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Covenant Network
of Presbyterians |
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Statement on the General
Assembly’s Adoption
of the Report and Recommendations of
The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church
By the Executive Committee of the Covenant
Network
June 20, 2006
The Covenant Network has prayed that the Holy Spirit would
lead commissioners to a faithful response to the Theological Task Force
report. In approving the report as amended, the General Assembly has called
the church to a higher standard of life together. While the Church still
faces deep disagreements, the Assembly has given us an opportunity to
recover our oneness in Christ.
The Assembly has reaffirmed the responsibility of sessions
and presbyteries to apply ordination standards set by the whole church. In
doing so, the Assembly has clarified the historic responsibility and
authority of local governing bodies to discern gifts for ministry in those
whom they know best. We look forward to working with Presbyterians across
the church to live into this new time with serious theological and biblical
reflection and faithful discernment.
We remain committed to working toward a church as generous
and just as God’s grace. |
| Covenant Network Commissioners' Dinner
On Wednesday evening, June 14, the eve of General Assembly, Susan Andrews,
Moderator of the 215th General Assembly, spoke to commissioners and friends
at the Covenant Network Commissioner's Dinner.
Her remarks
are posted here.
Covenant Network Board Member, Tim Hart-Andersen also addressed the
audience, speaking to Covenant Network's goals for not only this General
Assembly but also affirming Covenant Network's dedication to the full
inclusion of gay and lesbian Presbyterians. A report on the dinner and
Hart-Andersen's remarks
is
available here.
Covenant Network Luncheon
Cynthia Campbell, President of McCormick Seminary, served as the keynote
speaker at Friday's Covenant Network Luncheon. In her address, "Reformed,
Not 'What' We Are But 'How'," Campbell explores the tension of what it means
to be always open to the Holy Spirit.
Her
remarks are available here.
Covenant Network Co-Moderator Jon Walton spoke to the Task Force Report
and to the Ordination Overtures.
His
remarks are here.
[Provided by Anitra Kitts-Rasmussen, Covenant Network. Posted 6-19-06]
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Covenant Network of
Presbyterians
Board of Directors
A Time for Hope in the Church
May 9, 2006
[5-9-06 - provided by Covenant Network]
In August 2005, the Theological Task Force on Peace,
Unity, and Purity of the Church released its final report. At that time, the
Executive Committee of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians issued a
statement committing ourselves to study the report. We have done that. We
have also listened to the responses of other Presbyterians, including those
with whom we disagree on matters before the Presbyterian Church (USA). We
have prayed about the report with sisters and brothers in Christ, together
seeking the will of our Lord.
Here are some things we have learned:
 | The process of discernment in presbyteries over the
last eight months has shown that the great middle of the church views this
report as a source of hope.
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| There is widespread gratitude and approval for the
theological reflection with which the report begins.
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| Good and faithful Presbyterians continue to disagree on
ordination standards. We are disappointed that the Task Force has not
found a means of immediately recognizing that gay and lesbian
Presbyterians are called to the ordained offices of the PC (USA).
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| The Task Force has reminded us what it means to be
Presbyterian, with national standards applied by local governing bodies.
In so doing, it has lifted up for the church traditions and practices that
have been affirmed by Presbyterians countless times in addressing
ordination standards, especially in periods like the present, when there
is deep disagreement about significant issues.
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| The Task Force recommendations have not satisfied
everyone. Some are unhappy with deficiencies in our standards; others are
unhappy with deficiencies in their enforcement. It appears to us that the
Task Force has invited the 217th General Assembly to adopt an orthodox
view of both our standards and their enforcement.
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| Prompted by the unanimity of the Task Force report,
there is a new spirit of mutual forbearance among many Presbyterians.
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| A number of influential leaders, including almost all
living former General Assembly Moderators, and all of the Presidents of
our Presbyterian seminaries, have endorsed the full Task Force report.
