Our Staff

Get to Know Us!

Rev. Jonathan Carlisle

Dear Friends,

I am excited about your Session’s invitation to serve as your “Gap Pastor” during this different time. Your Session has contracted with me to work full time while your Pastoral Nominating Committee begins their search for a new called Pastor.

I retired two years ago. Sue and I moved to Blacklick to be near our daughter, a New Albany music teacher, and her family. I grew up in upstate New York, attended Colgate University and Princeton Theological Seminary. God called me to serve congregations in Waterloo, New York (in the Finger Lakes); Beaver Falls, Pa. (north of Pittsburgh); and in Coshocton, Ohio, (where I served for 17 years).

We have five adult children and a dozen grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Sue is a retired OB nurse and now makes quilts and does long arm quilting. We worship at the newly formed Rose Run Presbyterian Church in New Albany, where I preached and assisted for several months before they called their Transitional Pastor.

Please pray for Covenant’s future to be faithful to the Lord and joyful in serving our members and those in need far beyond our doors.

Jonathan Carlisle

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Erin Wise, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries
Erin has been an active member of Covenant since her family moved to Columbus when she was 1. She volunteered with the Children's Ministry program for 10 years before officially joining the staff in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Education from Miami University. She has taught Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II in high school as well as preschool Spanish, Movement and Enrichment. She currently teaches preschool in Dublin and Jazzercise at the Dublin Jazzercise Fitness Center to grown-ups as well as kiddos. In her free time she enjoys reading, eating chocolate and spending time with her husband, Michael, and their three children, Natalie, Adrienne and Owen.

Cherie Brooks, Director of Music
Cherie also is the Vocal Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Olentangy Orange High School, Lewis Center, OH. She is in her 23 year of music education, teaching as an Elementary Music Specialist (Keystone Central School District, PA), a middle school vocal director (Zanesville City Schools and Delaware Schools), and a high school vocal director (Olentangy Local Schools). Cherie grew up as the daughter of Rev. H. Raymond and Ethel Brooks, singing and playing the piano in church. She has most recently served as the Traditional Music Director/Cappella Choir Director/Pianist at the Indian Run United Methodist Church in Dublin, OH. She is a proficient vocalist, pianist and director, and loves working with the wonderful musicians at Covenant.

Laurie Johnson, Office Manager
Laurie received her BS degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Indiana State University, Terra Haute, Indiana. Through her passion for helping people, she started her career at The Ohio State University Medical Center where she worked for 15 years. Continuing her journey to contribute her time, talents and treasure, Laurie worked for the Diocese of Columbus coordinating a variety of Columbus charitable ministries. Laurie spends her free time with her two sons and enjoys gardening and traveling to her hometown, Evansville, Indiana, to visit with family.

Caroline McGeoch, Director of Covenant Children's Center
Caroline received a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, obtained her early childhood teaching license through Ohio Dominican University, and completed her MA in Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Caroline became interested in how children learn when she and her husband Peter were raising their 3 sons. She has worked as a teacher for over 18 years, and has been the Preschool Director and an after school program site supervisor since 2011. She loves the opportunity to serve children and families in the welcoming environment provided by the Covenant community.

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Katie Wynkoop, Organist/Pianist
Katie Wynkoop received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University in May 2013. While at Capital as a piano major, Katie was active as an accompanist, president of the Capital Collegiate Kodaly Educators and worked as a choir manager for the Isabella Choir, part of the Columbus Children's Choir. Katie began her professional career this fall as the K-5 elementary general music teacher at Westfall Elementary School in Williamsport, Ohio. At Covenant, Katie is the organist and choir accompanist. She also directs the children's choir. In her spare time, Katie likes to read, play euchre, shop, spend time with her family, and play with her kittens, Liza and Lucy.

Say hello to the rest of our staff at Covenant! (Click on name to email)

Ingrid Smith, Financial Administrator

Lisa Swartz, Weekday Custodian

Brian Ball, Weekend Custodian

Nancy Davidson, Bell Choir Director

Joanne Pratt, Wedding Coordinator

Shane Spicer, Assistant for Children's Ministry

“ Great sermons! Great music! Smiling, welcoming people! Happy children! ” - ED