by Brian Ellison | Nov 17, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
By Ben Fitzgerald-Fye On November 8, the Kiskiminetas Presbytery held its debate and vote on Marriage Amendment 14-F and I had the great honor of being there as a ruling elder and as a gay, married man. In the days leading up to that Saturday, I was in turmoil about...
by Brian Ellison | Nov 12, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
Amendment 14-F does Accurately describe marriage as “a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives”; Recognize that marriage is not solely a private matter between two people, but...
by Brian Ellison | Nov 11, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Amendment 14-F, Marriage & Civil Unions
Three years ago, I stopped signing marriage licenses on behalf of the state of Idaho. As long as I was unable to officiate at ALL weddings, I wasn’t going to sign my name on any licenses. I still presided at services of Christian marriage and blessings, but the...
by Brian Ellison | Nov 10, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
The Rev. Larry Owens Keynote Address ~ Covenant Network Regional Conference Idlewild Presbyterian Church ~ Memphis, TN ~ November 8, 2014 “Lord, we are forever asking you for many things, and what you are forever giving...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 20, 2014 | Covenant Network News, Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
The Covenant Network Board of Directors expresses its admiration and gratitude for the congregations and ministers who, despite their unhappiness with the actions of the 221st General Assembly on marriage, have resolved to remain part of the denomination. Their...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 15, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
The Session of University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio is encouraging Mission Presbytery to approve the Marriage Amendment, 14-F: https://covnetpres.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2014/10/University-PC-Session-Resolution.pdf
by Brian Ellison | Oct 12, 2014 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Sermon
A Sermon on Marriage Equality and the Church Layton E. Williams Matthew 22:1-14 Springfield Regional Conference Covenant Network of Presbyterians October 11, 2014 I imagine that one day, I will preach a sermon on this text and have countless illustrations to choose...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 9, 2014 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Sermon
So for four weeks I am going to be speaking about issues that relate to marriage and singleness, in this time that we are re-examining marriage as Presbyterians. If we don’t know who we are and cannot understand ourselves in the relationships of our lives, then the...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 7, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
By Brian Ellison Long before I came to serve as its executive director, through generations of leadership and mission statements, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has always had two goals: inclusion and unity. We have long believed the church will be stronger...
by Brian Ellison | Oct 6, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
On Monday morning, October 6, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it has declined, without comment, to hear the appeals of lower court decisions invalidating bans on same-gender marriage in five states, thereby lifting the stays on these decisions and clearing the...