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| We are among the many who find compelling the Task
Force’s plea that we show the world how the gospel of Jesus Christ enables
us to live with and love those with whom we deeply disagree. |
In light of all we have learned in the past months, the
Covenant Network’s Board of Directors believes that the church stands at a
remarkable moment of hope that will not come again soon. As our contribution
at this critical juncture in the life of our church:
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| We hold fast to our conviction that God is calling
faithful gay and lesbian Presbyterians to full inclusion in the life and
leadership of the church, and the deletion of G-6.0106b remains our goal.
But we acknowledge that the Covenant Network has contributed to a partisan
spirit in the denomination by our tendency to draw apart from those who
differ with us. We repent of anything we have done to undermine respect,
understanding, and love among those who disagree about important matters
before the church.
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We are foregoing our usual practice of suggesting to
commissioners, in advance of the General Assembly, how they might act on
various items of business. We trust that the voice of the Holy Spirit may
be heard more clearly if the voices of partisan advocacy are still. We
believe that it is time to step back and allow commissioners to pray, to
listen, and to discern for themselves what will best lead to a church that
is as generous and just as God’s grace. More than ever before, with the
example of a unanimous Task Force before us, we are confident that
commissioners will find and follow the will of God.
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| We have encouraged presbyteries to send overtures
seeking the deletion of G-6.0106b and related clarification of our
ordination standards. As commissioners engage in the ongoing process of
discernment, we will continue to support these overtures, trusting that
the Spirit will lead the commissioners to a faithful response to the Task
Force report and the related overtures they will consider. |
We invite our fellow Presbyterians, especially those in
issue-oriented groups like ours, to join in a spirit of expectation, prayer,
and receptiveness to what God will do through this 217th General Assembly.
We trust that God will do more, through Christ Jesus, than we have yet asked
or even imagine possible. This is a time for hope in the church!
This statement
is also posted on the Covenant Network web site. |
Covenant Network publishes booklet on sexuality, the
Bible, and the Church
[4-29-06]The
Covenant Network has just published a 120-page booklet, edited by Ted Smith,
entitled Frequently Asked Questions About Sexuality, the Bible, and the
Church, with 26 brief chapters (3 o 4 pages) by as many scholars,
theologians, and ministers (these can be overlapping designations!). The
contributions are low-key and informative. The booklet should be helpful for
informing and broadening a variety of people.
More information
>>
Their price is $5, or $3 in quantities of 10 or more. They can be paid
for on-line at $5; for the reduced rate, e-mail
rosemaryb@covenantnetwork.org |
Covenant Network Events
Wed 6/14,
Thur
6/15, Fri
6/16,
Sat 6/17,
Sun 6/18,
Mon 6/19,
Tue 6/20,
Wed 6/21
Wednesday, June 14
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5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Moderators' Commissioners Reception
Sponsored by the Covenant Network
(Sheraton Hotel)
Former GA
Moderators and Covenant Network board members welcome
commissioners and others for conversation and refreshments. 2006
General Assembly Moderatorial candidates have been invited to
attend.
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6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Covenant Network Commissioners’
Convocation Dinner
(Sheraton Hotel)Susan Andrews,
Moderator of the 215th General Assembly and pastor of Bradley
Hills Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland holds up our vision
for the church and our hopes for this General Assembly in her
address entitled “The Purity of Unity.” An opportunity for
commissioners, advisory delegates and observers to think together
about how to make a difference in the coming week. |
Thursday, June 15
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11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Covenant Network of Presbyterians
Commissioner Orientation (Medical Forum)
Particularly for commissioners, this event will
include an overview of issues before the General Assembly, G.A.
procedures, and recommendations on how to function most faithfully
and effectively. This is a brown bag event, so bring
your box lunch from pre-GA events, or pick up a sandwich
at one of the concession stands.
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Friday,
June 16
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12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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Covenant Network Luncheon
(Sheraton Hotel)
Fifty years after the first clergywomen were
ordained, McCormick Seminary President Cynthia Campbell and other
Covenant Network leaders reflect on our continuing vision of a
church that embraces the ministry of all believers, and our hopes
for this General Assembly in this presentation titled,
Reformed: Not 'What' We Are But 'How'
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8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
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Covenant Network Open House
(Sheraton Hotel)Renew
connections, put faces with names, and share ideas, conversation
and refreshments with Covenant Network board members and friends.
