J. Herbert Nelson at the 2015 Covenant Conference
J. Herbert Nelson on his keynote address to the "Unity Matters" conference, November 5-7 in Denver: "The Church of Jesus Christ is called to assist in reconciling people to Jesus Christ. Although we have witnessed significant gains through the Church and the government's judicial courts regarding LGBT concerns, issues regarding race and gender remain historically slow to resolve in the United States. The call for all communities, including the LGBT community, to engage broader historic movements of oppressed people is both imperative and immediate. The starting point for entry into these intersection of oppressions begins within the LGBT community itself. My address will connect the biblical imperative with steps for implementation."
'A Season of Welcome' Continues
Beginning in the fall of 2011, the Covenant Network gathered stories from LGBTQ individuals who heard a call to ordination and how they were experiencing the changes in the life of the church. We collected those at a special website called “A Season of Welcome.” You can find them here: https://covnetpres.org/a-season-of-welcome/. More stories are welcome! If you’d like to add your story to this permanent archive, please contact Tricia Dykers Koenig.
Letters from the Heart
Ruling Elder Bob Coates from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida, offers a website with resources collected during his congregation's conversation about same-gender relationships. The Palma Ceia Session voted to affirm their pastors' discretion in deciding which marriages to perform in their sanctuary.
Pre-Conference Workshops in Denver
Plan to come early to Denver so that you can join us from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, for one of two theological conversations. Professors from two of our PCUSA seminaries are planning in-depth conversations. Choose "Radical Reconciler: Reading the Bible as the Word of God," led by Cynthia L. Rigby, or "Inclusive Wedding Services," led by Kimberly Bracken Long.
Science, Scripture, and Same-Sex Love
A book review by Tricia Dykers Koenig: "Regele explores multiple disciplines in his search for understanding – biology, psychology, sociology, and demographics, along with biblical study, theology, and church history – and reflects on these learnings in light of his personal story. He provides an accessible survey of the science pointing to the probability that sexual orientation is innate, resulting from a combination of genetic and prenatal hormonal influences. The ethical conclusion: it is inconsistent with loving one’s LGBTQ neighbors to blame and penalize them for a characteristic they did not choose and cannot change."
The Addition of Belhar, the 50th Anniversary of C-67: Confessions the Church Needs for “Such a Time as This"
Stated Clerk Emeritus and CovNet Board member Cliff Kirkpatrick will lead us in exploring the significance of our confessions - particularly Belhar and the Confession of 1967 - at the 2015 Covenant Conference, November 5-7 at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver. Have you registered?
A Wedding Hymn
Hymn-writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is offering a wedding hymn -- using the tune of the Thanksgiving standard, "We Gather Together -- with permission for use by anyone who supports the work of the Covenant Network and the request that donations go to the Covenant Network. The hymn was commissioned for the wedding of Paul Tellstrom and Carl Whidden on September 7, 2014.
A Session's Discernment Process on Marriage
The Rev. Stephanie Anthony explains the discernment process leading to the unanimous Session decision that "at First Presbyterian Church of Hudson, Wisconsin requests for Session consideration of marriage will not be denied based upon sexual orientation."
Covenant Network Grateful for Supreme Court Decision
The Covenant Network is profoundly grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court proclaimed that states may not refuse to grant marriage licenses to couples of the same sex, and must recognize valid marriages contracted in other jurisdictions. The decision expands marriage equality nationwide and affirms the equal dignity of all persons, removing one form of legal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The New W-4.9000: A History
As of June 21, all amendments to the Book of Order proposed by the 221st General Assembly (2014), having been approved by a majority of the presbyteries, have now taken effect. Read the story of Amendment 14-F, which is now W-4.9000.
2015 Conference Registration Now Open
Join the Covenant Network November 5-7 at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver to explore UNITY MATTERS, with keynote speakers Cynthia Rigby, Clifton Kirkpatrick, and J. Herbert Nelson; and preachers Kim Clayton, Paul Roberts, and Marci Auld Glass.
What's next for the Covenant Network?
A lot of people have been asking us over the last few months what’s next for us. Now that the presbyteries have voted to approve Amendment 14-F, affirming that ministers may officiate, and sessions may host, same-gender weddings, and now that LGBTQ people are being ordained in congregations and presbyteries around the country, what will the Covenant Network do? What does our mission look like going forward?Executive Director Brian Ellison addresses the question in this video.
No license to discriminate
With the rapid spread of marriage equality across the nation, lawmakers in a number of states are proposing controversial legislation, under the guise of protecting "religious freedom," that would allow businesses or even government officials to discriminate against same-gender couples seeking to exercise the same rights and opportunities that opposite-gender couples take for granted. Following longstanding PC(USA) policy, several presbyteries have adopted resolutions opposing such legislation.
Meet the two newest Covenant Congregations
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica (CA) and College Avenue Presbyterian Church (Alton, IL) have, by Session action, adopted the Call to Covenant Community. We welcome their partnership in our work!
Encouraging the Supreme Court
As the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the cases that could bring nationwide marriage equality -- consolidated and known as Obergefell v. Hodges -- the Justices had access to numerous friend-of-the-court briefs encouraging a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs seeking the freedom to marry and the recognition of their marriages by all states. The Covenant Network was pleased to participate as an amicus curiae, joining a number of other faith-based groups
TORN: Justin Lee's witness
Tricia Dykers Koenig suggests you read TORN: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, by Justin Lee.
The meaning and malleability of marriage
Jim Hudnut-Beumler predicts that the approval of Amendment 14-F will continue the movement toward marriage equality in a growing number of congregations -- not because ministers and sessions will be forced against their will, but because "'the power of one' has the power to change hearts and minds."
Faithful to Scripture and Open to Gay People
Looking for a concise way to explain that you support LGBTQ persons not in spite of, but because of the Bible? Download this brochure, prepared by the Rev. Steven Kurtz of First Presbyterian Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Statement of the Covenant Network Board on the Approval of Amendment 14-F on Marriage
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is grateful that with today’s presbytery votes, a majority of the 171 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have approved an amendment to the church’s Book of Order that describes marriage as “a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”