Conference Keynotes Will Challenge, Reform, Inspire
The 2013 Covenant Conference will take place at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, October 31 to November 2. In a series of compelling keynote addresses, three of the leading voices of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will bring words of enlightenment and challenge to this year’s Covenant Conference. Don't miss Macky Alston, Amy Plantinga Pauw, and Stacy Johnson. Registration is open now. Read more...
Celebrating the Ordination and Installation of Dan Vigilante
On the afternoon of Sunday, August 25, 2013, the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area ordained Daniel Vigilante as a Teaching Elder and installed him as Pastor of Grace-Trinity Community Church and Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. Dan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network, and we rejoice with him as he has, at long last, reached this stage in his ministry. Read more...
Explore Marriage Liturgies at the 2013 Covenant Pre-Conference
The 2013 Covenant Conference, “Marriage Matters,” will take place at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago October 31-November 2. 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? Kimberly Bracken Long will lead the pre-conference workshop focused on liturgy.
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. 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.).
2013 Covenant Conference - October 31-November 2
Keynote speakers will be Macky Alston, Stacy Johnson, and Amy Plantinga Pauw. Preachers will be Brian Ellison, Frank Yamada, and Sharon Youngs. Kimberly Bracken Long will lead the pre-conference workshop. October 31-November 2 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.
At the Table: A Witness to the Resurrection and in Celebration of the Life of K.C. Ptomey
The Rev. Dr. K.C. Ptomey, Jr., a former member of the Covenant Network Board, joined the Church Triumphant on May 9, 2013. K.C. was Zbinden Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Leadership at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, having retired as Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville.A Service of Witness to the Resurrection was held at Westminster Church on Saturday, May 18. The preachers, Ted Wardlaw and Jon Walton, have graciously granted permission to share their sermons here.
2013 Covenant Conference in Chicago - save the date!
“Marriage Matters” is the theme of the 2013 national Covenant Conference, to be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago October 31-November 2. Keynote speakers will include Amy Plantinga Pauw and William Stacy Johnson. A special pre-conference event on marriage liturgies and worship will be led by Kimberly Bracken Long. Registration information will be available soon, but for now – mark your calendar!
Supplemental Resources for the Marriage Study
In response to the mandate of the 220th General Assembly (2012), the Office of Theology and Worship has published a study of "Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)." The Covenant Network offers some additional resources and discussion questions for those who wish to explore what embodies the essence of marriage in scripture and the confessions, asking how same-gender marriage—the presenting issue in today’s church and society—may (or may not) express the truth of God.
Conference in NYC May 11: "Marriage Equality for Presbyterians and Everyone Else"
The last in the Covenant Network's series of ten regional conferences is coming up Saturday, May 11. Featuring two accomplished attorneys who have been active in working for equality for the LGBTQ community, "What Now: Marriage Equality for Presbyterians and Everyone Else" will take place at the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, with the support of Presbyterian Welcome. Follow this link to register.
Joining the religious voices urging SCOTUS toward marriage equality
The Board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has signed on as an Amicus curiae in briefs supportive of same-gender civil marriage from a religious perspective, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears the Perry and Windsor cases.
Resources on Church Unity Available
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians, from its founding, has had a twofold mission. We have worked for both the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life and leadership of the church and the real and manifest unity of that church. Sometimes these two goals seem in tension, but the value of either depends on the other. For either to matter, the church must be whole... Today, we post a collection of resources that we hope will assist those working for unity in their presbyteries.
October 2012 GAPJC Decisions
Three decisions by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission address the controversial issues of marriage, the property trust clause, and ordination standards.
Baltimore/DC Regional Conference Postponed
The Regional Conference scheduled for Friday, November 2 at Catonsville Presbyterian Church has been postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. The tentative new date for the conference is Saturday, March 9.
Are you a student? Regional registration's on us!
The Covenant Network regional conference season is fast approaching - have you found the conference nearest you? Seminary and college students attending a conference may register for free.
Our Award-Winning Executive Director!
Covenant Network Executive Director Brian Ellison was honored last weekend by the Religion Newswriters Association. Together with two colleagues at KCUR-FM, Brian won Second Place in the Radio/Podcast Religion Report of the Year, a national contest recognizing excellence in professional journalists.
Find a Regional Conference Near You
As our local organizers are firming up their plans, details are being added to the Regional Conferences page.You can now find links and registration information to the events in the Twin Cities on Saturday, October 27; the Baltimore/DC area on Friday, November 2; and Milwaukee on Saturday, November 17.
Covenant Network Adopts New Call to Covenant Community
The Board of Directors of the Covenant Network has approved a new Call to Covenant Community, inviting congregations and individuals to renew their commitment — or make one for the first time — to the Covenant Network’s work for inclusion and unity in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).While we rightly celebrate the passage of G-2.0104b, returning historic and just standards for examination and ordination, the new Call reminds the church that there is still much work to do. All are invited to read the new mission statement and Call to Covenant Community – and to sign on by clicking the “JOIN” button at the left of the page.