Sojourners - Where do we go from here?

A special message from Sojourners’ President, Rev. Adam Russell Taylor: Yesterday, millions of Americans sent an unmistakable message. And today, I am feeling something we all need more of: hope. Voters across the country pushed back against the politics of fear and division, reminding us that ordinary people still hold extraordinary power to shape our nation’s future. This is a moment to celebrate. It is not a moment to hit pause. Too often, energy fades the moment polls close. But the challenges facing our democracy and our most vulnerable neighbors haven’t vanished overnight. As Christians, our hope never rests in an election outcome or candidate. It is anchored in a God who calls us to seek justice and love our neighbors every single day. We cannot let this momentum dissipate. We must turn this moment of renewed hope into sustained, faithful action. That’s why I want to invite you to join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 5, at 5 p.m. ET, for a special free virtual conversation hosted by SojoAction: After Election Day: Where do we go from here? A live conversation on faith, justice, and shaping what comes next. RSVP for the Free Conversation Together, we’ll unpack what this election means, consider what lies ahead, and map out concrete ways people of faith can lead in the months to come. Because the question before us is not simply what happened yesterday, but what will we build tomorrow? Events like tomorrow’s virtual conversation — and the advocacy work that follows — are made possible through the generosity of people like you. Your support allows Sojourners to offer a compelling Christian witness at a time when our nation desperately needs one. If you’re able, I hope you’ll consider making a gift to Sojourners today. Your generosity will help us build on the momentum of this moment, equipping Christians to put their faith into action long after the election headlines fade. Support this work with a gift today > As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow wearing in doing what is right.” Thank you for being part of this work. May we celebrate this moment with gratitude, and then roll up our sleeves together for the work ahead. In faith and solidarity, Rev. Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners P.S. Ready to turn last night’s energy into the next step? RSVP here for tomorrow’s free virtual conversation at 5 p.m. ET. I hope to see you there.

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The Christian Recorder - Statement from the Commission on Social Action of the AME Church on the November 3, US Midterm Elections

Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Commission Chair Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director/Consultant Statement from the Commission on Social Action of the AME Church on the November 3, 2026 US Midterm Elections Our Votes Made History. Our Work Continues.   To our AME Church family and community partners: thank you for exercising your sacred right to vote. You honored our ancestors' sacrifices, stood up for our communities, and helped shape our nation’s future. We celebrate history made through the election of Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman elected governor in our nation. We also celebrate Juliana Stratton’s election to the United States Senate from Illinois and Cory Booker’s reelection in New Jersey—victories that strengthen African American leadership at the highest levels of government.  We also celebrate Congresspersons James Clyburn, Terri Sewell, Gregory Meeks, State Representatives Harold Love and Rashon Young,  Judge-Elect Tamara Curry and Mayor-Elect Tiffany Moore Russell and all other members of the AME Church who have been elected to public service at Federal, State and Local levels. Alongside these achievements, we recognize Roy Cooper’s Senate victory in North Carolina, Jon Ossoff’s reelection in Georgia, and Annie Andrews Senate victory in South Carolina. Together, these outcomes demonstrate the power of voters coming together across communities to shape the direction of our country. Even now, we continue to pray as votes are counted in Mississippi’s pivotal Senate Election. African American voters were an essential force in these elections. In North Carolina, preliminary voter polling showed that approximately nine in ten Black voters supported Cooper. Alabama Congressman Shomari Figures held a seat that was gerrymandered against his favor. Early reporting also points to strong participation in Black communities as an important factor in Southern victories. Our voices mattered. Our votes made a difference. To everyone who voted, organized, encouraged a neighbor, or helped someone reach the polls: thank you. You demonstrated that faith does not stop at the sanctuary door. It calls us into the public square. To our AME Church family and the people of South Africa who are voting today: we encourage your full participation. Honor the sacrifices that secured your freedom, exercise your sacred right to vote, and make your voices heard as you shape your communities’ future. Now our celebration must become accountability. Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Commission Chair Dr. Jaquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director/Consultant Click here for the presentation

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official periodical of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2026  The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

WCC News: WCC signs joint statement for respect for international humanitarian law

As the Global International Humanitarian Law Dialogue takes place in Geneva from 3-4 November, the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, and ACT Alliance have released a joint statement that presents findings from an applied research project that emphasizes the value of strengthening institutions, anchoring identities in humanity, and embedding safeguards against violations. Humanitarian aid workers at the Vama Siret border crossing connecting northeast Romania with Ukraine, 17 March 2022. Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia starting on 24 February 2022, millions of refugees have fled across the Ukrainian border into Romania. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 04 November 2026 “Faith-based organisations and religious leaders have a distinctive contribution to make,” reads the statement. “Deeply rooted in communities, we often hold relationships of trust and work through local networks.” Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, and the World Council of Churches, in partnership with the Geneva Graduate Institute, conducted research on international humanitarian law and faith-based advocacy covering Colombia, Nigeria, and the Philippines, that showed how religious leaders can engage armed actors, address dehumanising narratives, and open space for dialogue, often behind closed doors. “Our influence rests on sustained presence, and local legitimacy,” reads the statement, which calls on states to take three concrete actions: strengthen national international humanitarian law committees and civil society; invest in community-based international humanitarian law education; and recognise and resource local faith-based organisations as equal partners in early warning, humanitarian dialogue, and peacebuilding. Joint statement of Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance and the World Council of Churches on international humanitarian law See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

MLP November Newsletter!

