A Season of Welcome- Ken Cuthbertson
Ken Cuthbertson is a member-at-large in Santa Fe Presbytery, and a Parish Associate at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church. His book, The Last Presbyterian?, was published in May 2013. Read Ken's story on A Season of Welcome – https://aseasonofwelcome.org/.
A Season of Welcome - Janet Edwards
The Rev. Janet Edwards is a member at large in the Pittsburgh Presbytery. Read her story on the Covenant Network's website dedicated to celebrating the gifts of ordained LGBTQ Presbyterians, A Season of Welcome - https://aseasonofwelcome.org/.
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.
"The Gifts of God for the People of God"
A Sermon on Acts 11:1-18 by Drew M. Henry, La Placitas Presbyterian Church, NM, April 28, 2013: "My home church, the First Presbyterian Church of Selma, Alabama, has been on my heart and mind over recent months. That is the congregation that raised me in the faith and profoundly shaped who I am today. I would like to share with you a letter that I have written to them, and I ask you to join with me in holding them in prayer... I understand that much of the current conflict in the church there is focused on our denomination’s growing acceptance and support of people who are homosexual and their families in the life of the church. Please allow me to share a bit of my story..."
“Something Yet to Learn: Thinking from Behind the Lectern”
Robert Hoch, Dubuque Theological Seminary: "It happened before I knew it was happening. She stood up before the class, preparing to recite the words of the Lord’s Supper, behind a desk upon which we had set the cup, flagon, and bread. She centered herself and then she began to speak. And before we knew it, she and the class were swept up in the rite she was expressing.... As a community being formed by Christ, wherever we stand on the question of human sexuality, our openness to learning from one another should be a priority. Not because we all agree, but because we all have something yet to learn."
Weather Forecast
Jay McKell: "... But when thinking about the temperature not in the context of climate change but in the context of cultural change, as well as change in the church, this warming trend is turning into something which we can all celebrate. I am, of course, speaking about not only the acceptance but also the welcoming of GLBT persons into the mainstream of society as well as within the life and ministry of the Presbyterian Church..."
A Voice Was Heard in Ramah: some words about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut
A reflection by CovNet Board member Laurie Kraus: "The world is a harsh and violent place, especially for the most vulnerable among us. Like Rachel, we must refuse to be consoled; refuse to become numbed to the unspeakable, breathtaking ordinariness of gun violence, which in addition to these too-public massacres, recurs day after day in the hard neighborhoods of our great cities. Our rage at this careless disregard for the sanctity of the gift of life must exceed Herod’s and that of his angry, alienated progeny who we call “the shooter”: our rage must be prophetic, and it must fuel our passion for healing the brokenhearted and working for tikkun olam, the wholeness and transformation of the world, so that the whispered promise of the incarnation might yet be heard, by us and by those whose lives we touch: the light has shined in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it."
Remembering the Pioneers
This message from Blair Robertson, communicator for Affirmation Scotland, a Church of Scotland counterpart of Covenant Network, reminds us that the issues we face are transnational and the successes of the present-day are possible only because of the courage of our predecessors.~ Posted by Barbara Wheeler
Smudged Lenses
The Rev. Laurie Kraus celebrates the faith and the gifts of new Inquirer Danny Morales, and his first sermon: "...Since wearing glasses for a few months now, I’ve learned we don’t always see the smudges on them. Instead we get so accustomed to those smudges, that foggy vision, that we create or even become our own impediments to clarity, impediments to the voices that like Bartimaeus are still screaming..."
Journey Through the Land of Ahhs
An Autumn Devotion by the Rev. Jay McKell: "I want you to join me on a journey I took across Kansas recently. Actually it’s a journey we’ve been taking for quite some time now. We just may not have realized it. Join me in the driver’s seat as you use your imagination to create the pictures I describe. But before we get going I want to suggest you read Psalm 139:1-18..."
Two Ordinations: Reflections from Nancy Enderle
The Rev. Nancy Hutchison Enderle served the Covenant Network of Presbyterians as Interim Executive Director in 2011-12. As she prepared to conclude her service, Nancy shared her reflections at the Commissioners Convocation Dinner the night before the 220th General Assembly (2012) convened in Pittsburgh:I’d like to start these comments with the tale of two ordinations....
Chick-fil-A: My take
Ruling Elder Jean Reinhold, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, reflects on the Chick-fil-A controversy: "Whether they know it or not, everyone knows a gay person. Everyone’s life has been positively impacted by someone who is gay -- a teacher, a doctor, a dentist, a hospice worker. There are millions of gay people living in God's loving covenant. Throngs of gay Christians worship a compassionate God. The only way for me to help people understand that, and know who I am, is by meeting me. Stories change minds."
WE HAVE FAITH: LGBT Clergy & People of Faith Speak Out
The Covenant Network is pleased to be a co-sponsor of WE HAVE FAITH, a new photo-text exhibit by the creators of “Love Makes a Family.” You can bring the exhibit to to your community - book now!
We offer ourselves...
A prayer by Jay McKell: "...If 'there is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven,' then we would lift up an encouraging word to you and we would offer ourselves, strange as that seems, yes, we would offer ourselves as your supporters, your helpers in the ongoing, ever-challenging work of bringing to completion the good work which you began..."
Scott Anderson's Keynote - CovNet GA Luncheon
"I speak of imagination because I believe there is a movement afoot in our world. A movement for civil rights? Well yes, that’s a big part of the story. A justice movement to address ancient prejudices and right ancient wrongs? Well, of course. But there is a deeper, wider, larger movement that permeates these smaller ones. The movement of God, the One who has gone way out in front of us in the church on a mission to heal, and to reconcile, and to restore all of creation, the One whose gracious hand is visibly evident, I believe, in all of these unimaginables we are now experiencing, signs of the nearness of God’s reign."
Radical Hospitality
A reflection by Vicki Carmichael, Minister of Music--Choir Director at Trinity Presbyterian Church in University City, MO, shared as part of the communion service on Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012: "Radical hospitality doesn’t just welcome, it transforms."
Reflecting the Path of Christ…. With Pride!!!
Danny Morales reflects on Pride and the PCUSA.
Apologia for a Marriage
The Rev. Ken Cuthbertson reflects on his recent marriage to Doug Calderwood after more than 25 years as committed life-partners.
The Transgendered Journey: One Congregation's Experience
A Presbyterian church supports one of its families as they love their transgender child.
Still Working on Welcome
A personal testimony prompted by the new website, A Season of Welcome.