by Brian Ellison | Feb 22, 2018 | Uncategorized
For the past several months, the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has been working together with the Rev. Janet Edwards and our friends at More Light Presbyterians on an important effort to correct a lingering injustice. We are pleased to announce, with the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 28, 2016 | 222nd GA (2016)
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians celebrates the accomplishments of the 222nd General Assembly! Over and over, this Assembly advanced the cause of inclusion and unity, affirming LGBTQ people and moving us in concrete ways toward being a church as generous and just...
by Brian Ellison | Feb 22, 2016 | Marriage & Civil Unions
As congregations continue to rejoice in the attainment of marriage equality in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), couples are working with pastors to craft meaningful worship services to celebrate their covenant commitments. Some are developing new forms, and others...
by Brian Ellison | Aug 14, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
By Bob Coates The congregation at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church has been in conversation over the issue of homosexuality and the church for the past five years. As one of the few openly gay members in the church, it has been a roller-coaster ride, to say the least –...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 21, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been wrestling with issues surrounding the blessing of same-gender relationships for at least the last 25 years. With the rapidly-changing landscape for marriage equality in the United States, the rules on applying constitutional...
by Brian Ellison | Apr 28, 2015 | Covenant Network News, Marriage & Civil Unions
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...
by Brian Ellison | Mar 10, 2015 | Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony, Sermon, Uncategorized
The Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Interim Pastor of Black Mountain (NC) Presbyterian Church, preached this sermon on February 1, 2015, the day after the Presbytery of Western North Carolina affirmed Amendment 14-F. Her comments at the presbytery meeting are...
by Brian Ellison | Feb 10, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
Ben Fitzgerald-Fye is Director of Mission Services for Goodwill Industries of North Central PA, Inc., and a Ruling Elder at the Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney; his husband, Sean, is a Deacon. Ben shared this reflection after he and Sean attended the Regional...
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 | 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