Appeal of Jane Spahr Conviction Will Be Heard This Week
The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Pacific (SPJC) will hear the Rev. Jane Spahr’s appeal of her conviction for performing 16 same-sex marriages in California during the period in 2008 when such marriages were legal, and “representing that [these] same sex ceremonies . . . were marriages of persons of the same sex.” The hearing will be held in Oakland, CA, on March 24.
2011 Covenant Conference!
RECONCILING: VOICES, VISIONS, VOCATIONSLearning to live out the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us- in our church, our communities, and our world.Join us November 3-5, at First Presbyterian, Durham, NC
Covenant Congregation in the News
First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, one of only five Covenant congregations in Tennessee, was recently featured in the Johnson City Press as a leader in environmental awareness and advocacy.
Bible (Mis)used as a Weapon Then & Now
People have selectively used the Bible to prove their arguments throughout history, argues Henry Brinton, pastor of a Covenant congregation, in recent USA Today column. In the Civil War, it was used both to justify and oppose slavery. May we be making the same mistake today?
California Clergyman Acquitted in Legal Civil Marriage Case
The Rev. Erwin Barron, a professor of ethics living in San Francisco, was acquitted by the PJC of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities of violating the Constitution by contracting a legal civil marriage in California during the brief period in 2008 when such unions were legally sanctioned.
Good words from the author of The Good Book
Peter Gomes, author of The Good Book and minister of Harvard’s Memorial Church, died this week. His remarks to the Covenant Network G.A. Luncheon in 1999 remain remarkably relevant as we again consider ordination standards.
Welcome to two new Covenant congregations
Welcome to two new Covenant congregations whose sessions have affirmed the Call to Covenant Community this month: Broadway Presbyterian Church in New York City and Faith Presbyterian Church in Franklin, WI.
GAPJC Finds Massachusetts Minister Not Guilty for Legally Marrying Two Women Parishioners
The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) ruled on February 8 that the Rev. Jean Southard “did not violate the Book of Order or her ordination vows” by presiding at the 2008 marriage of a same-gender couple – two active members of the Massachusetts congregation she then served.
Commending Dialogue, Including on Ordination Standards (2/11)
Meeting in Atlanta earlier this week, the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network commented on ongoing cross-boundary conversations within the denomination, and celebrated progress in voting on Amendment 10-A.
Covenant Congregation in the News: Pasadena Presbyterian
Pasadena [CA] Presbyterian Church, a Covenant congregation, offers an unusual and exciting example of a genuinely unified, multicultural congregation. Its Korean and Spanish ministries and communities are not “nested” in the English-language church but constitute “three language groups within one congregation.”
Interview with Rev. Dr. Arlo Duba
Dr. Arlo Duba, Professor of Worship Emeritus, retired Dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, and PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament, was recently interviewed by More Light Presbyterian Outreach Director, Debra Peevey. Dr. Duba shares his journey, leading to a change of heart and mind regarding the ordination of LGBT persons.
Church, Politics, & Church Politics: The Future of LGBT Issues
Come to our Southwest Regional Conference at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, March 4-6, for an engaging and provocative weekend about LGBT issues in church and politics, and about our hope for the future. Rev. Dr. Mel White is the plenary speaker, and Covenant Network Co-Moderator Mary Lynn Tobin preaches at the opening worship.
G-6.0106b in PC(USA) Perspective – Reflections on Amendment 10-A
The current text of G-6.0106b is out of sync with Presbyterian and Reformed theology and polity. Amendment 10-A corrects those errors. Here's a collection of references.
Standing by the Promises
Elder Signe Bell, speaking to New Castle Presbytery prior to their vote to approve Amendment 10-A, reminded Presbyterians of the promises made to all the baptized.
Why You Should Vote For Amendment 10-A
The Presbytery of Donegal invited Covenant Network National Organizer Tricia Dykers Koenig to give the presentation in favor of Amendment 10-A during a forum at their January meeting.
Covenant Network conference considers "Celebrating the Whole Household of God"
Jo Ann Caldwell Currie attended the conference and wrote about the experience as a special correspondent for the Presbyterian Outlook. Her Outlook article is reprinted here.
The Christian Case for Gay Marriage
Dr. David Myers, in his plenary address at the recent CovNet Conference, affirms that "family values, a priority on covenant relationships, a celebration of marriage, a high view of Scripture: all these can co-exist with full and equal participation of gay and lesbian people in the life and the culture in the church."The complete address can be read here, including slides from Dr. Myers' powerpoint presentation.
In Support of Amendment 10-A: Time to Move On
A recent post in The Presbyterian Outlook by Kirsten Kingdon, a CovNet Advisory Board member, a church Elder, and a Mom!