New Guidelines for Examination Published
As sessions and presbyteries begin to implement the revised Form of Government, including the substitution of G-2.0104b for the obsolete G-6.0106b, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians offers an updated edition of its resource Guidelines for Examination of Church Officers.
From the Covenant Network Board
The Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has issued the following statement concerning its purpose and mission:
A Personal Perspective on Scott Anderson's Ordination
Much has been said and written about the ordination of Scott Anderson this past weekend at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Covenant Network's Interim Executive Director, Nancy Enderle, offers her reflections about this momentous event.
Ordination Sermon for Scott Anderson
John Knox Presbytery ordained Scott Anderson to the ordered ministry of Teaching Elder on Saturday, October 8. Here's the sermon by the Rev. Dr. Mark Achtemeier.
Rejoicing with Scott Anderson
Scott Anderson's Service of Ordination will take place on October 8th, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, in Madison, WI. Scott’s ordination as a teaching elder offers a sign of hope for the many people who have long worked for a more inclusive church policy toward the ordination of our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered brothers and sisters.
'Fellowship' Within the Body of Christ
* A Word from our Co-Moderators *Several members of the Covenant Network Board and staff participated in the gathering in Minneapolis, August 25-26, of the Fellowship of Presbyterians.The tone established at the outset was one of warmth, kindness, and respect, and the articulated values included an appreciation for PC(USA) denominational staff, avoidance of stone-throwing, and a commitment not to speak or act out of anger.
Dr. Mary McClintock Fulkerson preaching at November conference!
We are delighted to welcome Mary McClintock Fulkerson to the leadership team for this year's conference.
Second Presbyterian, Richmond, VA, becomes a Covenant Congregation!
We welcome Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond, VA, whose Session recently signed the "Call to Covenant Community" and look forward to partnering with this congregation as we all live into the new reality of G-2.0104b.
Reclamation
From a Pentecost sermon by Mark Achtemeier: "In times such as these, we need the witness of the church to show our country that it is possible to reach our hands across these deep divides of race and ideology and religion, that a peaceful and united human community is possible, that even deep- seated differences can be overcome by the power of self-giving love."
Communion of the Different
Covenant Network's Co-Moderator and Pastor of House of Hope in St. Paul, MN, David Van Dyde, shares a message about Pentecost.
Welcome to First Presbyterian, Wooster, OH
A fifth congregation recently affirmed the Call to Covenant Community in time to be featured in the summer edition of the Covenant Connection, along with the four most recent Covenant Congregations we welcomed in May.
25 Former G.A. Moderators Issue Letter to the Church
“Some of us have worked and prayed for this change to happen, and some of us have worked and prayed that the current wording in the Book of Order would hold firm. But all of us fervently hope that the church will move forward as a unified and missional expression of the Body of Christ.”
PCUSA Leaders Address the Church on the Approval of Amendment 10-A
"It is Jesus Christ who calls individuals to ordained ministries, and all those who are called to ordained office continue to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all and Head of the church. It is this same Jesus Christ who is the foundation of our faith and to whom we cling."
Gratitude for the Passage of Amendment 10-A
As of May 10, 2011, the amendment to G-6.0106b proposed by the 219th General Assembly (2010) has received the affirmative votes of a majority of the presbyteries. The Covenant Network Board of Directors has issued a statement.