MIDDLE SCHOOL: WHAT IS COFG?

What is COFG?

WHAT IS COFG?

Those letters represent a core element of our Middle School at TCA, something BY SCOTT BERTHEL, HEAD OF MIDDLE we treasure SCHOOL in our Middle School world. What is it, you wonder? Some significant pedagogical approach or curricular standard for educating Middle School students, perhaps? An acronym representing a certification or special training just for our Middle School teachers? The abbreviation for some element of technology that is used only with Middle School students? No, it is simply an abbreviation for our Community of Faith Gathering.

What we once called our “Chapel Time” we now call our Community of Faith Gathering. “Chapel” is certainly not a poor choice of a title, since it refers to a place of worship that has no pastor or priest and no permanent congregation; indeed, many people in our school still refer to this time as such. But since the word “Chapel” refers primarily to a place rather than an activity, we chose to apply a new title to this aspect of our school. This was done for two main reasons.

First, it emphasizes the people over the location. We want our Middle School students to recognize that they are part of something larger than themselves and to learn how to live well in community because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Second, it offers a sense of flexibility to reflect the many different things we do in this time and place. By simply adding a comma before the word “gathering” we can change it from a noun to a verb: we are a community of faith, gathering to sing, to learn, to play, to laugh, to serve, to support each other and so on. Whereas one week we may have a traditional time of worship and teaching from the Scripture, the next may be an opportunity to apply biblical truth as kids participate in a House competition or service activity.

As we have changed the title from “Chapel” to “Community of Faith Gathering” and now include a broader range of activities than we once did, it has also been a joy to see several Middle School teachers collaborate to bring this vision to

We have created a unique space for the entire community of fifth- through eighth-graders to experience God’s love and then practice extending that love toward each other.

reality each week. I asked each one to share some additional perspective about why they want to be a part of COFG, why they value it and what their hopes are for it.

KERRY DeWEESE: I think one of the best parts of COFG is how the kids are always looking forward to what they will be doing in COFG. I think we have done a great job of switching things up from week to week, which keeps the kids engaged. When we do have a more “traditional chapel,” having different people speaking about relevant subjects for middleschoolers has been a real positive. Events such as the Lip Sync competition, Talent Show and student forums have allowed us to see what amazing talent we have in the Middle School. MARCELLE HAMILTON: I just have to say it is an absolute privilege to work on this team. I love the creativity, energy and deep love for our students! I consider this bonus part of my job one of the sweetest blessings!!!

BRIAN SPENCE: The thing I love most about COFG is the way we have created a unique space for the entire community of fifth- through eighth-graders to experience God’s love and then practice extending that love toward each other. And as no two students are alike, neither are any two Community of Faith Gatherings. COFG is not the classroom, but an extension of it. It is not church but mirrors it. It is not PE nor athletics but often exercises that kind of fun. Community matters in life, and it matters at TCA. So, our COFG time is our intentional effort to cultivate it.

What are we doing next Friday? You’ll have to wait and see!

OPPOSITE PAGE - The eighth-grade worship team leading a time of singing for the entire Middle School during a Community of Fath Gathering (COFG) ABOVE - As a way of exercising gratitude during the Thanksgiving season, middle-schoolers did four projects (one for each Middle School House): writing thank-you letters to Addision firefighters, creating care bags for the homeless in our area and crafting ornaments both for TCA’s SAGE Dining staff and for TCA’s HealthCare Services Group cleaning staff. Brian Spence (top left) and Kerry DeWeese (top right) lead, teach, encourage and admonish during COFGs.