More Light Presbyterians August Newsletter!

In This Issue *Staff Update: A note from our Summer Intern,     Zoë Goode *Coming Soon!! MLP Board Nomination   Application *Post 226th General Assembly Call to Action *MLP and Pride Recognition *Get Involved *MLP Merch! *Donate Today

Staff Update: A note from Zoë Goode

As I reach the end of my internship with More Light I want to express my gratitude for this experience and for the community that welcomed me!    Last spring I reached out to Claudia about the possibility of an internship with MLP. I did not not know if anything would come of it, but I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity for me. I have admired More Light’s work for a long time, and as a young queer presbyterian I have found a lot of hope in knowing such an organization existed. I know firsthand the importance of affirming faith communities, and as I’ve been discerning my future career I know that the creation and growth of such communities is something I am called to do.    This summer I have gotten the chance to witness and be involved in More Light’s work of centering and celebrating LGBTQIA+ members of the church. I traveled with Claudia to GA and The Wild Goose Festival where I was able to build relationships with longtime supporters of MLP and those who were hearing about More Light for the first time! I have also been working with Jesy on More Light’s social media and plans for a new website, as well as some brand new More Light swag (keep an eye out for that!).    It has been a joy to work with Claudia, Jesy, and More Light’s board this summer, and to meet with churches and individuals in More Light’s network. I continue to find hope in the justice-seeking and love-led work of More Light Presbyterians, and it is my hope that MLP continues to find new ways to engage the wider church in this work, even as More Light’s current community deepens their own commitment to MLP’s mission.  Although I will no longer be More Light’s intern, I plan to continue to be involved and can be found on instagram at zo.e.goode or by email at zoe@mlp.org (or zoeggoode@gmail.com).   ~Zoë

COMING SOON!!!

Join the More Light Presbyterians Board of Directors Be on the lookout in your inbox, on social media, and on the MLP website for the application! We need you and are looking forward to hearing from you.

Post 226th General Assembly Call to Action

As you likely know, this summer many from across our denomination gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah for the 226th General Assembly. Here commissioners discerned and voted on numerous overtures, including one of the most contested, Polity Overture 01, also known as the "Olympia Overture." For the full text of the overture click HERE. At the end of June, More Light Presbyterians issues a statement endorsing POL-01, which can be read HERE.   During the course of committee work the overture was split into two parts, and on the floor of the Assembly these were voted on separately. Thanks be to God, both parts passed by a sizable majority. As with all Polity overtures, POL-01 will go back to presbyteries for ratification. This is where YOU come in! Your testimony, your courage, and your willingness to speak out will be the driving force in what allows this overture to pass.    We know this can be intimidating! Over the next few months, More Light Presbyterians will be working alongside Covenant Network of Presbyterians as well as committees and teams from the PC(USA) to provide easily accessible resources for you to use as you need. We will break down the language of the overture, correct the misinformation that has been spread, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide some talking points as you engage in conversations with your fellow presbytery commissioners. Please be on the look out for these resources in your inbox and on social media!    Together we can move the PC(USA) to the church God is calling us to be.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Pride and being apart of MLP this year! We love to see it! Make sure you send us your pictures of your congregation celebrating and advocating for your LGBTQIA+ siblings!

In May, More Light Presbyterians released a statement condemning the violent genocide occurring in Palestine and called for a permanent ceasefire.    Since then we have been asked, on more than a few occasions, if we would be willing the sell the Palestine MLP logo we created. We are happy to tell you that this is now available in the MLP Shop! Click here to order yours today.

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 Unsubscribe | Manage email preferences