In This Issue

*Staff Update: A note from Claudia, Jesy, and Teddy

*Upcoming Events

*WELCOME OUR NEW CHURCHES!

*A word from our partners

*MLP Merch!

*Donate Today

From Director of Engagement: Claudia Aguilar Rubaclava

So… I saw this meme on social media (surprise?!) that has been living rent-free in my brain for the last few weeks. It says: “imperfect allies aren’t enemies” and then it gives 10 valuable lessons for stronger movements. I keep thinking about that phrase and it is so true: imperfect allies aren’t enemies.

Sometimes we get stuck when someone isn’t the perfect ally: when they make tasteless and mindless jokes, when they don't support all of our personal agendas, when they fail at speaking up that one time, when they are micro-aggressive. And when I say we, I mean I. I am so quick to dismiss someone once they fail my ideal of what their allyship should look like as if I was the perfect ally. And the truth is that I am far from perfect. I try really hard, every day, but I am not the perfect ally to any movement, so why do I expect that from others?

If we start focusing on building on people’s strengths and not their failures, maybe our movements will get somewhere. So I pray that we (I) change our focus so we can move forward.

-Claudia

From Director of Operations: Jesy Littlejohn

I have been rewatching The West Wing. This isn't new for me — I watch it a few times a year. Initially, when it aired in realtime, I wasn't versed in the nuances of politics. It was just a well-written, well-acted drama. As I grew up and watched in reruns my idealism would creep in and say "Oh, if only Bartlet were really the president!" Then, it became "Wow--this administration was actually plagued with scandal, none of this would fly today"

And then Donald Trump became President...again, and suddenly the fallibility of the Bartlet Administration didn't seem quite so problematic or out of the realm of possibility. If anything, the "scandals" that riddled the Bartlet Administration seem relatively mild compared to what we face today in the United States in 2025. In someways I am back to: "Oh, if only Bartlet were really the president!" Not because he's perfect or even ideal. My appreciation now comes from his willingness to own his fallibility, his weakness, his mistakes, and his responsibility. He is willing to be held accountable: To his staff, to the Office, to his constituents. His humility was his strength.

Claudia is right, we aren't going to be perfect allies. There is no such thing, but we do need to be willing to face correction. We need to be willing to be humbled. We need to be willing to see where we have messed up, so that we can move forward with the intent on doing better. Our strength comes from our humility. Our success comes from genuine community.

-Jesy

From our Intern: Teddy Brock

Dramatic works of art are interesting because, growing up, we are introduced to them as literature. As if they are something to be read. Whether it be Shakespeare, The Crucible, Streetcar, etc. While they are incredible works of literature, creating an accessible way for anyone to experience a different world that comments on ours, they are written to be experienced. To be breathed in. For the artist and the audience to share it.

I have spent the last four years studying this phenomenon. This life blood of our society (because that is what art is). The communities it builds and the effect theatre has on people is profound, historic, and deeply tied into religion…yet it is an aspect of society and religion that is profoundly under respected.

Whether it be a production in a living room, on Broadway, in a church (there are some great ones in NYC), at a high school, or at a community theater, these stories and communities change lives. They are a chance to breathe with art, with community, with life. So I say keep supporting art and their communities in any way you can, as an act of justice and resistance.

What I read in April:

*Fat Ham by James Ijames

*Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl

*John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower (also saw on Broadway, HIGHLY suggest)

*The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell

*Native Guard by Natasha Trethaway

-Teddy

Upcoming Events!

May 21: THE YOUNG ADULT GATHERING! Calling all 20-30-year-olds to join us at 7 pm EDT on Zoom for a time of connection and community. Contact hello@mlp.org for more information and check out our social media in the coming days for how to sign up!
June 24-27: The UKirk National Gathering. Join director of engagement, Rev. Claudia Aguilar at this event. She’ll have coffee hours so stay tuned on social media to see the times and spaces where you can meet with her.

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Ongoing: Presbyteries are voting on Polity Amendments 24A and 24 C. Amendment 24A has passed! Yay! We still need a few 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.

Quarter 1 of the 2025

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

“Gender variation is as old as stories about creation.” This is the very first sentence of the groundbreaking book Trans Biblical: New Approaches to Interpretation and Embodiment in Scripture. This brand new book interprets the Bible with a trans-positive approach.

You’ll explore Mordecai, Jael, and Jesus as potential trans and non-binary characters in the Bible. Plus, you’ll see that stories that may not seem like they are about gender identity can be interpreted from a trans lens, like The Good Samaritan, or John 1.

This book from Westminster John Knox Press can be on your bookshelf soon! Right now you can order directly from the publisher for a 40% discount at https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664268897/trans-biblical.aspx with the discount code TRANSBIBLICAL40 through May 10. Also available on Amazon and other retailers!

Trans Kids, Our Kids: Stories and Resources from the Frontlines of the Movement for Transgender Youth shares the stories of transgender youth and their families, exploring the choices they are making to survive in today's environment. The book also gives voice to the medical providers who are providing care to transgender youth, as well as the activists, teachers and faith leaders who are leading the resistance efforts.

By contextualizing and sharing these stories, as well as offering resources and next steps, Trans Kids aims to both narrativize the pain and fear experienced by everyday Americans in this cultural moment, as well as highlighting the courage, hope, and resilience of transgender and LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and the people who support them.

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 pictures of various LGBTQIA+ related events that you or your congregation have participated in? Let us highlight them! 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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