2027 GIVING CAMPAIGN

Let’s Make Something beautiful

Your generosity sustains and creates the beauty of our faith community.

UPCOMING CAMPAIGN DATES

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2026

Official campaign launch

Official campaign launch
SUNDAYS IN NOVEMBER 2026

Stories of beauty

“What I Find Most Beautiful About Covenant” Stories
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2026

Commitment Sunday

Bring your pledge card or pledge online
A LETTER TO OUR COMMUNITY

Dear Covenant Family,

Here’s a question for you: What’s the most valuable thing in your life?

And there it is: one of the most valuable things in our lives is beauty. God’s beauty. Creation’s beauty. The lovely, radiant goodness of the world.

Read the full campaign letter

Patrick Chappell · Council on Mission Chair  /  Chuck Poole · Interim Pastor

You might say “family” or “friends.” You might say “faith” or “love,” “justice” or “joy” – and you’d be right, of course. Each of these is a priceless gift from God.
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But there’s something else, too, shining in the faces of family and friends, glowing in acts of love and justice, generosity, and celebration. When we see it, we smile and say, “Ah, look! How wonderful! How beautiful!”
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And there it is: one of the most valuable things in our lives is beauty. God’s beauty. Creation’s beauty. The lovely, radiant goodness of the world.
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In our life together at Baptist Church of the Covenant, God invites us to give thanks for this beauty – and to make something beautiful together. The beauty of the Gospel in action. The beauty of Scripture and preaching. The beauty of singing together, learning together, and serving together, from the theological discussions in Sunday School classes to the exuberant dancing at Camp BCOC, from the life-giving connection to our sister church in Cuba to the community created at Common Table. Ah, look! How wonderful! How beautiful!
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Over the next three weeks, we’ll be reflecting on the importance of investing in this beautiful community, financially and otherwise, with boldness and imagination. In worship, we will hear from our fellow church members as they share stories on what they find most beautiful about Covenant.  On November 22, we’ll commemorate our commitment to beauty in our worship service and hold a “Celebration of Beauty” at the Thanksgiving Potluck.
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Mark your calendars – and start thinking about what’s most beautiful to you about Covenant. It is not to be missed!
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Thank you again for the radiance you bring to the table. This really is some of the most valuable work we can do together. Let’s make something beautiful!
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Grace and peace,
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Patrick Chappell — Council on Mission Chair
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Chuck Poole — Interim Pastor

OUR SHARED BEAUTY / 01

BEAUTY IN WORSHIP

Each Sunday, we gather to praise God and give thanks, bringing the beauty of our full selves, our hopes, questions, struggles, joys, and grief.

Creative worship

Worship at Covenant is creative and shaped by the gifts of our entire community. Through choral anthems, special music, hymns, visual art, prayers, and stories, we experience God’s mystery and delight.

Grace beyond Sunday

When we worship, we do more than simply show up. We encounter God’s beauty and receive Christ’s grace. We then carry that beauty and grace with us into the world.

OUR SHARED BEAUTY / 02

BEAUTY IN GROWTH

Faith is not static. It grows and deepens as we listen, learn, question, and open ourselves to God’s presence.

Room for every generation

At Covenant, there is a place for everyone to grow closer to God and deepen their faith in Christ. Children, youth, and adults are invited into spaces of curiosity, conversation, prayer, and reflection.

Learning together

Through Bible studies, youth groups, summer camp, and other opportunities, we ask questions, explore Scripture, and discover new ways of seeing our faith.

OUR SHARED BEAUTY / 03

BEAUTY IN COMMUNITY

At Covenant, we recognize that community is a beautiful gift of our faith, for every person needs a place of love and acceptance.

Make room for one another

Worship at Covenant is creative and shaped by the gifts of our entire community. Through choral anthems, special music, hymns, visual art, prayers, and stories, we experience God’s mystery and delight.

Discover belonging

When we gather across generations and backgrounds to share meals, stories, laughter, and life, we discover the beauty of belonging and the joy of being part of something larger than ourselves.

OUR SHARED BEAUTY / 04

BEAUTY IN GOD’S JUSTICE AND CHRIST’S SERVICE

Every person carries sacred worth and deserves compassion and hope. That is why at Covenant, we seek to serve and stand alongside the poor and oppressed.

Care for our neighbors

At Common Table, we help our neighbors by offering food, clothing, and companionship to those in need.

Justice across our state and nation

Through our ministry partnerships with organizations like Alabama Arise, Bread for the World, and the Kairos Center, we connect with people across the state and nation to create channels for God’s justice to flow.

Connections around the world

When we deepen our relationships with our sister church in Cuba and our partners in Uganda, we witness how God’s beauty and joy flourish around the globe.

OUR SHARED BEAUTY / 05

BEAUTY IN CHURCH LIFE

The beauty of our mission is found not only in what we do, but in the people and places that make it possible.

