Doughnuts and Discussion in Portland
The Covenant Network will welcome commissioners, advisory delegates, and observers on Friday evening, June 17, to the Voodoo Doughnuts Commissioners' Convocation. beginning at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church in downtown Portland.Greet one another while sampling Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnuts; hear about the Covenant Network's priorities for this General Assembly; listen to the moderatorial candidates introduce themselves; and learn some of the ways that you can participate effectively at this GA. Commissioners and advisory delegates will have an opportunity to meet others from their committee, along with volunteers who are there to support their work.
Our GA Luncheon: Toward a Truly Inclusive Church
Join us in Portland for the Covenant Network General Assembly Luncheon, Toward a Truly Inclusive Church: Reflections on Inclusion, Privilege and Equality - Monday, June 20, 12:00 noon, DoubleTree by Hilton. We'll feature a discussion, moderated by Brian Ellison, with panelists T. Denise Anderson, Jerrod Lowry, Bruce Reyes-Chow, and Jessica Vazquez Torres.
Overture 50… One Gay Man’s Reflection
'... It hurts, deeply, when I find some on “our side” too ready and quick to dismiss the pains among these sisters and brothers with whom we differ.'If we, LGBTQ Presbyterians and our allies, fail to acknowledge that, then we are failing them (and Jesus) in the same way too many of them have failed us (and Jesus) over the years. That does not mean that we should back away from what has been achieved, or from our ongoing advocacy for fully realized inclusion and welcome. But, I think it does mean that… for all the justness of it… pushing for an apology from the PCUSA is more harmful than helpful, at least at this point in time. Do I want it? Absolutely. Should I urge it? In charity and mutual forbearance, I think not. The wounds of the long struggle are still too open and raw, and the reaction is re-opening our own wounds and scars...'
LGBTQ-focused business at the 222nd GA
This year’s General Assembly will see several important items of business that affect the wholeness and well-being of LGBTQ people in the Church and in society. At each Assembly, the Covenant Network seeks to discern how our efforts can best support justice and grace in the decisions of the church’s highest council. This year, the Covenant Network has played a part in supporting those who have proposed some of these overtures and will work hard for their passage, serving as a resource as they come forward; in other instances, we will work either to oppose, or to encourage language that will make them more helpful to the church.
Join us at the 222nd General Assembly
It's time to purchase your tickets for the CovNet events at the 222nd General Assembly in Portland this June. Plan to join us Friday evening, June 17, for the Voodoo Doughnut Commissioners' Convocation, and Monday for the Covenant Network Luncheon.
Progress, Pushback, Possibilities: A preliminary look at the 222nd GA
On Saturday morning at the 2015 Covenant Conference, national organizer Tricia Dykers Koenig offered an early look at the Covenant Network's priorities at the 222nd General Assembly (2016), which will meet next June in Portland, Oregon.