Tri-Covenant Agreement

Whereas, it is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ “that they may be one”; and

Whereas, the highest leadership of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have expressed a desire for growth toward full unity; and

Whereas, the Bishop of Kentucky (Episcopal), the Bishop of Kentucky (United Methodist), and the Archbishop of Louisville (Roman Catholic) have expressed full support and encouragement of covenant relationships among the congregations of these Churches;

Now therefore we solemnly and reverently enter into the Covenant, and we do pledge:

1. To pray at Sunday worship for each other’s Bishops, Pastors, and Congregations by name;
2. To maintain a joint Tri-Covenant Committee;
3. To gather regularly for worship, formation, and social outreach; and
4. To exchange newsletters and other appropriate communications.
   

We pledge ourselves to these objectives and pray the blessing of Almighty God on this Covenant, that we may be faithful to it, to God’s Honor and Glory.

In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this twentieth day of May in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

Signed by:

The Right Reverend Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky
The Very Reverend Mark A. Bourlakas, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral
E. Page Curry, Episcopal Tri-Covenant Committee

Bishop James R. King, Jr., Bishop of the United Methodist Annual Conference of Kentucky
Reverend Doctor Jean G. Hawxhurst, Pastor of Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church
Reverend Sarah Ewing, United Methodist Tri-Covenant Committee

The Most Reverend Thomas C. Kelly, O.P., Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville
The Very Reverend William L. Fichteman, Pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption
Earl Shiring, Roman Catholic Tri-Covenant Committee

Tri-Covenant Committee

The Tri-Covenant Committee welcomes members from Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral and Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church when they are guests at our Cathedral, and participates when we are guests at their churches.

Tri-Covenant Events

Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals is an outdoor celebration held on a Sunday close to the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4).  The emphasis is on God's gifts of animals, the natural world, and the unity we share in being responsible stewards of God's creation.  Parishioners of the three congregations who love animals, along with their pets and human friends, are invited to this service

Epiphany Celebration
The Epiphany Celebration is held on an evening close to the Feast of the Epiphany where the three congregations gather for dinner, sharing and a presentation.

Lenten Discussion
Members and friends of the Tri-Covenant churches are invited to celebrate and continue the ecumenical spirit, which has blessed our three congregations.  With a spirit of understanding, we will learn more about ourselves, our tri-covenant friends and our common faith in Christ.

Yard Sale
An annual Yard Sale is held to benefit Help Ministries, an urban ministry focusing on homelessness prevention formed by eight downtown churches, and guided by a Board of Directors.