I am still fully aglow from the amazing, powerful, visionary worship service and Out of Order screening and panel discussion from Sunday. Over 500 people registered for More Light Sunday including several congregations and campus ministry groups who chose to dedicate their regular Sunday worship to being together with More Light. When we began planning, our hope was to convene a space where people could experience worship online from a place of abundance about how it was possible to worship intimately and creatively using digital tools. Since More Light’s beginning over 40 years ago, much of our work has been about reimagining and reforming how we are called to worship God, and I believe we have continued that legacy in the past few months since MLP churches’ worship has moved online. In years past our More Light service at the Presbyterian General Assembly has been the place where people experience a worship service led by LGBTQIA+ Christians for the first time. And while I am sad we won’t be in person this year at GA, I am so thankful that we were able to offer a service online to draw the circle wider.
However, even my own imagination was not prepared for the incredible gifts the worship planning team brought to More Light Sunday. Thankfully I was not alone in my awe of the space that was held for grief, anger, love, and community knit and bound together by God. We have heard from a number of you who felt that the service resonated with you and your experience. I am moved by the words of Rev. Eric Thomas who shared on More Light’s facebook page: “Thank you for helping *all of* us imagine our place in a new heaven and a new earth.” A pastor in the Presbytery of the James added, “I thought Worship was fantastic! I loved the creative, open, and welcoming style. You (and More Light) have lots to teach Presbyterians...and the world!” I also heard from a campus minister who shared that one student reflected that they finally saw a place for themselves in church leadership.
As part of our ongoing commitment to racial justice we are dedicating half of the offering from Sunday’s worship service to support Black Trans Femmes in the Arts. As part of its many projects, Black Trans Femmes in the Arts is currently offering accompaniment and support to Black Trans and Non-Binary Femmes who are participating in ongoing protests. As of today we have raised a total of $2225. We will be donating half of that amount on Monday, June 15. We are honored to stand alongside our Black Trans siblings in furthering protests against police violence and systemic oppression as one way of expressing our commitment to action. If you would like to make a contribution to increase that gift, you can do so on our website or by texting LOVEMLP to 72572. Thank you for your generous support!
We have heard from a number of congregations and community groups who would like to host public screenings of the film in the coming months. More Light will be taking over coordinating screenings and supporting those who want to share the film with their groups. Next week we will debut a new page on our website for that purpose!
On the 4th remembrance of the Pulse massacre, when 49 mostly young, queer, people of color were murdered at their beloved sanctuary for dance and community, we are called upon to continue honoring these victims of bigotry and injustice with action as well as all survivors of race and gender-motivated violence.
As we move forward, may the words from Sunday’s communion liturgy remind us: that "hope cannot exist without suffering, courage cannot exist without fear, and that we cannot fully exist without each other."
In deep solidarity,
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