Covenant Traditions

DEDICATION AND BENEDICTION

1. When It Began

Community is an essential distinctive at Covenant and our traditions play an important role in building community among students, parents, faculty, and staff. Established during the 2014-2015 academic year, Benediction quickly became one of our most treasured traditions and Dedication was added shortly after the first Benediction.

2. The Format

For Benediction, the entire school dismisses to meet together at the end of the school day each Friday. At the first Benediction, the lower school students and staff gathered on the first floor of the gallery while the upper school students stood on the second-floor balcony surrounding the first floor. Every Benediction begins with a prayer of thankfulness for the care and protection of our students and staff at school, the lessons learned in class during the week, and prayer for a peaceful weekend and a safe return to school on Monday. Following the prayer, we sing the “Tallis Cannon” acapella and then dismiss for the weekend. We look forward to once again gathering in the gallery as one community soon.

On that first Monday Dedication in 2014, the students convened in the gym before classes began to recite pledges and the Knight’s Code and to pray for a safe and exciting week of learning. We continue to assemble together for Dedication each Monday at 7:50 am in the gym.

3. The Purpose

Dedication and Benediction serve an intentional purpose in the life of our school and our students:

  • To Honor God’s Word
    We are called to gather together to worship in song; “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100: 1-2). “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts in praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!” Psalm 100: 4-5). Few things are more pleasant and joyful than the sound of young voices singing together in praise to God.

    We are also called to gather together and pray. “Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:19-20).
  • To Unify Our School Community
    Community is important for the growth and development of our students. Gathering together on a regular basis reminds students that they are part of a larger community; “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-6).

By: Covenant Staff