
Marriage and Singleness - A Sermon Series
We are grateful to the Rev. Jon M. Walton, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, for permission to share his sermons:Marriage, Bible StyleWhy Marriage?Marriage: A Civil Contract Between Two Persons?One Is Not the Loneliest Number

Divided Votes, United People
CovNet Executive Director Brian Ellison reflects on the experience of the 221st General Assembly and how that gracious spirit can be mirrored when presbyteries consider amendments to the Book of Order and other potentially controversial issues.

Freedom to marry expanding for families in 5+ more states
The Supreme Court has declined to review lower circuit court rulings upholding marriage equality in five more states. Why does marriage matter to families and communities? Listen to Monica and Sue talk about their own lives.

Wedding as Witness
MARRIAGE MATTERS... and the wedding can be a witness to our faith.Listen to the testimony of David and Lee.

Is gender complementarity essential to Christian marriage?
An oft-cited reason claimed by opponents of same-gender marriage is the concept of “gender complementarity — the idea that men and women are different from one another in essential ways, and that Christian love depends on the pairing of just those differences.” Duke University Professor Mary McClintock Fulkerson critiques this idea in her essay from the Covenant Network’s 2006 publication, Frequently Asked Questions about Sexuality, the Bible & the Church: Plain Talk About Tough Issues.

A Funny Thing Happened
Laura Mariko Cheifetz on her own marriage: "I had become so accustomed to keeping this relationship under wraps in certain segments of the church. And I learned that being public meant something not just to us, but to other people. Neither of us missed the irony that our marriage happened in full view of another church and another state, instead of our own..."

Why the Marriage Amendment Matters
Tricia Dykers Koenig: Given that the GA's authoritative interpretation of W-4.9000 affirms that ministers may use their discretion in officiating at marriages of same-gender couples, does it matter if the presbyteries approve the proposed Marriage Amendment, 14-F?

Why Marriage Matters Now: Thoughts as the Church Talks About Same-Sex Marriage
Brian Ellison reflects on what's at stake in the approval of Amendment 14-F: fundamental Christian values, the quality and content of the Church's mission, the lives of people.
Benton: a change of heart, a plea for forgiveness
The Rev. Marc Benton's complaint against the Presbytery of Hudson River in 1999 led to a decision by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission forming an important precedent in the development of the constitutional interpretation about marriage in the PC(USA). In a statement to be presented at the next meeting of the presbytery, Benton explains how he changed his mind about same-gender marriage, and asks forgiveness.

Why Marriage Matters
Marriage matters to persons who are beloved members of our churches - and of the human family. Listen to Chris and Andy tell their story.

Preaching Human Sexuality
A sermon series by the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey K. Krehbiel, pastor of Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, DC, exploring Genesis 2, Genesis 38, Genesis 19, Romans 1, and I Corinthians 7.

What Do Presbyterians Say About Marriage?
David Jensen: "The biblical authors and Reformed heritage both assume that a marriage covenant is between a man and a woman. The question of same-sex marriage simply does not enter their interpretive world. Since the church must continually re-interpret its heritage in light of new questions in the attempt to be faithful to the Good News of Jesus Christ, Presbyterians are warranted in asking whether or not the distinctive strands of our tradition would allow for or prohibit same-sex unions or marriages. The burden for either side, in my opinion, lies in whether proposals for same-sex unions meet the theological criteria for marriages outlined in our tradition: May such unions, as Westminster stresses, serve the common good? Are they dim reflections of God’s covenant with humanity, as the Old Testament suggests? Do they direct human persons to one another and to the ultimacy of God’s Reign as the New Testament upholds? Do they, as Calvin urged, model restraint from sin and joy in companionship? Do they, however imperfectly, anticipate God’s communion with all creation in Christ, as our liturgy celebrates?"

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!

"By the authority of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)"
Former Covenant Network Board member Kent Organ reflects on the joy of witnessing the wedding of Gerri Mead and Gail Russell at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, where he had served as Interim Pastor: ' Lincoln Park's current pastor, Beth Buckingham-Brown, said that this wedding was performed "by the authority of the State of Illinois." Just before that, her co-officiant, a longtime friend, supporter and adviser to Gail and Gerri -- as to many gay and lesbian couples in our denomination -- the Rev. Janie Spahr, declared, "By the authority of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)..." and we all erupted in enthusiastic and sustained applause.'

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...

Framing the Shots
Address by CovNet Co-Moderator Randy Bush to our Commissioners' Convocation Dinner at the 221st General Assembly: "What photos are you going to take of this General Assembly? What pictures will capture the spirit of our denomination – that capture the challenges and hopes of the Presbyterian Church and the church of Jesus Christ today?"
UPDATE: Frequently Asked Questions About General Assembly Marriage Actions
We've heard from many congregations, pastors and mid-council staff that it would be helpful to have some clarity about what the 221st General Assembly did -- and did not do -- about marriage. To assist the church in processing the meaning of the authoritative interpretation and proposed amendment to W-4.9000, the Covenant Network has prepared the following list of questions and answers.

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..."
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Address to the Covenant Network by Dr. Mark Achtemeier, 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA): "There have been previous General Assemblies where I worked very hard to pass the constitutional ban on gay people serving in the ordained ministries of the PC(USA). I am co-author of the declaration of faith that the Presbyterian Coalition adopted to unite its members in their opposition to gay inclusion. I keynoted the National Celebration of Confessing Churches, which rallied conservative congregations to stand fast in the struggle to keep the constitutional ban in place.And yet here we are today. I remain fully committed to a high view of biblical authority. But I stand before you as a chastened disciple who now recognizes that the witness of scripture comes down overwhelmingly on the side of gay inclusion."