Children's Ministry Mission Statement
"The mission of the Children's Ministries at Church of the Covenant is to provide quality Christian education, fellowship opportunities, mission projects, evangelism programs and authentic worship experiences that support the parents' efforts in leading their children to become disciples of Jesus Christ."

Children's Ministry News Oh, Happy Day! I realize that Holy Week is now over, but I just have to share my thoughts about the events on Palm Sunday. What an awesome day we had! If you were unable to be here, let me tell you that you missed out on a wonderful day. The warmth of the Holy Spirit was all around us during our special worship services, and the joy of the Lord could be seen in every child's face and heard in their precious voices! I'm so proud of our kids; they sang their little hearts out. Our children's Sunday school classes were packed! Oh, how I loved that. Each one, with their basket in tow, eagerly listened as I told them of the real story of Easter. In fact, the children knew the story so well that I probably should have just sat back and let them tell it. Again, I was so proud of them and felt so blessed to get to hear them "interrupt" my teaching to share what they already new about Jesus. After the lesson, the children had the best time hunting for treat-filled eggs. This year's egg hunt was incredibly successful. We even had a real Easter Bunny to hide the eggs and take pictures with the kids. A big "Thank You!" goes to Myra and Jimmy Duhon for arranging for the Easter Bunny to pass. Also, please be sure to thank our Easter Egg Hunt coordinators: Janice Vildibill, Ann Messinger, Lindsay Perry and Jennifer Blanchard. These ladies did a fabulous job, and I can't thank them enough. Finally, thanks so much to all of you who donated eggs, candy, and money this year. You all really came through with well over 1500 plastic eggs! Your generosity definitely made this event really special for the kids, and I just wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated. New Ministry Coming to Church of the Covenant - Summer '08 They desperately long to be grown up, but they're not quite ready to give up being a kid. They are too old for toys, but too young for dating. They are the targets of billions of dollars in marketing and reportedly have multi-billion dollar "buying power" (their parents' money, of course). Following the latest trends in fashion and technology, they put cell phones, iPods, and designer jeans at the top of their Christmas wish lists. I'm describing Pre-Teens, of course, or Tweens, as they are now called. This stage of childhood generally begins around age ten, typically lasts through age twelve, and is characterized by the increasing need for independence, for privacy, and for the acceptance of their peers. It is a significant stage for brain development, given that abstract thought and social conscience begin to develop during this time. These newly emerging capabilities make it possible for Tweens to begin formulating their core beliefs and to start to comprehend God in ways that they really couldn't before. Therefore, Tweens are primed and ready for greater, deeper faith development during these years. My experience with Tweens has taught me that they are not content to be lumped together with first or second graders nor do they fit in well with the teenagers. They're somewhere in between the two, but they really just want to be part of a group where they truly feel like they belong. So that's just what we're going give them--- a ministry that is just for them!! Beginning at the end of this summer, Covenant will launch a new Pre-Teen program for Tweens who will enter the 4th-6th grades in the fall. Sunday afternoon activities for this ministry are being designed to appeal specifically to Tweens and will include such things as games, computer time in the new computer lab, off-campus service projects, educational field trips, fellowship time, and plenty of fun! In addition to these weekly activities, we hope to take the Tweens on camping trips, spiritual retreats, and maybe even a mission trip next year. I am so excited about this new ministry that I can hardly sleep sometimes, and I know that our pre-teens are going to love the things we have planned for them. The Kick-Off Party for the Tweens Ministry is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 26, so save that date!! More details are to come about this program, but for now, please join us in prayer that we will be successful in rooting these children, oops I mean pre-teens, in the saving grace of Jesus Christ through this ministry. Leigh Nugent

Children's Ministry Expectations

Our Expectations of the Children
Children should make every effort to:

• Be on time to Sunday School, TeamKID, and/or other programs.
• Bring his/her Bible each week.
• Participate in all lesson activities to the best of his/her ability.
• Be involved in Children's Mission Project(s), Christmas Pageant, etc.
• Respect and obey all teachers, leaders, and coaches.
• Respect the personal space and property of others.

