From Director of Engagement: Claudia Aguilar Rubaclava

“What can we do? How can we help?”These are the two questions I have heard lately from many of you. And while I have a list of things you can help us with and things you can do, I want to remind you that our work is more like making a mole (the delicious Mexican sauce made with over 40 ingredients over a long period of time) and less like going to Taco Bell where you get your taco shell and you’re done. Our work is like slow food, so the best thing you can do is to prepare your mise en place: learn all you can about LGBTQIA+ people, the definitions, the challenges, the legislations being brought forth, the theologies. Listen to the voices of the most marginalized among us. When you do that, get cooking: start changing your community’s policies to reflect God’s love for and embrace of all, make sure people are paid fairly, advocate at the city and state level, create safe places for people to be (and pee). And when the dish is ready, share the food with strangers and friends. That’s how everyone gets fed.

Below (under Want to Help Us?) you can find some ways to share this heavenly meal we call love. From whatever stage you are in.

-Claudia

From Director of Operations: Jesy Littlejohn

Can inclusive and affirming churches continue to grow? Yes. Not only can they continue, they should never stop trying to grow. I just don't mean in numbers. Our traditional metrics of growth (money, butts in seats, programs) don't always serve us well.

We should always be striving to learn more, do better, love harder and more expansively. The little things matter.

I have been out as Trans and Gender Non-Binary since 2017. I have used They/Them pronouns since 2017. Being misgendered is regular occurrence for me. I don't like it, but I also understand that among those who don't know me it is a fact of life. Societally, we have not shifted away from assumption. What bothers me, however, is that even among places that practice inclusivity and affirmation — even among MLP churches —assumption is still the default. In my home church, which I have been attending since 2013, I have lived openly and fully as myself for 12 years. I was married in this church to my wife (we were the first LGBTQIA+ couple to be wed on the property). My children were baptized in this church. When I affirmed my identity and legally changed my name, my pastor at the time performed a re-naming service and an anointing. I was surrounded by my congregation, loved and seen. I have been out as non-binary/trans for 8 years at this church, and I am loved. AND of this congregation, I can count on one hand how many of them use the correct pronouns for me. I have wrestled with this for years. I have made corrections, my wife and pastor and some other members have made corrections and still, little there's been little to no change. I don't believe it is malicious, and yet it is still hard. I notice the tension in myself most often when I have the opportunity to worship or preach in new places, and if I am misgendered it is so quickly and publicly corrected and received. I don't say this to shame my church — I love my church. These people are my family. And still even among those with whom we are most familiar, most cared for, there is always opportunities for growth and learning.

In times such as these, it is always best to listen to those who are asking for help, asking for change, who are naming when harm is being done. When we are trying to determine where we should go or what we need to do, it's best to turn to those who are saying "there is opportunity for us to do things differently, be better, love more."

Are we listening?

-Jesy

From our Intern: Teddy Brock

I was speaking with a friend on a day she was feeling particularly hopeless (days we all have right now). In the moment, there was nothing really to do except sit with my friend in her hopelessness. Time will do its work. Time will heal us…or at least heal us to a place where we can continue to fight.

It made me think about how we survive and take care of ourselves, and others, in this time. The answer comes back to small acts of resistance for me. I believe having the awareness of the small acts is important in collective resistance but also in an individual's health in the current political climate. These moments can be small: getting out of bed in the morning, writing a card to congress, reaching out to friends and loved ones to check in. Right now the goal is to deprive us of hope and love, and every one of these actions is spreading hope and love. Acts of resistance.

Sometimes we need to sit in hopelessness for a little bit. I have to remind myself it is ok to do so. We need to grieve the time we are living under an oppressive administration. But once time has done its holy magic, I hope to keep taking time to do my makeup, put on jewelry, and wear the clothes that make me feel expansive. It isn’t just healthy for me, but may just make someone else realize they can do the same. This is a way that love spreads. This is a way that resistance spreads.

Teddy

Upcoming Events!

April 6-9: MLP board retreat in Denver, CO. Join the MLP board on April 8 at 5:30 pm at Lady Justice Brewing (3242 S Acoma St. Englewood, CO 80110) for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. RSVP at hello@mlp.org and if you are one of the first 5 people, your first drink is on us.
April 14th at 10 am: Collective of Queer Christian Leaders Rally in DC. Join people of faith from many faith traditions, from many backgrounds as we seek to create a safe and just world for all. You can register here.
Ongoing: Presbyteries are voting on Polity Amendments 24A and 24 C. Amendment 24A has passed! Yay! We still need a several more for 24C to pass!
- We hosted a webinar in collaboration with Covenant Network to answer frequently asked questions. Watch it here.

Welcome our newest ministries

Rejoice with us as we welcome new ministries to the MLP network! At the end of each quarter, we will list our newest members so you can shower them with love.

Mt Hebron Presbyterian Church - Ellicott City, MD

The Table NWC - Wilmington, NC

Wingspan ILM - Wilmington, NC

Southminster Presbyterian Church - Arlington Heights, IL

Kenmore Presbyterian Church - Buffalo, NY

Support our partners at the office of the General Assembly, the office of Christian Formation and Presbyterian Publishing to complete the survey to help to study and formulate a plan for the future development of Reformed, Christian educational resources for faith formation and nurture, especially for congregational use.

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:

*Read Tomorrow Will Be Different by Presbyterian Congresswoman Sarah McBride.

*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.

*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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