From Director of Engagement: Claudia Aguilar Rubaclava

Well… 2025 has been the longest year of my life. In a matter of hours, years of advocacy and hard work were dismantled with the touch of a pen. But to me, that is not even the scariest part of this dumpster fire situation we find ourselves in. It is that presidential rates of approval are 9% higher than they were 8 years ago in the same time frame. As much as we want to put this on an oligarchy, this has been signed, sealed, and delivered by the people. This is not an accident but the product of centuries of harmful theologies, ideologies, and political stances.

And I am so thankful that running parallel to those harmful theologies, ideologies, and politics, countercultural movements that seek liberation and love keep emerging and reimagining the world. More Light Presbyterians is one of those movements.

This last week, I had the chance to experience another one of those movements at the Q Conference, which took place in Atlanta. This conference brought together people from all Christian traditions - mainline, non-denominational, conservative, liberal, and everything in between - to worship God and celebrate the imago Dei of every person. In the midst of so much despair, this group of 700 people (this is my completely arbitrary count, not the official count) crafted a space for everyone. All needs were met: from special meeting spaces for those who were sensory-overwhelmed to break rooms for people of color to affinity groups for parents of LGBTQIA+ people. ASL interpreters in every gender and color. Live closed captioning (I always appreciate this as an ESL speaker). Space for service dogs. And above all, the radical feeling of warm embrace from every person you encountered.

I couldn’t help but think: what if all of us were that intentional about creating room and time for every person we meet, for every person who has felt alienated by the Church and society? What if we could do this out of remembrance of the radical welcome we received from Christ? My guess is that we would land on something that sounds very similar to: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”” (Leviticus 19:33-34 NRSVUE)

From Director of Operations: Jesy Littlejohn

I don't know about y'all, but January felt like the month that wouldn't end. I don't know what February brings, or the 46 months after for that matter, and that brings me a churning in my body that I can't quite calm.

The idea of separation of church and state does not mean that we abdicate our responsibility to speak truth to power. Even when our voices tremble, and all we can muster is a whisper, such a declaration is louder than the deafening silence of complicity. None of us are free until we are all free. Our liberation is dependent upon one another.

I am so proud of our MLP Board and Staff for speaking out against the recent slew of Executive Orders that have come from the current Administration. As our mission statement states we are called to ignite the prophetic witness of our ministry partners and by cultivating relationships rooted in accountability and care. I am thankful to be apart of and supported by an organization that takes this call to heart, and does not lay down in the face of hateful rhetoric and weaponization of God.

More Light Presbyterians is going to be with you as we traverse these next few years. I hope that we can continue to cultivate and grow together, rooted in Christ's love, and moving toward the flourishing of God's creation.

February 23: Join director of engagement, Rev. Claudia Aguilar, in worship and Sunday School at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth, GA.
March 9: Join our director of engagement in worship at Avenue Church in New York City.
Ongoing: Presbyteries are voting on Polity Amendments 24A and 24 C. We hosted a webinar in collaboration with Covenant Network to answer frequently asked questions. You can watch HERE

kin·dom camp is an opportunity for LBGTQIA+ youth ages 12-17 to feel safe and free to show up as their full selves. Campers have the chance to experience all the fun that camp has to offer in a week filled with affirmation, community, and celebration.

This camp is affirming – full stop. It affirms all genders, sexualities, identities, abilities, and varieties of belief. The only thing we expect is a commitment to welcoming and celebrating everyone where they are, as they are. Our 2025 camp dates are June 15-20 in Illinois and July 20-25 in Nevada and Texas. Keep up with us @kindomcommunity on Facebook and Instagram for camp registration information and other news!

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:

*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.

*Do you have Pride pictures? Keep them coming! Please email them to hello@mlp.org

*We are trying to collect a list of all of our former board members to create an MLP alumni group. Have you served on our board or do you know someone who has served on our board? Send us an email or fill out this form and someone will be in touch soon.

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

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