Your Expectations of Our Children's Ministry Leaders
Teachers/Leaders/Coaches will make every effort to:

• Pray for the children of the Church of the Covenant.
• Arrive early to Sunday School, TeamKID or Children's Worship.
• Present a well-prepared lesson.
• Attend all offered workshops and/or teacher training sessions.
• Maintain a classroom atmosphere that is fun but also conducive to learning.
• End the lesson on time.
• Be a positive, Christian role-model.

Our Expectations of Our Parents
We ask that parents make every effort to:

• Pray for the children and children's ministries of the Church of the Covenant.
• Make the children's programs offered at Covenant a priority for your family.
• Escort your child(ren) to class.
• Help your child(ren) to arrive on time and to remember his/her Bible.
• Ask your child(ren) questions about the lessons each week.
• Discuss and expect appropriate behavior for Sunday School, TeamKID, and Children's Worship.
• Prayerfully consider serving in children's ministry.

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Church Nursery

Nursery: Room 2 in the Children's Building

During all Sunday morning services, childcare is provided for infants, toddlers, and Pre-Schoolers. There are two paid caregivers on staff who are available from 8:15 am - 12:15 pm. These ladies are excellent with small children, so you can rest assured that your child will be well taken care of while you participate in Worship and Sunday School. Moreover, the church orders criminal background checks and contacts personal references for all our nursery staff.

Childcare can be provided for all weekly programs such as Bible studies, music practices, and for other special church events, upon request. Every effort will be made to meet each request for childcare. However, at least one week's advance notice is required in order to staff the nursery. To make your request, contact the Nursery Coordinator or the church office.

For more information about the Nursery, please contact Angela Harris, Nursery Coordinator, or Leigh Nugent, Acting Director of Children's Ministry.

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Children's Sunday School

Early Christian Awareness: Room 4 in the Children's Building

Teacher: Jennifer Manuel                                    Curriculum: ECA

ECA is a learning program designed for children ages 6 months to 3 years. Using music, play, and puppets, children learn about God's creation. Repetition reinforces learning in this weekly 30-minute class. Parents who wish their children to participate should take their children to the nursery during the Sunday school hour on Sunday mornings. Parents are welcome to observe this class at anytime.


PreK-1st Grade (Non-Readers and Beginning Readers): Room 14 in the Children's Building

Teacher: Leigh Nugent                          Curriculum: Group's Hands-On Bible Curriculum
Teaching Assistant: Shirley Mason

This curriculum's title says it all; it's hands-on. Students learn by doing, not by watching. Teachers use fun, real-world objects to teach Bible truths. These colorful, child-friendly gizmos (a.k.a. teaching tools) engage children through their senses. These are age-appropriate Bible lessons your kids can touch, taste, see, hear and smell!


1st - 3rd Grade (Readers): Room 13 in the Children's Building

Teacher: Angela Harris                     Curriculum: Cokesbury's One-Room Sunday School
Teaching Assistant: Lesley Nutter

The children in this class will enjoy the variety of strategies used to present the Bible stories in this curriculum. Playing games, singing songs, participating in skits, and completing arts and crafts projects are just a few of the fun activities that help reinforce what the students are studying in the Bible.

For more information about these classes, please contact the teacher of each class or email Leigh at children@covenantum.org.

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Pre-Teen Sunday School

Pre-Teen Class (Grades 4-6): Room 12 in the Children's Building

Teachers: Terry Chambers & Jodi Wolfe                  Curriculum: Grapple

This exciting new curriculum is specifically designed to address the issues that Pre-Teens "grapple" with in their everyday lives. Tweens in grades 4-6 and their teachers will enjoy creating their own online community at MyGrapple.com as a part of this class. The website is completely safe for children and provides Tween-friendly bible games and other activities that relate to the Sunday School lessons.

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Children's Worship

Children's Worship at Church of the Covenant provides age-appropriate worship experiences as well as lessons on worship for children in Pre-K through 5th grade. The intent is to prepare the children for participation in the full congregational worship service (a.k.a. "Big Church"). Although other children's ministry programs offered at Covenant may sometimes appear similar to parts of this ministry, Children's Worship is different in that it aims to be centrally focused on the worship of God. Therefore, Children's Worship should not be viewed as an alternative or substitute for Sunday School or TeamKID.

