IN THIS ISSUE

*Notes from the Staff

*Upcoming Events — More Light Monday!

* A Word from Our Partners —Supporting the Mutual Liberation Delegation

From Claudia, Director of Engagement

If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen quite a few posts about Day of the Dead here in Mexico. It’s my favorite time of the year. So much orange and purple. We set up ofrendas (offerings) for our loved ones who have died. But it is more than just remembering the dead. It is about living life fully. El papel picado (punched paper, but it is punched with a chisel) shows intricate figures that are gorgeous. But they are made of tissue paper. Fragile, futile, and breathtakingly beautiful. Like life.

We write poems called calaveras (skulls) where we jokingly talk about a death that is certain. Our death. You know those sugar skulls you see everywhere? Well, those had originally your name on them. You are supposed to eat the sugar -sweet, like life- with your name on death’s lips. Day of the dead is about living life at its fullest while remembering those who came before us. It’s about becoming good ancestors (a term I first heard from Layla Saad).

And I started to wonder (you can tell I have ADHD by how all of this was processed)... how are you and your faith communities living life at its fullest? How are you and your faith communities going to be remembered by the larger community? How do you (and I) become good ancestors? What risks are you and your churches going to take to be fully who you are? How do you live life knowing it is brief and beautiful and worth living?

I cannot answer that for you. But I want to be remembered by how fiercely I loved everyone. By how generous I was with my time and talents. By how unafraid I was of death and especially of the death of the church.

As we remember our loved ones, may we be inspired by their love, their courage, their resilience, their stubbornness. May we live life.

-Claudia

From Jesy, Director of Operations

I have been thinking a lot about relationships lately: what they mean to me, which ones in my life have been most meaningful, which have left me devastated and bruised, which have pushed me further, and which are a mix of all of those things.

I am someone who loves fiercely. I invest in relationships. I care deeply. I am abundantly loyal and protective. Can you hear the Enneagram 6 just oozing out of me?

I am also deeply mistrusting. I have been hurt enough to be selective about where I invest my heart and in whom. That's not to say I don't care about everyone (love your neighbors, y'all; it's kind of the mandate), but I know who my people are: The ones who see all of me and let me see them as well. The ones who pour into me as much as I pour into them. The ones who inspire trust and vulnerability, and who feel just as safe with me as I do with them. This list is small, but it is sacred.

I don't think this is uncommon, particularly in the LGBTQIA+ community. Coming out and living authentically shifts relationship dynamics in ways we can't anticipate. And in ways we do, but hope and against hope won't happen.

Marielle Kraft has a song out called "Right People Will Love You," and there is a refrain that gets me every time.

"What if no one gets it
Asking if you’re sure
What if they say ‘I don’t know you anymore’

The right people will listen
The right people will care
They’re gonna thank you for the parts you finally shared
They won’t have conditions
Or ask you to change
They’ll put on their shoes and walk beside you the whole way
Some might take some time but they’ll show up too
The right people will love you
The right people will love you"

As we enter a season of family gatherings, Friendsgivings, and endless social time, I pray you remember that there are people who see you, who will listen, who will care, and who will love you as you fully are. And moreover, I hope you are that person for someone else.

-Jesy

Upcoming Events!

Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming MLP events!

November 3rd: Get your butts to the polls! Go Vote!!

November 9th: More Light Monday. Recovering from Spiritual Trauma.

November 12-22: Pray for the Mutual Liberation Delegation that will be traveling to the West Bank and Israel. See below for how you can support MLP folks who are going.

November 20-22: Jesy Littlejohn (they/them) will be leading a workshop at the Keep Awake Conference at Massenetta! If you're there, be sure to stop over and say hi (and get some swag)

Week of November 23rd: Check your email for the release of the MLP Advent Devotional in English and Spanish!

November 26-27: MLP staff and board will not be answering emails due to a National Day of Mourning of Colonial Roots...er...uh...Thanksgiving.

More Light Monday: Presbyterian Polyamory Stories

Join Rev. Brooke Scott, licensed social worker and therapist, as we discuss what spiritual trauma looks like, how it affects LGBTQIA+ people, and the ways in which we can care for ourselves and others as we seek to dismantle systems that perpetuate harm, including the church.

Click here to register

A Word From Our Partners

Supporting our MLP Siblings

More Light Presbyterians is grateful to be able to support and partner with SABEEL and FOSNA as we commit to learning and understanding the ways in which our siblings in Palestine continue to be impacted by ongoing violence. You can learn more about the delegation HERE.

As you are able, please contribute to the funding efforts of those participating in this delegation. The folks shown here are on the Staff or Board of MLP, or serve in an MLP congregation. If their crowdfunding page isn't listed, email hello@mlp.org for how you can support them.

Support Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin

Support Rev. Shawna Bowman

Support Rev. Ófe Abreu Rosario

(click one-time giving, select Israel/Palestine fund)

Support Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava

Support Elder Kate Davoli

Support Justin Kyremes-Parks

Support Amy Kim Kyremes Parks

Get Involved!

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.

*Is your congregation supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in your context? If you have pictures, be sure to share so we can highlight your awesome and holy work! Please email them to hello@mlp.org