by Brian Ellison | Jul 2, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions
Presbyterian teaching elder Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, who with her husband, Bruce, co-pastors Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, has a well-known ministry writing hymns that enable worshipers to respond liturgically to what’s happening in the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 29, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions
By Stephanie Anthony The session of the church I get to serve, First Presbyterian Church in Hudson, Wisconsin, met for a special meeting on Saturday morning, April 11, and something wonderful happened. About half way through a Spirit-filled two hour meeting, the...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 26, 2015 | Covenant Network News, Marriage & Civil Unions
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...
by Brian Ellison | Mar 5, 2015 | Covenant Congregations, Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
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 Prim: God is love, and those who abide in...
by Brian Ellison | Mar 2, 2015 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
Debbie and Mike Regele prepared these remarks for the debate on the Marriage Amendment 14-F at the Presbytery of Los Ranchos. Debbie is a ruling elder from Laguna Presbyterian Church. Mike, a teaching elder, is president and CEO of DecisionInsite, LLC, which...
by Brian Ellison | Nov 10, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
The Rev. Larry Owens Keynote Address ~ Covenant Network Regional Conference Idlewild Presbyterian Church ~ Memphis, TN ~ November 8, 2014 “Lord, we are forever asking you for many things, and what you are forever giving...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 25, 2014 | Amendment 14-F, Biblical Interpretation, Marriage & Civil Unions
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...
by Brian Ellison | Sep 19, 2014 | Amendment 14-F, Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
By Laura M. Cheifetz Marriage equality was not that important to me. The history of marriage and its current state among straight people renders it a questionable patriarchal institution, mostly tied to property and the potential for abuse. Straight people have done...
by Brian Ellison | Jul 29, 2014 | Marriage & Civil Unions, Personal Testimony
Dear Covenant Network friends, On Saturday, July 26, Vicky and I attended the wedding of Gail Russell and Gerri Mead at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Their loving bond has been an inspiration for years. Now, at last, it could be blessed officially by...
by Brian Ellison | Jun 15, 2014 | 221st GA (2014), Marriage & Civil Unions, PC(USA) History & Polity, Personal Testimony
Why the Church Needs a New AI Clarifying that Officiating Ecclesiastical Marriage Services for Same-Gender Couples is Not an Offense By Tim Cahn A new authoritative interpretation (“AI”) of the PCUSA Constitution is needed to ensure that teaching elders have...