Covenant Network Celebrates Supreme Court Decisions
The Covenant Network celebrates—together with justice-minded Presbyterians across America—today’s decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. We rejoice in today’s rulings striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and ensuring that same-gender couples in California are now able to enjoy the legal rights and privileges of marriage. With state and federal benefits now available to couples in a total of 13 states (and the District of Columbia), the country has taken a significant step toward marriage equality. Even so, we continue to hope and pray for the day when these rights are available to all Americans.We also eagerly await guarantees that teaching elders and congregations can, without fear of discipline, provide the same pastoral care to same-gender and opposite-gender couples by extending the opportunity to have their marriages celebrated and recognized in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As our Book of Order proclaims, “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family” (W-4.9001). We call upon the whole church to continue its journey toward justice and generosity, and we commit ourselves anew to working for that outcome in “the entire human family” in the years ahead.
--Mary Lynn Tobin & David Van Dyke, Co-Moderators--Brian Ellison, Executive DirectorThe Covenant Network of Presbyterians
National Conference Will Explore Marriage Matters
The Covenant Network will offer the church an opportunity to explore these issues later this year through theological discussion, liturgical exploration, and times of fellowship and worship at our national conference. The 2013 Covenant Conference, “Marriage Matters,” will be October 31 to November 2 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Registration is now open, and information on schedule and speakers is available here.To offer your financial support for this conference—including scholarships that allow all college and seminary students to attend for free—and to further our work of education and advocacy throughout the PCUSA, please click here. Thank you!
