Education

Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

BCOC’s youngest members are a dynamic and growing group.  We have an excellent number of paid and volunteer staff who serve in our nursery, toddler, and preschool suites on Sunday mornings during worship, Sunday school, and on Wednesday evenings.

2s-3s and 4s- Kindergarten enjoy Bible stories, with age-appropriate lessons and supporting activities during the Sunday School hour.

Nursery care is available for Babies – 3s during worship & fellowship time, 8:30am – 10:30am. Babies and Toddlers receive consistent care through the Sunday school hour as well.

4s – Kindergarteners are invited to be in worship through the Children’s Sermon after which they may dismiss to Preschool Worship Care, led by volunteers.

Children

Children are valued at BCOC. Their presence is welcomed in worship. All children are invited to participate in the Children’s Sermon – a weekly ritual appreciated by children of all ages. “Covenant Kits” contain pencils, crayons, scratch paper and a kid-friendly worship bulletin with activities that support the main scripture text of the day. These colorful bags are kept in the foyer outside the sanctuary and on the 2nd floor just outside the balcony entrance. They are available to regular attendees and visiting families.
 
We have excellent leadership in our 3 children’s Sunday school classes (divided: 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th), 10:30 – 11:30 AM.  The children’s classes are instrumental in the church’s recycling program, annual dramatic presentations to the adult classes, and participation in Children’s Day. We capitalize on our low teacher/student ratio and try to make decisions that concern children’s Christian education in the best interest of individuals. Children are known by name in this loving congregation.

Youth

7th -12th grade students engage in spiritual growth, rich dialogue and relationship building in and outside of regular church hours. They enjoy service-learning projects such as 30-Hour Famine, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, collecting and delivering items or services to local agencies, international mission experiences, volunteering in children’s ministries, leading worship for Youth Sunday. They also enjoy summer camp, fall and spring retreats, Sunday Nite Lite, “Youth Lunch” every 5th Sunday, white-water rafting, Six Flags, just hanging out together and much more.

Missions

All of our children and students are involved in missions. Preschoolers and children learn about people in our community and world who serve others in the name of Christ primarily on Wednesday evenings in Mission-Friends groups. They are also engaged in serving others in our community and beyond on a regular basis. Youth enjoy hands-on involvement in service and missions in the community, in other parts of the country annually, and in a bi-annual international experience for Senior High students.

Preschool 
Nursery - Room 103
      Linda Martin, Dana McNiel
Toddlers - Room 104
      Nira Pareek
2 Year Olds - 101- 102
      Jill Holley, Suzann Smith
3, 4, 5 Year Olds & Kindergarten
      Room 106 & 108
      Janet Anthony, Brandy Cruz,
      Michelle & Mark McClintock,
      Stacey Young
 
 
Elementary-aged Children
1st & 2nd Grades - Room 214
            Robin Geurs, Janet Goodwin
3rd & 4th Grades - Room 213
            Ann Wade
5th & 6th Grades - Room 212
            Patrick Chappell and Amy Woodward
 
 
Youth
7th - 9th Grades - Room 210
      Sharon Chappell, Chuck Rogers
10th - 12th Grades - Room 209
      Laura Gilmour, Drew Lasater,
      Rebecca Richardson
 

Adults

 
Worship, Bible study and missions anchor the program of worship and service at Baptist Church of the Covenant.

The primary worship service is conducted on Sunday mornings, beginning at 9 a.m. This is followed by a period of refreshments in the Fellowship Hall in which visitors and members get to mingle and share about the work of the church and the needs of the people.

This is followed by an hour of Bible study, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Classes are designed for every age group and interest. See the Preschool, Children’s and Youth Department for studies unique to children.  Below is a listing of Adult Classes.

Most adult classes are intergenerational and are for any adults who wish to attend.
 
