Before the conference on marriage equality, join us for a theological conversation about marriage. What does “Christian marriage” mean? What do we believe happens during a wedding?  And what should a marriage service look like?

The 2013 Covenant Conference, “Marriage Matters,” will take place at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago October 31-November 2.

Kim LongIn this pre-conference workshop, to be held from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, we will consider the rite from the Book of Common Worship, the new Episcopal rite for same-sex blessings, and other contemporary marriage liturgies.  We will then talk about what makes good liturgy, and how we can build on the good gifts of the tradition to create evocative and faithful contemporary marriage liturgies.  Finally, we’ll write some marriage liturgies of our own.

Our pre-conference leader is Kimberly Bracken Long, Associate Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.  She is the author of The Worshiping Body: The Art of Leading Worship (Westminster/John Knox Press, 2009), and The Eucharistic Theology of the American Holy Fairs (Westminster/John Knox Press, 2011), as well as numerous articles and sermons. She serves as editor and writer for the Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, a six-volume compilation of lectionary-based liturgical resources, and is writing a practical theology of marriage.

Click here for schedule and registration information, and here to reserve a hotel room at conference rates.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago to explore “Marriage Matters”!