IN THIS ISSUE *Notes from the Staff *Upcoming Events — More Light Monday! * A Word from Our Partners —Supporting the Mutual Liberation Delegation

From Claudia, Director of Engagement

If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen quite a few posts about Day of the Dead here in Mexico. It’s my favorite time of the year. So much orange and purple. We set up ofrendas (offerings) for our loved ones who have died. But it is more than just remembering the dead. It is about living life fully. El papel picado (punched paper, but it is punched with a chisel) shows intricate figures that are gorgeous. But they are made of tissue paper. Fragile, futile, and breathtakingly beautiful. Like life.  We write poems called calaveras (skulls) where we jokingly talk about a death that is certain. Our death. You know those sugar skulls you see everywhere? Well, those had originally your name on them. You are supposed to eat the sugar -sweet, like life- with your name on death’s lips. Day of the dead is about living life at its fullest while remembering those who came before us. It’s about becoming good ancestors (a term I first heard from Layla Saad). And I started to wonder (you can tell I have ADHD by how all of this was processed)... how are you and your faith communities living life at its fullest? How are you and your faith communities going to be remembered by the larger community? How do you (and I) become good ancestors? What risks are you and your churches going to take to be fully who you are? How do you live life knowing it is brief and beautiful and worth living?  I cannot answer that for you. But I want to be remembered by how fiercely I loved everyone. By how generous I was with my time and talents. By how unafraid I was of death and especially of the death of the church.  As we remember our loved ones, may we be inspired by their love, their courage, their resilience, their stubbornness. May we live life.      -Claudia

From Jesy, Director of Operations

I have been thinking a lot about relationships lately: what they mean to me, which ones in my life have been most meaningful, which have left me devastated and bruised, which have pushed me further, and which are a mix of all of those things.  I am someone who loves fiercely. I invest in relationships. I care deeply. I am abundantly loyal and protective. Can you hear the Enneagram 6 just oozing out of me? I am also deeply mistrusting. I have been hurt enough to be selective about where I invest my heart and in whom. That's not to say I don't care about everyone (love your neighbors, y'all; it's kind of the mandate), but I know who my people are: The ones who see all of me and let me see them as well. The ones who pour into me as much as I pour into them. The ones who inspire trust and vulnerability, and who feel just as safe with me as I do with them. This list is small, but it is sacred. I don't think this is uncommon, particularly in the LGBTQIA+ community. Coming out and living authentically shifts relationship dynamics in ways we can't anticipate. And in ways we do, but hope and against hope won't happen.  Marielle Kraft has a song out called "Right People Will Love You," and there is a refrain that gets me every time. "What if no one gets it Asking if you’re sure What if they say ‘I don’t know you anymore’ The right people will listen The right people will care They’re gonna thank you for the parts you finally shared They won’t have conditions Or ask you to change They’ll put on their shoes and walk beside you the whole way Some might take some time but they’ll show up too The right people will love you The right people will love you" As we enter a season of family gatherings, Friendsgivings, and endless social time, I pray you remember that there are people who see you, who will listen, who will care, and who will love you as you fully are. And moreover, I hope you are that person for someone else.  -Jesy

Upcoming Events!

Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming MLP events!

November 3rd: Get your butts to the polls! Go Vote!! November 9th: More Light Monday. Recovering from Spiritual Trauma.  November 12-22: Pray for the Mutual Liberation Delegation that will be traveling to the West Bank and Israel. See below for how you can support MLP folks who are going.  November 20-22: Jesy Littlejohn (they/them) will be leading a workshop at the Keep Awake Conference at Massenetta! If you're there, be sure to stop over and say hi (and get some swag) Week of November 23rd: Check your email for the release of the MLP Advent Devotional in English and Spanish! November 26-27: MLP staff and board will not be answering emails due to a National Day of Mourning of Colonial Roots...er...uh...Thanksgiving.           More Light Monday: Presbyterian Polyamory Stories

Join Rev. Brooke Scott, licensed social worker and therapist, as we discuss what spiritual trauma looks like, how it affects LGBTQIA+ people, and the ways in which we can care for ourselves and others as we seek to dismantle systems that perpetuate harm, including the church.

Click here to register

A Word From Our Partners

Supporting our MLP Siblings

More Light Presbyterians is grateful to be able to support and partner with SABEEL and FOSNA as we commit to learning and understanding the ways in which our siblings in Palestine continue to be impacted by ongoing violence. You can learn more about the delegation HERE.   As you are able, please contribute to the funding efforts of those participating in this delegation. The folks shown here are on the Staff or Board of MLP, or serve in an MLP congregation. If their crowdfunding page isn't listed, email hello@mlp.org for how you can support them.   Support Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin    Support Rev. Shawna Bowman   Support Rev. Ófe Abreu Rosario (click one-time giving, select Israel/Palestine fund)   Support Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava   Support Elder Kate Davoli   Support Justin Kyremes-Parks   Support Amy Kim Kyremes Parks

Get Involved!

Our collective wisdom and knowledge can take us farther than what we can do on our own. You can help us this month in a few ways: *Has your congregation paid dues this year? If not, you may submit them here. Your dues help us do this work. *Donate! We educate individuals and congregations, offer pastoral care to queer people and the ones who love them, we guide congregations as they seek to discern best steps, we advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in our denomination and in the public arena. We can’t do it without your help.  *In light of recent political developments, the number of LGBTQIA+ couples seeking to get married has increased. More Light Presbyterians is compiling a list of queer and queer-affirming clergy willing to officiate wedding ceremonies and preach at MLP congregations on short notice. Please spread the word widely within your networks. If you are in need of an officiant, please contact us at hello@mlp.org indicating your location and the date of the ceremony.  *Is your congregation supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in your context? If you have pictures, be sure to share so we can highlight your awesome and holy work!  Please email them to hello@mlp.org

Mail a Check: More Light Presbyterians, Inc. P.O. Box 735764 Chicago, IL 60673-5764   Contact Us: More Light Presbyterians 14301 Laurel Bowie Road Laurel, MD 20708 hello@mlp.org Website: www.mlp.org