For Sunday School resources click here for www.faithelement.com/sessions 
 
Dialogue - Room 204
               The Dialogue Sunday School class is a diverse group of adults of all ages
               who explore issues of personal spirituality in an informal and
               supportive setting. This class, which usually numbers between
               18 and 24 people, meets each Sunday to study and fellowship with
               each other. They are always open to new people and new ideas
               for study opportunities.
               This class is facilitated by various class members.
God’s Lighthouse - Room 205
               Class members of "God's Lighthouse" want to share
               God's Light in their families, communities, and world. They have about
               14 members, ages 40 and up. They use the Smyth and Helwys' Formation
               Series, with a different topic or unit each month. They are ready
               to welcome anyone who wants to visit or join their Bible Study group.
               This class is led by Rosalind McClanahan.            
Helpers - Room 207
               The Helpers class is made up of a small, loving group of "very special"
               BCOC members. They like to be busy learning and helping others!
               They love to read, listen to and talk about their favorite Bible stories.
               They enjoy making crafts that show God's love for his people.
               They always pray for each other, their families and fellow church
               members. They look for opportunities to help the church in a variety
               of ways. Most importantly, they show all of us how easy it
               is to love others.
               This class is led by Bill Smith, Cindy Ponder, and Nancy Yarbrough.
Characteristics of GOD - Room 206
               This class will study books of the Bible to find and discuss specific refernces
               to the characteristics of God so that attendees might know and follow Him
               more clearly. Attendees will teach and gain insight from each other as
               survey scripture to increase knowledge of God.
               The class is facilitated by Gail Hill.
Peacemongers - Room 108 BMMC
               The PeaceMongers Sunday school class is intergenerational. The curriculum
               is generally the study of a book related to some biblically-based
               social justice issue, although no subject is off limits. The teaching
               style is one of discussion with class members facilitating.
               The average attendance is between 15 and 20.
               Rod Davis, and Zelma Patillo facilitate the class.
Quakers - Room 110 BMMC
               The "Quasi-Quaker" class at BCOC consists of individuals who are
               seeking silence in community. We say "quasi-Quaker" because we do not
               adhere strictly to the practice of silence for the entire hour.
               In true Baptist tradition, we spend the first part of the hour discussing
               prayer concerns and other personal matters that members bring offer.
               From that, we go into silence. Members are encouraged to speak
               to the group during the silent time if they feel they have been given
               a message or insight from the Light that is pertinent to the group.
               This class is facilitated by Ellen Dossett.
Seekers - Room 203
               The Seekers class studies a passage of Scripture each week.
               Our age distribution gives us a deep well of accumulated experience
               from which to draw. We are not so concerned to arrive at final answers,
               but to help each other work on the important questions that we each Face.
               This class is facilitated by Morgan Ponder.
Youngsters - Room 114 BMMC
               Don't be confused. The Youngsters class is for those who feel young
               at heart. Members range in age from 30 to ... well,
               let's just say ages vary. They use Smyth and Helwys literature
               as a guide for Bible study and always have a LIVELY discussion on
               how to apply the lessons to everyday life. 
               This class is taught by Lloyd Shelton.
Folks - Room 203
               Since its beginning, in addition to its use for spiritual celebration and
               connection to a Higher Power, music has been a common vessel for
               the passing down of stories through generations. Each Sunday,
               we will use two to three "modern" pieces of music (folk and other genres)
               to facilitate conversation and connect the dots between Biblical
               Christianity and the living out of our own stories in faith.
               Come join a group of "regular folk" to listen to good music,
               drink a cup of coffee, and share good conversation about faith.
               Led by Ashley Gilbert and Sara Hoover
The Somethings - Room 104 BMMC
               The "Somethings" Class is intended to provide BCOC's growing population of
               twenty- and thirty-somethings in student or career mode with a
               platform for asking "Who am I?" "Who is God?" and
               "Why do my answers to these questions matter?"
               Led by Valerie Burton and Sharon Chappell
 
               BMMC is the Bock Mayse Ministry Center