Spaces that serve our mission

From the sanctuary where we worship, to the Bock-Mayse Ministry Center where we serve, to the classrooms where we learn and grow, these spaces hold the stories of our life together. They are places where faith takes shape, relationships grow, and God’s grace becomes tangible.

People who nurture our community

Our pastors and staff help nurture this community with wisdom, care, and vision. Our deacons offer faithful care and support, embodying Christ’s love in everyday acts of compassion. Our Council on Mission provides thoughtful leadership behind the scenes, helping our shared vision flourish with clarity and purpose.

The beauty you make possible

Your giving makes this possible by supporting the people, spaces, and resources that sustain the beauty of our shared life.

OUR GENEROSITY AT WORK

2027
Operating Budget

View detailed budget

$1,028,459

Total operating budget

$1,028,459

Total operating budget

58%  Personnel
24%  Operations¹
11%  Ministry & Missions Partners²
4%  Spiritual Formation
2% Worship
1% Community³

Operations¹

¹ Operations includes Office, Property, Council on Mission, and Communications.

Ministry & Missions²

² Ministry & Missions Partners amount is 11% of the total budget, but it is 12% of budgeted unrestricted contributions.

Community³

³ Community includes the Congregational Life, Special Events, and Deacons.

MAKE A PLEDGE FOR 2027

Making a financial pledge to next year’s budget is an act of faith, hope, and shared responsibility.

Live generously

Your annual pledge is a personal commitment to live generously, supporting the ministries, mission, and vision of our church in the year ahead.

Plan with care

Each pledge helps our leadership plan wisely, ensuring that our programs, staff, outreach, and sacred spaces are funded with care and intention.

Create beauty

Your generosity sustains and creates the beauty of our faith community.

Room to adjust

And remember – pledges can be adjusted at any time if your financial circumstances change.
Find your starting point

NEW TO PLEDGING OR GIVING?

If you’re new to giving at BCOC, thank you for considering this beautiful step of faith!  You might wonder: How much should I pledge?

This is a personal decision, shaped by your own financial reality and spiritual commitment. Many in our community use 10% of income (a tithe) as a guiding practice (Gen 14:18-20, 28:20-22; Lev 27:30; Deut 14:22-23). Others give more out of abundance, and some give less during times of financial challenge.

Whatever amount you choose, we invite you to give with joy, consistency, and purpose. No gift is too small. Every pledge is a meaningful way to participate in the ongoing work of God through our church. Together, our generosity becomes a powerful way to embody the vision we share.

ALREADY A FAITHFUL GIVER?

If you have pledged or given to BCOC in the past, thank you for your faithful generosity! Your giving has made our church and our world a more beautiful place.

As we look toward 2027, we invite you to continue investing in the beauty at Covenant and beyond. If you are able, would you consider increasing your pledge by one percentage point this year? For example, if you pledged 8% of your income last year, might you pledge 9% in 2027? Even a small step forward in generosity helps us meet the growing needs of our ministry—ensuring that we can continue celebrating and creating beauty in every corner of our lives.

MONTHLY GIVING CHART

Monthly contributions by annual income and giving percentage

HOW DO I MAKE A PLEDGE?

You may complete your pledge online using the link below.

Make a Pledge Online

AT WORSHIP OR BY MAIL

You can also fill out a pledge card and bring it with you to worship on Commitment Sunday, November 22, or mail it to the church office.

Change your Missions allocation

Optional: Missions Partnerships and Ministries

If you would like monies from your pledge to be allocated differently to our Missions Partnerships and Ministries, visit this form.

Choose a different allocation

HOW CAN I FULFILL MY PLEDGE?

Choose the giving method that works for you.

Automatic Bill Pay Giving

Recurring contributions through your bank

Most banks and credit unions can handle recurring contributions for you. You can set up contributions online through the bank’s “Bill Pay” service. The church will receive a paper check by mail for the amount you designate.

Online Giving

One-time or recurring gifts through Realm

Give through Realm. You can contribute by ACH debit from your bank account, a debit card, or a credit card. Online giving gives you the option to schedule a one-time or recurring contributions. This option requires the church to pay transaction fees, so please choose to contribute those fees to make sure your gift has the biggest impact.

Give through Realm

Personal Check

During Sunday worship or by mail

Place it in the offering plate during Sunday worship or mail it to the church office, 2117 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Cash

Use an envelope with your name

Place your cash contribution in an envelope with your name on it and drop it in the offering plate during Sunday worship.

Giving Generously in Other Ways

Investment accounts, IRA distributions and planned gifts

You can contribute from investment accounts: a non-IRA investment (appreciated stock) or an IRA (Qualified Charitable Distribution, which may count toward your Required Minimum Distribution). Consult your tax adviser for details and guidance. Contact the church office for information before making these contributions. You may also include Baptist Church of the Covenant in your will.