Baptist Church of the Covenant
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Where Faith Comes To Life
MinistriesMembers of Baptist Church of the Covenant commit themselves to, at least, one ministry per year. Most ministry involvement is ongoing, however, some require only periodic involvement. Consider how you will be involved.
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Cahaba Valley Healthcare - This organization is dedicated to providing quality healthcare to the underserviced, primarily Hispanics. In addition to financial support, BCOC provides its facilities for an annual screening location.
Contact: Lynda Grooms
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ChariTree - During Advent, members may contribute financially to a variety of BCOC’s ministries. Gift cards are given so that donations may be received as Christmas gifts. This is an annual event and coordinated through the Ministries Committee. |
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Crop Walk - A cooperative walk with several Southside community churches for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for hunger related issues. It is an annual event. |
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Cuba Partnership - We have established a sister relationship with the Shalom Baptist Church of Boca de Mariel, Cuba. Our covenant with them includes praying for them, communicating with them, visiting them, helping them to visit us, and occasionally helping them in more tangible ways.
Contact: Lynda Grooms
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Greater Birmingham Ministries - An ecumenical, interfaith organization that responds to poverty issues through direct services, systems change/economic justice and community education. While we contribute financially, BCOC also participates in an annual canned food drive.
Contact: Robin Geurs
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Mt. Meru – Mt. Meru University in Arusha, Tanzania, is a school offering degrees in theology, education, and other fields. Don and Esther Gardner, BCOC members, are volunteer leaders there. We occasionally send volunteers to help with HIV/AIDS testing, teaching, and physically improving the grounds or buildings. We also offer financial and prayer support.
Contact: Jack Brymer
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Perry County - An annual trip is made to Perry County to provide a book fair for children. Games and snacks are included, as well as the distribution of free books. This is done in cooperation with Alabama’s CBF’s and Sowing Seeds of Hope.
Contact: Robin Geurs
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Trunk or Treat - An annual neighborhood celebration on Halloween night. Church members dress up and provide games, prizes, books and food out of their car trunks for the children in the church’s neighborhood.
Contact: Valerie Burton
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Quarterly Events
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Baby College - The newest ministry at BCOC is in its initial phases with hopes to have a pilot program ready for the Fall of 2009. Baby College will be nine consecutive Saturdays of pre-natal education for parents in our community.
Contact: John McLendon
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Birmingham Hospitality Network – Our church partners with other churches to provide temporary housing for homeless individuals and families. We usually do not exceed 15 guests. Church members provide meals, hosting in the evening, and spend the night. Volunteers usually choose only one evening during the week to participate.
Contact: Linda Martin, Ann Wade
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Ongoing Events
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Grocery Ministry – Each Saturday, volunteers transport senior adults to the grocery store. The volunteer determines the frequency of his/her involvement.
Contact: Betty Bock
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HIV/AIDS Ministry – This ministry involves volunteering at the 1917 Clinic, UAB’s HIV/Aids Clinic. Volunteers can help in a number of ways such as putting together information packets for new clients, doing intake interviews with clients, following up with clients about scheduled appointments, and other ways.
Contact: Malcolm Marler
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Internationals – Each Monday night, volunteers meet one-on-one at church with people from other countries to help them learn to speak and read English better. This group does not meet from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information, click here.
Contact: Eljee Bentley, Carol Dean, Mary Helen Dixon
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Justice Information Forum (JIF) – Volunteers find ways to educate themselves and others on justice related issues. They take actions to seek to bring about the passage of more just laws, such as letter writing campaigns to legislators, distributing petitions for Alabama constitutional reform, going to congressional hearings, and promoting the use of fair trade products.
Contact: Suzanne Martin, Daniel Mitchell
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The Rogers’ Benevolence Fund - Received on the first Sunday of every month, these financial gifts are used to provide vouchers for assistance requests that come to the church office daily. It is named for Bill and Marie Rogers, charter members.
Contact: Jean Thomason
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Shepherd’s Center - Senior Adults in the Southside area gather daily at Southside Baptist Church for education and a hot lunch. BCOC provides transportation and financial support, in addition to small game prizes.
Contact: Eljee Bentley
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SouthTown Leadership - Twice a month on Thursday evenings, BCOC hosts a mentoring program for the youth of SouthTown. Dinner, guest speakers, and field trips are included. The regular program has a summer break but special field trips continue.
Contact: Jill Holley
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Sunday Sack Lunches – Each Sunday, after Sunday School, different Sunday School classes put together sack lunches. These are taken to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and given to those who have gathered in their parking lot.
Contact: Stevie Hoven
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Support Teams – Teams of members work together to minister to an individual or family in need. The types of things they do depends on the needs of the person(s) involved. Some activities might include visiting the person, providing transportation, providing meals, helping them move, etc.
Contact: Judy Bridgers
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