Jesus' heart when we are proximate to the brokenhearted and those experiencing injustices in the world like hunger, homelessness, exclusion, and prejudice. 

On the 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month, we are collect donations of non-perishable snacks. On the 3rd Sunday, after worship, we pack snack bags for houseless people in the South Louisville Community. 

Suggested donation items: pop tarts, cookies, chips/chex mix, granola bars, snack crackers, fruit snacks, canned meat with pop-tops
(vienne sausages, tuna, etc.)

We also consistently need donations of gallon-size ziplock bags, and plastic utensils. 

Donations may be placed in the rolling basket in the back of the Sanctuary.

Located outside to the right of our Sanctuary entry doors, we have a "Blessing Box" that is a "take what you need, leave what you can" ministry. We do not supervise who takes food, but believe that those who need to eat - should eat.

If the Blessing Box is full, you may also put non-perishable items in the rolling basket in the back of the Sanctuary. 

In May 2024, we welcomed our new neighbors, the Food Literacy Project, by helping pack seed bags, watering in their greenhouse, plant in seed trays, weed the garden, and plant new crops as part of our "Garden Sunday." We had a brief time of worship "in the garden," and then had communion with each other, and with Creation. In summer 2024, the school-aged children in our daycare participated in FLP's "Farm to Fork" program that teaches children about basic gardening, all the way to preparing and eating what they have tended to and grown. 

As a church, we are welcoming and affirming of all persons, no matter their expression of sexuality.

Each June, we recognize PRIDE in worship and in our programming. The universal Church has long excluded or persecuted those who do not identify as cisgender and/or heterosexual, and we believe we play a small part in providing a space of healing and acceptance. If you have been excluded or harmed by the church, we are here to walk with you - not to change you. Whether you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally (meaning, you may identify as "straight"), you are welcome at Ridgewood. 

Each quarter, we collect basic items for the FRC office at PRP. In Fall of 2023, we collected around 100 sticks of deodorant. We repeated this collected in October of 2023. In February 2024, we are collecting belts, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant. 

For the last few years, we wrote encouragement notes for 150+ staff and faculty members of PRP High School. We included these in small goody bags that were delivered. 

We ordained our first female deacon in the mid-1980's. In 2024, Ridgewood began financially giving to Baptist Women in Ministry, an organization that advocates for and supports women who follow a calling into professional ministry. Learn more about Baptist Women in Ministry here.

In March of 2024, we welcomed Rev. Dr. Meredith Stone, Executive Director of BWIM, to preach. While she was here, we presented a check from a fundraising lunch the week prior and together, voted upon a churchwide Resolution to Support Women in Ministry. See more photos here. 

Across from the Blessing Box, we also have a "Good Dog Box" to honor Stark, a therapy dog of a previous staff member who we came to love. If you are passing through our campus with your furry friend, please take a treat for them! As St. Francis said, "Every creature is a word of God."

In June of 2022, we began a relationship with Amazing Grace Community of Faith, which is a United Methodist Congregation just around the corner from us. For the last two years, we have joined together for an ecumenical service of Baptism at Ridgewood; we join AG on Juneteenth for worship with them. 

Additionally, we have shared together in the joy of hosting Vacation Bible School in 2022 and 2023. VBS is open to all area children and provides free meals and a time of programming including a Bible Story, Science, Crafts, and Recreation.