by Brian Ellison | Aug 6, 2013 | Covenant Congregations
In early 2013, the Covenant Network welcomed two new congregations. Affirming the “Call to Covenant Community,” these two churches have now joined with more than 350 others in their commitment to seeking a church that is both inclusive and united. Summit Presbyterian...
by Brian Ellison | Nov 6, 2012 | Biblical Interpretation, Covenant Congregations, Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony, Sermon
Laurie Kraus, Pastor, Riviera Presbyterian Church, and Director, Covenant Network of Presbyterians: Almost ten years ago, on a hot summer Sunday morning, a young man walked into our service and took a seat near the back of the sanctuary. He looked wary, I thought,...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 27, 2012 | Covenant Congregations, Theology
In joy! Oh! In joy do we gather: knowing we are all the image of God. This is the first verse of one of my favorite choral calls to prayer—one of the pieces we use to open the worship service at Riviera each Sunday morning. I heard it sung first at a Covenant Network...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 15, 2012 | Covenant Congregations, Personal Testimony
Vicki Carmichael Minister of Music–Choir Director Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City, MO This reflection was shared as part of the communion service on Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012. In her book The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century,...
by Brian Ellison | Apr 25, 2012 | Covenant Congregations
April 15 was an especially joyous day at Old First church in San Francisco. At the end of a moving communion service, the congregation and pastor Maggi Henderson joined in commissioning the Rev. Erwin Barron as a Parish Associate. Rev. Barron had been involved in the...
by Brian Ellison | Mar 16, 2012 | Covenant Congregations
The newest Covenant Network congregation is Newport Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, Washington: Our Identity: Newport Presbyterian Church is an inclusive Christian community seeking new, uncharted ways of faithfulness and service while continuing to embrace our rich...
by Brian Ellison | Feb 13, 2012 | Covenant Congregations
The newest congregation on the list of Covenant Network churches is Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship, Palm Desert, California, for years a strong supporter of the mission of the Covenant Network. The mission of Spirit of the Desert is expressed in this...
by Brian Ellison | Jul 29, 2011 | Covenant Congregations
Second Presbyterian Church Richmond, VA Alex Evans, Pastor Founded in 1845, this historic church is a “vital downtown congregation, inspiringly led, and dedicated to fulfilling its mission ‘to know Christ and to make Him known’ within the community and throughout the...
by Brian Ellison | May 27, 2011 | Covenant Congregations
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. First Presbyterian Church Wooster, Ohio Jeff...
by Brian Ellison | Mar 8, 2011 | Covenant Congregations
Preserving the earth is just one concern among many for the progressive community that is First Pres, Elizabethton, according to a recent article. Pastor John Shuck and the members of the strongly involved congregation try to bring a Christian perspective to issues...