Encouraging the Supreme Court
As the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the cases that could bring nationwide marriage equality -- consolidated and known as Obergefell v. Hodges -- the Justices had access to numerous friend-of-the-court briefs encouraging a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs seeking the freedom to marry and the recognition of their marriages by all states. The Covenant Network was pleased to participate as an amicus curiae, joining a number of other faith-based groups
Statement of the Covenant Network Board on the Approval of Amendment 14-F on Marriage
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is grateful that with today’s presbytery votes, a majority of the 171 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have approved an amendment to the church’s Book of Order that describes marriage as “a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”
Justice and Unity
Keynote Address by the Rev. Dr. Mark Hostetter at the Covenant Network Regional Conference ~ Philadelphia, PA, February 7, 2015:" One of the things I love most about Covenant Network, the uniqueness of CovNet, is that you are changing hearts and minds with a vision of living the lives Jesus calls us to – of welcome and inclusion and truth and joy; and yes, too, lives led with purity and proclamation and biblically-based witness and testimony and making Jesus the center of our lives and vision.Reaching across the aisle, not demonizing those who disagree, that’s the power of Covenant Network. Engaging in respectful dialog, talking about issues, taking arguments one-by-one and one-on-one, not shying away from the hard discussions, giving reason, giving faith, giving testimony, giving hope. The power of Covenant Network lies in personal connection."
Marci Glass elected Co-Moderator of Board
The Rev. Marci Auld Glass, pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, is the new Co-Moderator of the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. "Even as we have made great progress, we recognize the Covenant Network's vision toward a church as generous and just as God's grace is not yet complete. I look forward to working with the Board, and with the greater church, as we live into a church ever more generous and ever more just."
Amendment 14-F: F is for February
By the end of the month of February, more than half the presbyteries will have voted on the amendment that seeks to extend the good gift of marriage to all. We've had a good start, but there is still much work to do. The Covenant Network is working tirelessly this month to organize, educate and advocate for a successful outcome -- approval by 86 or more presbyteries. Three donors have pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all contributions of $86 or more in the month of February (up to $1000 each). Please click here to donate.
In Memoriam: Pam Byers
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is saddened at the death of its founding executive director, Dr. Pam Byers. Pam was an exemplary ruling elder, a tireless evangelist, and a true friend. Her service to the PCUSA and the cause of justice for LGBTQ persons was incomparable and will be deeply missed.
Statement by the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians
The Covenant Network Board of Directors expresses its admiration and gratitude for the congregations and ministers who, despite their unhappiness with the actions of the 221st General Assembly on marriage, have resolved to remain part of the denomination. Their presence is a great gift. Diverse views and patterns of spiritual practice keep the church honest and strong; all of us, in all our differences, are “knit together spiritually,” as scripture says, “into a dwelling place for God.”The proposed Amendment 14-F specifically includes language protecting freedom of conscience for teaching elders and congregations who choose not to participate in or host same-sex marriages. We wholeheartedly support those important protections, which are in keeping with our Presbyterian principles. Indeed, we believe the amendment was greatly strengthened by their addition.We have heard there is substantial concern among conservative and evangelical teaching elders and congregations that, in presbyteries where their views about marriage are in the minority, dissenting ministers would not be permitted to serve or dissenting congregations would be prevented from calling the pastors they want. As a board and as individual presbyters, we would oppose efforts to exclude persons who are qualified and called for service on the basis of their views about marriage, and we would urge other Presbyterians to join us in this commitment.
Study Guide for The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage
As your congregation and presbytery begin to plan for the discussion of Amendment 14-F, Marriage - On Amending W-4.9000, Westminster John Knox Press has provided a study guide to accompany the new book by the Rev. Dr. Mark Achtemeier, The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change of Heart.
Announcing the 2014-15 Regional Conferences
Regional conferences in 7 areas will begin in October, continuing the focus on "Marriage Matters" as the PCUSA considers the amendment to the Book of Order's marriage description proposed by the 221st General Assembly. Join us in Springfield, Philadelphia, Memphis, Newport Beach, Richmond, Baton Rouge, or Mercer Island!
