A year after the signing of a covenant between the Catholic and Episcopal dioceses of Atlanta, a similar document has been signed by the “sister parishes” of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.

In a special prayer service Jan. 28, which emphasized the desire for unity between Catholics and Episcopalians -- and the road which must still be traveled in order for that unity to become a reality -- representatives of the two parishes signed a Covenant committing themselves to many joint efforts. Archbishop Thomas Donnellan and Bishop C. Judson Child of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta took part in the service.

As sister parishes, the Covenant says, they will pray for each other on Sunday and other occasions and “explore other joint initiatives such as summer youth Bible school and Advent and Lenten services.”

The Covenant also says that the two churches will form adult education classes that will explain “the other denomination’s theological perspective” and, where possible, invite a teacher from the neighboring church to take part in instructing it. Joint retreats, including discussions of the goal of unity between the two denominations and the practical steps to achieve it, are also planned.

Finally, the document proposes joint efforts, where possible, to serve the wider Athens community, such as in emergency aid programs. It also promises an attitude of respect for the positions and status of their sister denomination.

The development of deep relationships between sister parishes at the grass-roots level was one of the aims of the Covenant signed by Archbishop Donnellan and Bishop Child in Atlanta in January 1984. Since then a number of Catholic parishes have paired with an Episcopal Church in their community for joint Bible school programs, discussion groups or other projects. But this is believed to be the first parish-level Covenant.

Speaking during the Athens service, Bishop Child said the signing of the Covenant between St. Joseph’s and Emmanuel was an “historic event.”

He spoke of the need for real peace -- “Shalom” between denominations, mentioning Northern Ireland as an example of the lack of peace between Christians at the present time. That evening, he said, the gathering of 150 people from the two parishes was already celebrating the unity which was theirs because they have one Lord, one faith and one baptism. But, he said, the gathering was also proclaiming the need to strive for greater unity, one marked by “Shalom.”

In his homily, Archbishop Donnellan spoke of the joy and love in evidence that evening. He also spoke of the need to address the difficult questions separating the two denominations, questions concerning authority in the church and papacy, the Eucharist, and ministry and the priesthood. But, he said, “tonight will mark another step forward between our two communities, not only here in Athens, and in the Metropolitan Atlanta area, but also in the world.”

“Without unity,” he said, “we truly do not love” in the way God intends.

Following the reading of the Nicene Creed, the congregation sang “One Bread, One Body,” expressing the desire for unity in the Eucharist of the Lord. Lay leaders from the two parishes who have coordinated adult education discussion groups for the last four months, Kathy Kruskamp from St. Joseph’s and Warren Spencer from Emmanuel Church, read the Covenant. It was signed by the two pastors and by the parish council president from St. Joseph’s, Frank Watson, and the senior warden from Emmanuel Church, James Bowers. Participants then joined hands and prayed the Lord’s prayer.

The service took place at Emmanuel Church and involved choirs and readers from both parishes.

In addition to two bishops, the pastor of St. Joseph’s, Father Richard Kieran, and the rector of Emmanuel Church, Father Franklin Ferguson, led the service. Ten concelebrating priests took part, including Catholic priests Father Don Kenney, Father Charles Kasibante, Father Jack Druding, Father John Fallon and Father Ed Thein, and Episcopal priests including Father Mark Rutenbar, Father Nick Johnson, Father Ralph Morris, Father William Boyd and Father Victor Nicholson.

The two parishes began last fall to hold a series of adult education programs focusing upon the formal discussion of theological issues taking place by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. These talks were followed by living room discussions involving small groups of people from the two parishes.

The signing of the Covenant marks “a beginning in our continued journey together,” said Kathy Kruskamp of St. Joseph’s.

“An interparish commission has been formed which will oversee and coordinate the ways in which we will strive to live out our Covenant in the future. Talk is already underway regarding a joint vacation Bible school for the children, combined activities of our two youth groups, and shared adult education classes.”

Copies of the covenant document, hand printed on parchment by St. Joseph’s parishioner Betty Ann Dye, will be framed and displayed prominently in each parish.