Rev. Carol E. Lynn

Covenant Dilemma Rev. Carol E. Lynn

Covenant Dilemma is a novel centering on a young, married clergywoman, Reverend Katie Tulen, serving a small semi-rural Christian church in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The surfacing of a homosexual couple in the congregation begins a story that introspectively focuses on the people involved and not the issue alone. The dichotomy of opinions regarding homosexuality represented within the congregation present several situations and events that complicate Reverend Tulen?s difficult responsibility of attempting to provide a faithful response. To deal with the multiple situations and personal dilemmas that arise, Katie considers physiological, sociological and general denominational factors, with scriptural references interspersed, concerning homosexuality. The church's receipt of a large benevolence encourages a successful building program while an investigation seeks to identify the perpetrator of a violent attack. Working to reconcile and maintain the covenant aspect of her congregation, Katie struggles with her pastoral responsibilities, her call to ministry and even her marriage. As the young woman pastor prayerfully strives to serve her Lord, her growing congregation and the burgeoning and diverse community that has begun to surround her church, an epiphany offers an unexpected stimulus for thought.