A Wedding Hymn
Hymn-writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is offering a wedding hymn -- using the tune of the Thanksgiving standard, "We Gather Together -- with permission for use by anyone who supports the work of the Covenant Network and the request that donations go to the Covenant Network. The hymn was commissioned for the wedding of Paul Tellstrom and Carl Whidden on September 7, 2014.
A Session's Discernment Process on Marriage
The Rev. Stephanie Anthony explains the discernment process leading to the unanimous Session decision that "at First Presbyterian Church of Hudson, Wisconsin requests for Session consideration of marriage will not be denied based upon sexual orientation."
Covenant Network Grateful for Supreme Court Decision
The Covenant Network is profoundly grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court proclaimed that states may not refuse to grant marriage licenses to couples of the same sex, and must recognize valid marriages contracted in other jurisdictions. The decision expands marriage equality nationwide and affirms the equal dignity of all persons, removing one form of legal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The New W-4.9000: A History
As of June 21, all amendments to the Book of Order proposed by the 221st General Assembly (2014), having been approved by a majority of the presbyteries, have now taken effect. Read the story of Amendment 14-F, which is now W-4.9000.
2015 Conference Registration Now Open
Join the Covenant Network November 5-7 at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver to explore UNITY MATTERS, with keynote speakers Cynthia Rigby, Clifton Kirkpatrick, and J. Herbert Nelson; and preachers Kim Clayton, Paul Roberts, and Marci Auld Glass.
What's next for the Covenant Network?
A lot of people have been asking us over the last few months what’s next for us. Now that the presbyteries have voted to approve Amendment 14-F, affirming that ministers may officiate, and sessions may host, same-gender weddings, and now that LGBTQ people are being ordained in congregations and presbyteries around the country, what will the Covenant Network do? What does our mission look like going forward?Executive Director Brian Ellison addresses the question in this video.
No license to discriminate
With the rapid spread of marriage equality across the nation, lawmakers in a number of states are proposing controversial legislation, under the guise of protecting "religious freedom," that would allow businesses or even government officials to discriminate against same-gender couples seeking to exercise the same rights and opportunities that opposite-gender couples take for granted. Following longstanding PC(USA) policy, several presbyteries have adopted resolutions opposing such legislation.
Meet the two newest Covenant Congregations
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica (CA) and College Avenue Presbyterian Church (Alton, IL) have, by Session action, adopted the Call to Covenant Community. We welcome their partnership in our work!
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
TORN: Justin Lee's witness
Tricia Dykers Koenig suggests you read TORN: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, by Justin Lee.
The meaning and malleability of marriage
Jim Hudnut-Beumler predicts that the approval of Amendment 14-F will continue the movement toward marriage equality in a growing number of congregations -- not because ministers and sessions will be forced against their will, but because "'the power of one' has the power to change hearts and minds."
Faithful to Scripture and Open to Gay People
Looking for a concise way to explain that you support LGBTQ persons not in spite of, but because of the Bible? Download this brochure, prepared by the Rev. Steven Kurtz of First Presbyterian Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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.”
"Of Truth and Love"
A sermon by the Rev. Brian D. Ellison at the NEXT Church Conference, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago:"Speaking the truth in love. This is the change on which the church depends. Our growing up, by speaking the truth in love."
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."
A Prayer for Courage
The Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Interim Pastor of Black Mountain (NC) Presbyterian Church, preached this sermon the day after the Presbytery of Western North Carolina affirmed Amendment 14-F. Her comments at the presbytery meeting are included: "I cannot imagine our marriage apart from the church. And how much harder it must be to nurture and sustain a relationship that runs against the grain of society’s norms. Yet we have told our gay brothers, our lesbian sisters—up until now—that their desire to live in covenant faithfulness has no place in the life of the Church. In so doing, it seems to me that we have robbed them of the companionship and the counsel of the Church, and we have robbed the Church of the full measure of their gifts—and their companionship—and their counsel. For anytime we are withholding part of who we are from our community, we are offering less than God would have us give. And anytime we have cut off part of the body, we are not fully the church."
Nacoochee Witness
When the Presbytery of Northeast Georgia met to consider Amendment 14-F, both the Pastor of Nacoochee Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Robert W. Prim, and Ruling Elder Theodore Brothers shared their testimony.Bob: "The Bible does give a clear sense about God’s purposes for marriage — God has given us marriage so that human beings might grow in self-giving love. In this way marriage is a beautiful metaphor for God’s relationship with Israel and Jesus’ relationship with the Church."Ted: "Now, I know that many of you believe that I chose to be gay. You are wrong. Being gay is something God chose for me when I was born. Being gay is how I was created. For me, to deny being gay would be to deny God. I cannot do that. Nor can I deny the love that I have for my husband, Mike."
Presbyterian parents on Amendment 14-F
Mike and Debbie Regele are among many evangelical Christians whose views on same-gender relationships have been challenged when one of their children came out to them as LGBT. Each of them prepared remarks for the meeting of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos considering the Marriage Amendment 14-F.Mike: "The question I want to address in a few brief comments is why I am on the affirming side."Debbie: "This is my story — but it is only one of many families’ in our presbytery who face this issue in a personal way. So I speak for them too — please prayerfully consider supporting this amendment."
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."