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Saturday, June 17
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11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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Turning Points
Video Screening - Covenant Network
(Medical Forum)Turning
Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church
is a documentary about Presbyterians struggling with the
denomination's current ordination standards. Each of the four
stories explores real lives and frames them with theological and
biblical insight. This acclaimed documentary has
been screened at International Film Festivals and has earned a
Religion Communicators Council 2005 DeRose Hinkhouse award.
Sponsored by the Covenant Network of
Presbyterians. |
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2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Turning Points Video Screening -
Covenant Network
(Medical Forum)Turning
Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church
is a documentary about Presbyterians struggling with the
denomination's current ordination standards. Each of the four
stories explores real lives and frames them with theological and
biblical insight. This acclaimed documentary has been screened at
International Film Festivals and has earned a Religion
Communicators Council 2005 DeRose Hinkhouse award.
Sponsored by the Covenant Network of
Presbyterians. |
Sunday,
June 18
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2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Turning Points
Video Screening - Covenant Network
(Medical Forum)Turning
Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church
is a documentary about Presbyterians struggling with the
denomination's current ordination standards. Each of the four
stories explores real lives and frames them with theological and
biblical insight. This acclaimed documentary has been screened at
International Film Festivals and has earned a Religion
Communicators Council 2005 DeRose Hinkhouse award.
Sponsored by The Covenant Network of
Presbyterians. |
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4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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Turning Points
Video Screening - Covenant Network
(Medical Forum)Turning
Points, Stories of Life and Change in The Church
is a documentary about Presbyterians struggling with the
denomination's current ordination standards. Each of the four
stories explores real lives and frames them with theological and
biblical insight. This acclaimed documentary has been screened at
International Film Festivals and has earned a Religion
Communicators Council 2005 DeRose Hinkhouse award.
Sponsored by The Covenant Network of
Presbyterians. |
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8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
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Covenant Network Young Adults Open
House
(Sheraton Hotel )This is a
special event for pastors, seminarians, TSADs, YADs, and other
CovNet friends under 40.
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Monday,
June 19
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8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
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Morning Prayers
(Medical Forum)
Sponsored by the Covenant Network of
Presbyterians. All are invited to begin the day by praying for our
church, our world and the work of the General Assembly, led by
Covenant Network board member, J. Barrie Shepherd, poet and pastor
emeritus, First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.
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Tuesday, June 20
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8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
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Morning Prayers
(Medical Forum)Sponsored by the
Covenant Network of Presbyterians. All are invited to begin the
day by praying for our church, our world and the work of the
General Assembly, led by Covenant Network board member, Laird
Stuart, pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco.
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Wednesday, June 21
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8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
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Morning Prayers
(Medical Forum)Sponsored by the
Covenant Network of Presbyterians. All are invited to begin the
day by praying for our church, our world and the work of the
General Assembly, led by Covenant Network board member, Joanna M.
Adams, pastor of Morningside PC, Atlanta. |
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Do you want to
be notified whenever something new is added to this web site?
Just send a note, and we'll add you to our e-list for brief
notes when something new is posted here.
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This website has been created by a number of progressive
organizations related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), with two
main purposes: 1. We
want to share our concerns and views with commissioners and others
attending the Assembly, and with anyone else who is watching from
afar. While some of our groups focus on one area of concern
and others are more general in their focus, we are all committed to
the wholeness of our world, which we understand to involve justice
and peace and the well-being of all people; and we are committed to
the wholeness and health of our Church and its witness and service
in the world.
2. We want to get to know
you better and serve your concerns and needs in any way we can.
So we will invite you to share your views with us and with one
another with any email responses or questions. We'll invite
your responses with links here and there, and we'll try to post
those that seem to contribute to our conversations.
Just send a note now, and tell us how we can be helpful!
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