MLP December Newsletter!

IN THIS ISSUE * Notes from the Staff * MLP Board Applications *Advent Devotional * Giving Tuesday * Upcoming Events

From our Director of Engagement

About a decade ago, I read for the first time a quote by queer poet June Jordan that stuck with me: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” The last sentence of her 1978 Poem for South African Women summarized centuries of social movements, telling us that liberation comes from a collective we. Through my work at MLP, I have learned that, the more we cultivate that collective we, the more equipped we are to resist whatever comes at us. So we dreamed of ways to nurture the we.  Our annual Advent devotional feeds our spirits and connects us to a variety of voices within our community. The Advent season can be a hard time for many of us, and this devotional makes us feel part of a community that genuinely cares about us. The retreat that will take place in April is another tangible way to nurture the collective we. The sole purpose of this gathering is to rest and connect, knowing “we are the ones we have been waiting for.” And I know there are many questions about it, so even though we have answered them before, it is essential to repost them. When is this retreat? April 17-19, 2026 (right after Easter!) Who is this retreat for? This is a space exclusively for our LGBTQIA+ siblings and the MLP board, which will be holding its semi-annual in-person meeting before the retreat.  Where is this retreat? Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, AR Why Ferncliff? Because the LGBTQIA+ community in Arkansas is suffering and Ferncliff has become a safe haven for our queer siblings (especially the young ones) and they need our support. Our presence in Arkansas is an act of resistance and defiance to an unjust system. Learn more about Ferncliff and the work they do to support the LGBTQIA+ community here and check out some of the programming they offer to our queer kiddos here.   What are you doing to ensure our safety? We are arranging direct transportation from the airport to Ferncliff (only 23 miles away) so no one has to use any other form of transportation.  What is the cost? Thanks to the dues of our member churches and the generosity of our individual donors, we were able to subsidize 50% of the cost for all participants, so depending on where you choose to stay (available on a first come, first served basis), the cost is $231.79 for those staying at the Brown Center or $170.17 for those staying at Williams Lodge. This price includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals, activities, sustainability and registration fees.  How big will this be? Since we want to ensure everyone gets privacy, we can accommodate 44 participants in single-occupancy rooms.  Where can I register? You may find all instructions to register here.  Do you have scholarships? Yes! We have ten $300 scholarships available for trans and BIPOC peeps. To apply, email hello@mlp.org a screenshot of your registration and we will give them to the first ten to apply.  How can I help? Your donations and annual dues help us fund this work. Please consider giving to MLP. -Claudia

From our Director of Operations

Let us be a sign of hope Let us be your arms of love Let us be the ones that say 'There is another way.' We are waiting for you We are waiting for you We are waiting for that Gloria in Excelsis Deo Gloria in Excelsis Deo — Waiting for You, The Many I was introduced to The Many a few years ago during Advent through the song above. It was refreshing, and also alarming, to hear a Christian band sing openly about the harsh realities of our world without the fake, glossed-over, repetitive spiritual bypassing that most Christian music perpetuates.  We are waiting, AND we will not stand still. We will move, we will be the arms of love and grace. We will work, effortlessly, to repair the harm we have done, and we pray, God, that we won't repeat the mistakes we have made. We will right the wrongs that have been committed in your name, and we will speak out until our voices go hoarse.  We are waiting for the promise You made to be fulfilled, God. We are waiting for you. -Jesy    ANNOUNCEMENTS   Be sure to check your inboxes on November 30th as we open our applications for you to join the More Light Presbyterians Board of Directors!  On this #GivingTuesday, More Light Presbyterian remains committed to creating spaces where queer people are not targeted, erased, or debated—but beloved, affirmed, and defended. Spaces where the Gospel means liberation, not legislation.   Your support helps us continue this work in a year when it’s needed more than ever.  Stand with queer people. Stand with More Light. Give today and on Tuesday! The holidays can be joyful — and complicated. Join More Light Presbyterians for a supportive conversation about navigating family dynamics, setting boundaries, caring for ourselves, and showing up as a needed ally during holiday gatherings.  Register Here   UPCOMING EVENTS! December 2:  Please make a contribution to More Light Presbyterians this Giving Tuesday. December 8: More Light Mondays will address the crucial question: how can LGBTQIA+ people navigate the holidays? This week be led by your favorite MLP directors. December 24: Join us in celebrating the birthday of Jesy Littlejohn, director of operations at MLP. Send them an email at jesy@mlp.org to celebrate them! And on January 1st, congratulate us and them on another anniversary of their employment with MLP because they have been a huge gift to all of us.  January 2-5: Montreat College Conference. Join Director of Engagement, Rev. Claudia Aguilar (she/her) and board member Avery Arden (they/them) to chat, grab coffee, attend a workshop, get swag or all of the above.  January 21-24: APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education) Conference in Pittsburgh. Join Director of Operations, Jesy Littlejohn (they/them) at the exhibit hall or for some appetizers at a time and location yet to be determined.  January 22-25: Q Conference. Join Board member Bethany Peerbolte (she/her) at the exhibit hall and grab some coffee with her.   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: *Has your congregation paid dues this year? If not, you may submit them here.Your dues help us do this work. *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 former board members to create an MLP alumni group. Have you served on our board, or do you know someone who has? Fill out this form, and we will contact you in the next few months.

Contact Us: More Light Presbyterians 14301 Laurel Bowie Road Laurel, MD 20708 Website: www.mlp.org