Education

The Education Ministry is committed to carrying out a comprehensive Christian Education program for the entire congregation. We strive to provide intergenerational learning experiences and small group opportunities for children, youth, and adults to be nurtured and grow in faith. The average Church School attendance for the year 2008 was 200 people, with 5 adult classes, 2 youth classes, 2 elementary classes, and 3 preschool classes.  Sunday School classes begin at 9:30.

The five adult classes deal with a wide range of topics each week, with various leaders conducting the discussions.

• Biblical Perspectives

• The Becomers

• The Mighty Acts of God

• The Faith Builders

• Young Adults

Preschool children share space and supplies on Sunday mornings with the Weekday School. During both worship services nursery care is offered for infants and toddlers, and during the 11 o'clock worship service an extended session for 3-5-year-olds is offered.

The Elementary children (1^st through 5^th graders) study Bible stories using the Covenant People curriculum of the PCUSA.

Youth education includes both Church School classes on Sunday mornings as well as Sunday evening fellowship, worship, and service opportunities. SYNAGO is the student-led Bible study for Senior High students on Sunday evenings. It meets in homes and each session is led by two senior youth and supported by two adults. As mentioned in the Music Ministries section, there are also Youth Bell Choir and Youth Choir practices on Sunday evenings.

During the summer, youth attend the Massanetta Middle School Conference in Virginia or the Montreat Youth Conference.     The Presbytery's camp facility at Old Fort, Camp Grier, is also a possibility for independent youth campers during the summer.  On mission trips to the Gulf coast the youth are housed in the facilities of the Baytreat Lodge that is part of the ministry of Government Street Presbyterian Church of Mobile. 

Midweek, on Wednesday afternoons September - May, from 3:30-6:30, the LOGOS Program involves children and youth in a variety of activities involving Bible study, music, recreation, and other relationship-building activities, finishing with a nutritious evening meal and fellowship time around the tables with adult table parents and teachers.
 

The Weekday School is another facet of the Education ministry of BMPC. It is a consistent strong positive mission outreach program of the church, and it celebrated its 20^th birthday in 2008. The weekday school provides a quality preschool program for approximately seventy church and community children ages 1 to 5.  Click here to read about the Weekday School in more detail.

The Library is also an important part of the Education Ministry.  The BMPC library was established in 1984, and  several church families contributed to make it possible. At the present time, the collection includes over 1200 books, for the purpose of providing resources for members to study and learn and to teach others, to develop personal devotions and prayer life, to help with personal issues, and to enjoy reading for pleasure.

The Library Committee keeps the book collection in order and makes choices for new selections. The members also process books to be placed on the shelves and write overdue reminder cards.  The committee is made up of Jack and Nancy Beaver, Isbell Behrer, and Lucy Hestir.

Acquisition of books is determined by church budget monies, donations, and memorials. The sign-out policy is that a person will sign the card and place it in the basket at the door.  Three weeks is usually allowed, but books can be renewed many times.  

 The card catalogue lists all books by author and by title. The shelf categories are in alphabetical order, and the books are arranged alphabetically by author, except for biographies, which are alphabetical by person. The bookshelves were made by Dick Shelor while he was pastor of the church. Also, as part of the library, the Centennial material is archived, and there are pictures of some of John Mack Walker's wood sculptures.