More Light Presbyterians July Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE Staff Update — A note of reflection from our Director of Engagement.  Upcoming Events — See where MLP will be over the next couple of weeks and how we can connect Palestine Statement — The MLP Board has released and official statement regarding the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Please be sure to share! Getting Involved More Light Merchandise Donate today!

STAFF UPDATE A note from Director of Engagement, Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava

Being the church is hard work. I have been wrestling with the question: what does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? Is it love when real, enfleshed beings are considered an issue? Is it love when disagreement is centered around a congregation’s ability to keep cash flow? Is it love when some of us need to be a special category in order to be treated like a full human being? The conversations I have seen make me question if it is love what I see. And yet, this is the place and the people with whom we are called to be the body of Christ. Those who don’t love us are those we are called to love. That is the heartbreak of being the church.    But joy is the other side of the coin.  Even as we learned that our work is still necessary as we seek to “center and celebrate the lives, gifts, and leadership  of LGBTQIA+ people,” one of the highlights of our work this month has been the hire of our summer intern, Zoë Goode. Zoë just completed her Sophomore year at Agnes Scott College where she is majoring in Religion and Social Justice. At Agnes Scott, she is a member of the Ukirk Exec team and Agnes Scott’s Interfaith Council. She has been involved in the PCUSA her whole life, and is a former Young Adult Advisory Delegate (GA22) and youth ministries intern. When she’s not working or away at college, Zoë likes to bake, cuddle her dog, and play board games with her family. She loves a challenge and is currently teaching herself to make chainmail. Zoë is thrilled to be More Light’s first ever intern, and is excited to see what the summer will bring!   We also rejoice in welcoming this year fourteen congregations to our network. These churches join us from 11 states, ready to roll up their sleeves and become agents of change in their communities and presbyteries.    It is this joy that keeps us going and keep us working. We are thankful for you all who are joining us in the work.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Join us July 11-14 at the Wild Goose Festival.   It's our first time visiting the Wild Goose Festival! We are so excited. Please be sure to stop over and say hi. Let's grab a coffee or a meal!     July 15-21, MLP will be at the Montreat Middle School Conference. Rev. Claudia Aguilar, our Director of Engagement, will be keynoting at the conference.

On May 29, 2024 the More Light Presbyterians Board of Directors and Staff released an official statement regarding on the ongoing genocide in Palestine and call for a permanent ceasefire.    We invite and encourage you to read the statement HERE

Do you have THE picture? Our story started with David Sindt holding a sign that said: “Is anybody else out there gay?” Everybody remembers the moment, but we don’t have a picture of it. Do you have a copy of this picture? Email it to hello@mlp.org

If you were holding up a sign at General Assembly or your Presbytery meeting, what would you say? Where is justice still needed? What work is still to be done? Send an email to hello@mlp.org with a 5 second video or an image of you (or anyone in your community!) holding a sign that would start a movement in our denomination and honor David Sindt’s courage!

Has your congregation paid dues this year? If not, you may submit them here. Your dues help us do this work.

There has been a lot of talk of LGBTQIA+ issues in the life of our denomination and in the world. Remember you are beloved by God and your place at Christ's table is set, and cannot be yielded. You are loved and deserve to be here. Be sure to order your stickers, like the one here, at the mlp.org shop!

Your gift helps to advance More Light Presbyterians mission to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Donate Today!

Our Contact Information More Light Presbyterians P.O. Box 735764 Chicago, IL 60673 (720) 288-0838 http://www.mlp.org