Covenant Network Goals for the 220th General Assembly
Remarks by National Organizer Tricia Dykers Koenig to the Covenant Network Luncheon, Monday, July 2, 2012: No turning back!
Knowing We Are All the Image of God
A reflection by Laurie Kraus: "...Our families are not all the same: the children we treasure have come to us from birth, surrogacy, national and international adoption, or foster care; and we connect with friend or partner or spouse in a variety of ways. One thing I believe is common among us: that we all are formed in our relationships by Love, which comes from God; and that we all of us, are made truly in God’s image and living a life of faith intended to let that God-image shine forth more clearly. We listen to one another, share our stories and practice community together because it is the way Christ has taught us to see the face of God..."
On Churches Disaffiliating from the PCUSA
A Sermon on Acts 10:9-16, 15:1-11, by Thomas C. Willadsen: "Peter had to give up his concept of what God wanted from him. He gave that up when he saw what the Holy Spirit was doing among different people. I do not think this was easy for Peter to do. The Holy Spirit pushed Peter to broaden his understanding of religion, faith and tradition, the very things that had told him who he was and who God was. I don’t think it was easy for Peter to do this."
The Threat of Literalism
An essay by Kenneth E. Kovacs: "...reality is infinitely more complicated and complex than fundamentalists will acknowledge, actually more than they are free to admit. Fundamentalism, especially the religious variety, is the very opposite of freedom. It’s a form of bondage..."
Build Up the Body of Christ in Love
A sermon by the Rev. Sara Hayden: "So, they recalled his way of life. How Jesus went to the margins and borders of the cities, lakes and called to people who were hungry, outcast, forgotten, and otherwise lost. His ears and eyes were attentive as people called to him. Sometimes for healing, sometimes for money, sometimes for attention. Jesus went to them. He learned their needs. He developed their gifts. He recognized the spiritual gifts of exceptional people – many, like Martha and Mary – who had never been encouraged before to use them. Not merely for themselves, but for the world."
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."
The Church is for Blessing
A reflection on ministry, church, relationship, love, holiness, and the PCUSA General Assembly, by Marci Auld Glass:Because these two young men LOVE Jesus. They LOVE the church. They LOVE each other. And the place they most wanted to be to celebrate their relationship is in a church.What, exactly, is our problem with this?
Brian Ellison welcomed as Executive Director
The Covenant Network Board of Directors is pleased to welcome the Rev. Brian Ellison as the new Executive Director.
The Language of Love
Reflections by Randy Bush East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA: "To move from the cultural language about love to the spiritual language of love, it is important to remember that love is primarily directed away from us."
Rethinking Morality
A sermon on Mark 7:1-23 by the Rev. Dr. Dan Anderson-Little: "Yes, actually I do think we have Jesus to blame for this ongoing rethinking of morality—for that is exactly what he is doing in this story."
The Trouble with the Church
A Sermon by Dr. Mark Achtemeier: "The trouble with inviting Jesus into your home is you don’t just get Jesus, you get the friends who show up with him."
Absolutely Everyone
A sermon by Baron Mullis to Morningside Church, Atlanta: "... I love standing up here and telling our visitors that when we say welcome, we mean it. And what I want you to know, and to be able to share is this: we don’t say it in spite of scripture, we say it because of Scripture!..."
CovNet at the 220th GA
As always, the Covenant Network will have a robust presence when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meets in General Assembly in Pittsburgh this summer. Join us for the Commissioners' Convocation Dinner on Friday and the Luncheon on Monday.And as you anticipate General Assembly this summer, join us in praying for the Moderator of the 219th GA (2010), Ruling Elder Cindy Bolbach.
A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality
A Sermon by Louise Westfall to Central Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 2011.
Philip's Conversion
A sermon preached by Jon M. Walton to the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, May 6, 2012.