Covenant Presbyterian Church in Buckhead (www.covenantpresbyterian.us) is holding a reunion Sunday, March 10 for all former participants of Club Covenant, the church’s after-school program, and their parents.  The celebration will be from 2-4 p.m. at the church and will include several past directors of Club Covenant, former staff members and the students who were Club members from its inception in 1976 through 2012.

 Club Covenant was created by the congregation of Covenant Presbyterian Church 36 years ago in cooperation with E. Rivers Elementary School as a way to provide a safe and nurturing environment for young children who might otherwise spend their after school hours in an empty house.  It was the first after school program licensed by the State of Georgia, according to long-time church member Sue Colussy, and paved the way for other churches to offer similar services to local families.

 “Back then, there weren’t nearly as many after school programs as there are now,” said Colussy.  “We saw a need in the community for supervised afternoon child care and committed to filling it with Club Covenant.  The first year, we welcomed about 15 children, providing them with a snack, indoor and outdoor play time and the opportunity to finish their homework every Monday-Friday during the school year.  Over the past three and a half decades, we served nearly 2,000 children, many of whom are now grown with children of their own.”

 “In recent years, E. Rivers and other local schools created on-campus after school programs, reducing the need for Club Covenant, so we concluded the program at the end of 2012,” said Dr. Ernie Hess, senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian.  “We are grateful to have had this opportunity to serve our community through the after school program, and thought it would be fun to bring together as many Club Covenant participants as possible to celebrate what we all accomplished together, rekindle friendships and remember good times.  Club Covenant’s past directors, including its first director, Linda Stacy, and its most recent director, Deborah Walton, will attend the celebration and will say a few words to the group.  We’re in the process of collecting photos and memorabilia to display and invite the guests to bring their own to show.”

 The event is free, but guests are asked to RSVP in advance to office@covpresatl.org or 404-237-0363.  Guests may park for free on the top level of the Peachtree Battle parking deck, next door to the church, located at 2461 Peachtree Road.

 About Covenant Presbyterian Church

 For nearly a century, Covenant Presbyterian Church has served the city of Atlanta through its mission of “Equipping the people of God to serve Christ in the world”.  The church is a member of Presbyterian Church (USA) and is led by Dr. Ernie Hess, senior pastor, and Dr. Jill Ulrici, associate pastor.  Covenant Presbyterian Church opened its doors in downtown Atlanta in 1904 as Harris Presbyterian Church.  Twenty years later, the church community moved to its present location at 2461 Peachtree Road in Buckhead, where it holds Sunday morning and evening worship services.

 Today, Covenant is home to a welcoming congregation that seeks, serves and celebrates together.  The church boasts a lively youth group, hands-on mission work, a women’s spirituality ministry and a strong music program, as well as offering public lectures, social events, educational opportunities and more.  Currently, the church supports numerous organizations including Buckhead Christian Ministry, the Central Night Shelter, ChildSpring International, Habitat for Humanity, The Open Door Community, Earth Covenant Ministry and Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta.  Covenant also takes a leadership role in the LaGonave Haiti Partners, a 20-year partnership with the Episcopal Church of Haiti. Ongoing Haiti projects include a community health center, as well as programs for education, agriculture, adult literacy and children’s nutrition.  www.covenantpresbyterian.us

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