Welcoming Covenant PC, Athens, GA
The newest congregational member of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians is Covenant Presbyterian Church of Athens, GA.Read about the church...
Covenant Network Board celebrates GA action on marriage
A statement by the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians: "The Covenant Network of Presbyterians rejoices in today’s historic actions by the 221st General Assembly allowing same-sex couples freedom to marry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) without risking discipline for the ministers officiating or the sessions hosting the wedding..."
Conference videos are posted
A number of videos from plenary sessions of the 2013 Covenant Conference are now posted on the conference archive page. Visit or revisit the exploration of “Marriage Matters” held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Fall 2013.
LGBT Presbyterian Journeys - A CovNet Video
A gift from the Andrews Foundation made possible this video premiered at the Covenant Network Conference, “Marriage Matters.”Enjoy, share, and continue the work!
Covenant Conference Workshops
Should ministers act as agents of the state in solemnizing marriages? What is shame and how does God make a way beyond it? How do congregations grow intentionally in inclusiveness?These were a few of the issues addressed in workshops at the 2013 Covenant Conference, “Marriage Matters,” held October 31 – November 2 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. While there’s no substitute for being there, a few of our workshop leaders have graciously shared some of their materials
General Assembly Preview - Tricia Dykers Koenig
The Saturday morning plenary at the 2013 Covenant Conference, "Marriage Matters," included a look at the Covenant Network's work leading up to the 221st General Assembly (2014), to be held in Detroit June 14-21. With a focus on marriage equality, the CovNet Board is supporting both an authoritative interpretation of the current language of the Book of Order to clarify that officiating at a same-gender marriage is not an offense subjecting a minister to discipline, and an amendment to the Directory for Worship to make it more accurate now that marriage equality is spreading in the United States.
“Marriage Matters … Why?” - Brian D. Ellison
A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 7:1-11, 25-38 preached at the Covenant Network Conference, November 2, 2013: "It’s not that the text suggests something simple in the sense of something sentimental, that 'all you need is love.' No mention of love here in this chapter about marriage at all, in fact, not even from the man behind 1 Corinthians 13. No, the simple summary of Paul’s response to the swirling questions about marriage here, about celibacy and abstinence, about mutuality and submission, about complementarity and about sex, we might actually say, is: 'All you need … is God.'”
"A More Perfect Union" - Sharon K. Youngs
A Sermon on Ruth 1:1-22 preached at the Covenant Network Conference, November 1, 2013: "What is married? We say it all the time at weddings, we say it to partners getting ready to marry, we say it to couples working hard to stay married: At its core, marriage is not about passion or emotion or physical attraction. It is not about feelings. At its core, marriage is about covenant, commitment. It is about shared hopes and shared struggles and shared life. At its very best, marriage is an embodiment of God’s hesed – God's steadfast love and faithfulness."
"It's Time" - Amy Plantinga Pauw
An Address to the 2013 Covenant Conference, November 1, 2013: "... I want to linger for a little while on appeals to creation that have resulted in damaging views of marriage, because they have been so pervasive and influential in Christian tradition. I want to make clear at the outset that these views of marriage have been destructive for all people, not just LGBT folks. The movement for marriage equality is an opportunity for Christians to go back and articulate a better theology of marriage for everyone. Why should Christians support marriage equality? It’s time..."
Workshops Will Enrich the "Marriage Matters" Conference
Participants in the 2013 Covenant Conference, "Marriage Matters," will be able to choose two from among 15 exciting workshops. Take a look!
Daniel Vigilante Conference Scholarship
The CovNet Board of Directors has established a scholarship to help seminarians with the expenses of attending the Covenant Conference, in honor of the ordination of board member Dan Vigilante. All seminarians REGISTER FREE, but if you would like to apply for further assistance, you can download the application here. Application deadline for this year's Marriage Matters Conference, October 31 - November 2 in Chicago, is October 1. Contributions to the scholarship fund are also welcome!