There Is Room in God's Great Welcome -- A New Hymn
Presbytery hymn-writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has composed a new hymn for post-election Sunday and beyond, and generously made it available free of charge. (Please include an acknowledgement when you copy it!)
ACREC: Calling all Presbyterians to action
The Covenant Network joins with the PCUSA's Advocacy Committee on Racial Ethnic Concerns in lamenting that "Ours is a nation entrenched in systems of privilege and power that perpetuate racial injustice." ACREC, declaring that "as people of faith, we have no choice but to take a stand against this and in favor of the inclusive and equitable love of Jesus Christ," has issued a powerful call to all Presbyterians, and particularly the majority who identify as white, "to join us in breaking silence. Commit with us to raise our collective voice not just to proclaim the good news of God’s grace but to call out injustice, to call out the forces that threaten to tear us apart with xenophobic, racist, and islamophobic rhetoric. May we have the courage."Read the full ACREC statement.
Highlighting Covenant Network Congregations
Learn just a little about the vibrant ministries of some of our newest Covenant Network congregations - Balmoral Presbyterian Church (Memphis, TN), Guilford Park Presbyterian Church (Greensboro, NC), and Christ Church Uniting, Disciples and Presbyterians (Kailua, HI).
Jack B. Rogers: In life and in death we belong to God
The Rev. Dr. Mark Smutny, a former member of the Covenant Network Board and Jack Rogers’ longtime pastor, graciously agreed to share his reflections:We mourn the death and celebrate the life of The Reverend Dr. Jack Rogers, who died this past Wednesday, July 13 at his home in Pasadena, California at the age of 82. His memorial service bearing witness to the resurrection will be this Friday, July 22, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101, where Jack worshiped for decades along with his wife, Sharon.
CovNet Celebrates the Work of GA222: Real Progress Toward a More Just and Generous Church
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians celebrates the accomplishments of the 222nd General Assembly! Over and over, this Assembly advanced the cause of inclusion and unity, affirming LGBTQ people and moving us in concrete ways toward being a church as generous and just as God’s grace.
A strong, hopeful, healing response to Item 11-05
One item of business that has garnered some attention at the General Assembly this week, Item 11-05, is an overture calling for an “apology” to LGBTQ people by the church. The Covenant Network supports the action being recommended by the Assembly’s Social Justice Committee, which is to answer this overture with an alternate statement.
A Hymn for Orlando
We are grateful to Bruce and Carolyn Winfrey Gillette for sharing Carolyn's hymn in response to the Orlando shootings. "To a Place of Celebration" is available for your worship services and vigils.May our grief and prayers be accompanied by love and action.
Doughnuts and Discussion in Portland
The Covenant Network will welcome commissioners, advisory delegates, and observers on Friday evening, June 17, to the Voodoo Doughnuts Commissioners' Convocation. beginning at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church in downtown Portland.Greet one another while sampling Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnuts; hear about the Covenant Network's priorities for this General Assembly; listen to the moderatorial candidates introduce themselves; and learn some of the ways that you can participate effectively at this GA. Commissioners and advisory delegates will have an opportunity to meet others from their committee, along with volunteers who are there to support their work.
Our GA Luncheon: Toward a Truly Inclusive Church
Join us in Portland for the Covenant Network General Assembly Luncheon, Toward a Truly Inclusive Church: Reflections on Inclusion, Privilege and Equality - Monday, June 20, 12:00 noon, DoubleTree by Hilton. We'll feature a discussion, moderated by Brian Ellison, with panelists T. Denise Anderson, Jerrod Lowry, Bruce Reyes-Chow, and Jessica Vazquez Torres.
Overture 50… One Gay Man’s Reflection
'... It hurts, deeply, when I find some on “our side” too ready and quick to dismiss the pains among these sisters and brothers with whom we differ.'If we, LGBTQ Presbyterians and our allies, fail to acknowledge that, then we are failing them (and Jesus) in the same way too many of them have failed us (and Jesus) over the years. That does not mean that we should back away from what has been achieved, or from our ongoing advocacy for fully realized inclusion and welcome. But, I think it does mean that… for all the justness of it… pushing for an apology from the PCUSA is more harmful than helpful, at least at this point in time. Do I want it? Absolutely. Should I urge it? In charity and mutual forbearance, I think not. The wounds of the long struggle are still too open and raw, and the reaction is re-opening our own wounds and scars...'
LGBTQ-focused business at the 222nd GA
This year’s General Assembly will see several important items of business that affect the wholeness and well-being of LGBTQ people in the Church and in society. At each Assembly, the Covenant Network seeks to discern how our efforts can best support justice and grace in the decisions of the church’s highest council. This year, the Covenant Network has played a part in supporting those who have proposed some of these overtures and will work hard for their passage, serving as a resource as they come forward; in other instances, we will work either to oppose, or to encourage language that will make them more helpful to the church.
Join us at the 222nd General Assembly
It's time to purchase your tickets for the CovNet events at the 222nd General Assembly in Portland this June. Plan to join us Friday evening, June 17, for the Voodoo Doughnut Commissioners' Convocation, and Monday for the Covenant Network Luncheon.
Covenant Network Undertakes New Initiatives in a New Day
The Covenant Network Board of Directors announced today that it is recommitting to its work seeking a more just and generous church, living into a new and expanded mission of seeking inclusion and affirmation for LGBTQ people and working for reconciliation among people of all races and ethnicities, sexual and gender identities, and theological perspectives in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
A traditional marriage liturgy
As congregations continue to rejoice in the attainment of marriage equality in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), couples are working with pastors to craft meaningful worship services to celebrate their covenant commitment. Some are developing new forms, and others prefer a traditional liturgy.Bryant Hand and Chase Robinson chose the traditional route, and have graciously shared their order of worship.
Becoming a Multicultural Church
"What does God require of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the 21st century? How do we live our faith as congregations of believers within an increasingly multicultural nation and world? What do we think and how do we feel about opportunities for crossing racial and cultural boundaries and barriers? What will be our responses to entrenched racism in the coming days? What models will we pass on to our young people who will become leaders for tomorrow? Then what is the vision that will inspire and guide us as we make our choices today?"
Letters to Jerri: On the Bible and Same-Sex Marriage
Fifteen brief essays by the Rev. Dr. D. Mark Davis: 'I have written these “Letters to Jerri” in response to a question sent to me by a friend. Jerri and I began our Christian journeys as part of a theologically conservative and biblically fundamentalist faith tradition. I have moved on from that tradition, but my commitment to biblical theology is one of the many gifts that I received from that religious upbringing that I continue to appreciate.'
A La Familia - a resource in Spanish and English
Whether you speak English, Spanish, or both, you will benefit from this guide by the Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre of Iliff School of Theology in Denver, with the Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera and Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera. A La Familia: Una Conversación Sobre Nuestras Familias, la Biblia, la Orientación Sexual y la Identidad de Género (A Conversation About Our Families, the Bible, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) offers study and discussion questions for reflection as well as action ideas.