Through participation in Children's Worship, children are exposed to the following topics and/or experiences throughout the year:

Children's Worship is designed for children age 4 through those in 2nd or 3rd grade, but 4th and 5th graders are welcome to participate. The leaders of this ministry are mindful of the challenge to minister to the ranges in age, reading skills, and comprehension. Instead of a sermon, the children are presented with an interactive lesson about worship. These lessons incorporate a variety of teaching strategies such as skits, scientific experiments, re-enactments of Bible stories, or small group/partner activities.

Children's Worship is offered on Sundays during both the 9:00 and 11:00 services except on Communion Sundays (1st Sunday of the month) and except on other special occasions. The same lesson and order of worship are used for both services. Both traditional and contemporary worship styles are utilized during Children's Worship at various times throughout the year. The following elements of worship may be included, depending upon which worship style is being used at the time.

Call to Worship Songs/Music Responsive Reading/Litany Creed - What do we believe? Gloria Patri

Prayer & The Lord's Prayer Offering Scripture & Lesson Benediction

For more information about Children's Worship, please contact Christy Chadick or email Leigh Nugent at children@covenantum.org.

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TeamK.I.D.

TeamK.I.D. is a fun, high-energy ministry for children in 1st-5th grades that encourages kids to know Jesus Christ and grow in a relationship with Him. All parts of TeamK.I.D. - Bible stories, Scripture memory, missions, and recreation - connect to teach life lessons to kids. TeamK.I.D. meets on Sunday afternoons during the school year from 3:30-5:30 pm. This fall, TeamK.I.D. will be featuring a new program, "Word Up!"

Word Up! Schedule:
3:30-3:45 Check-in, Memory Verse & Indoor Games
3:45-4:15 Word Up! Bible Time
4:15-4:45 Snacks, Crafts and Discovery
4:45-5:15 Recreation and Games
5:15-5:30 Cool-Down and Dismissal

Upon completing this exciting program, your child will recall each book of the Old Testament and its place in the Bible, memorize a key verse for each book, and comprehend God's intentional placement of that book in the Bible.

Please prayerfully consider registering your child in this terrific program! Attendance each Sunday is highly recommended but NOT required! Help us build a strong foundation that will ensure your child's success as disciple of Christ.

For more information about TeamKID please contact Lynley Jones, Team Coach, or email Leigh Nugent, Acting Director of Children's Ministry, at children@covenantum.org.

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Vacation Bible School

This high-energy summer program is designed for elementary school-age children. Rotating through various stations, including music, games, crafts, science lab, and Bible story, children have great fun while learning how to apply Biblical lessons to everyday life. Each year a mission project is adopted. VBS is usually held the third week of July from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Though the program is free to church members and to the general public, donations are accepted and greatly appreciated. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the program can contact the church office or Jennifer Manuel, VBS Director.

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Children's Council

Chair - Leigh Nugent
Secretary -
Children's Bible Study Leader - Lynley Jones
Children's Worship Coordinators - Christy Chadick
Children's & Youth Sunday School Director - Leigh Nugent
Children's Music Coordinator - Jodi Wolfe
Publicity - Jennifer Manuel
Members at Large - Members of Sub-Committees

Children's Ministry Sub-Committees

Children's Sunday School Team
SS Director - Leigh Nugent
Attendance Secretary - Lisa Guidry
Curriculum Coordinator - Jodi Wolfe
SS Nurturer - Veronica Stacy
Children SS Teachers & Assts. - Carl Frantz, Lesley Nutter, Terry Chambers, Mary Fontenot, Jennifer Manuel & Jodi Wolfe

Children's Worship Team
Coordinators - Leigh Nugent & Christy Chadick
9:00 Worship Leaders & Assistants - Christy Chadick, Sarah Leleux & Jennifer Blanchard
11:00 Worship Leaders & Assistants - Leigh Nugent, Susie Blanchard & Sam Ball
Substitute Leader - Jennifer Manuel
Rep. on Worship Committee - Christy Chadick

Children's Bible Study Team
Leader (Coach) - Lynley Jones
Assistant Coaches - Lindsay Perry, Janice Vildibill, Jennifer Richardson, Donna Fare, Ann Messinger & Alana Mouton
Snack Coordinator - Janice Vildibill
Mission Project Coach - Donna Fare

Vacation Bible School Team
Director - Jennnifer Manuel
Assistant to the Director - Leigh Nugent
Assembly Leader - TBA
Station Leaders - TBA
Crew Leaders - TBA