[MLPnews] MLP News July 19, 2004

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      MLP News


      ....working for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith
      in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
     Volume 1
      Issue 8
      July 19, 2004










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In This Issue

  MLP Sets Legislative Goal for 2006
  MLP Applauds Senate Vote Against Anti-gay Constitutional Amendment
  More Light at Pride Festivals: Report from Louisville
  Save the Date and Come Out for More Light!

MLP Sets Legislative Goal for 2006

The Board of More Light Presbyterians, at its July Conference Call,
unanimously approved as a major legislative goal for the 217th General
Assembly in 2006 the deletion of G-6.0106(b) and the removal of all
Authoritative Interpretations that act as barriers to LGBT ordination. We
are confident that presbyteries will be submitting overtures, as they have
in the past, to change the denomination's policy. Based on advice given by
the Advisory Committee on the Constitution to previous General Assemblies,
MLP believes the following language (sent by presbyteries to the last three
General Assemblies) would accomplish our goal of removing all discriminatory
barriers to LGBT ordination:

1. Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the
presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

Shall G-6.0106b be stricken.

2. Approve the following authoritative interpretation:

"Interpretive statements concerning ordained service by homosexual persons
by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States, and all subsequent denominational
affirmations thereof, shall be given no further force or effect; and Section
G-6.0106a of the Form of Government, together with the other prerequisites
for ordination expressly stated in our Book of Order, hereby are affirmed as
the sole and exclusive standards for ordination by ordaining bodies acting
in prayerful discernment of the leading of Almighty God."


MLP Applauds Senate Vote Against Anti-gay Constitutional Amendment

July 15, 2004 MLP Media Release

Santa Fe, NM: The leadership of More Light Presbyterians applauds the action
this week of the United States Senate in voting down an attempt to write
discrimination against same-gender couples into the U.S. Constitution
through the Federal Marriage Amendment.

More Light Presbyterians, a national network of welcoming and affirming
Presbyterian Churches, local chapters and individual members, has joined
other religious organizations, civil rights and government leaders across
the political spectrum in opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment as an
unprecedented discriminatory action with sweeping consequences. The Board of
Directors of More Light Presbyterians adopted a statement last month
supporting marriage equality and same-gender marriage for its General
Assembly meeting in Richmond, VA which said:

"More Light Presbyterians urges the 216th General Assembly, presbyteries and
sessions to engage in active civil rights advocacy to help build a just
understanding of both civil and Christian marriage, to the end that God's
gift of loving mutuality as well as the legal rights and responsiblities
therein implied, are available to all God's children. We promote an ethic
that affirms the goodness of sexuality, honors sexual diversity and respects
sexual minorities. Loving, intimate, faithful relationships between persons
of the same gender are authentic expressions of God's love. In a culture
where prejudice, fear and hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people abound, we affirm that the church is called to be an agent of love,
wisdom and reconciliation."

Donna Riley, Co-Moderator, Northhampton, MA said, "The Presbyterian Church
(USA) and its predecessor denominations have a long standing tradition of
calling for the just treatment in society in regard to civil liberties,
equal rights and protection under the law." The Rev. Erin Swenson,
Co-Moderator, Atlanta, GA said: "The U.S. Senate accomplished justice this
week. Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and privileges of marriage as
do opposite-sex couples. It is the quality of the relationship and the love
between persons that matters."

Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer, and an openly gay Elder, First
Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, NM, said: "I am grateful for the Senate's
opposition to this amendment which would have resulted in further
discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and
our families. Clearly, more and more people are recognizing the love and
value of same-sex couples and families in their churches and communities."

More Light at Pride Festivals

June is gay pride parade and festival month in many cities around the
country, and we've heard news of quite a few MLP churches and supporters who
brought a More Light presence to their city's local pride events. More Light
@ Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary entered a float into the
Kentuckiana (Louisville, KY metro) Pride Festival. They rode in a pickup
truck with More Light @ LPTS decorations and had a banner for the post
parade festivities.

      "It was a great time and we made some mental notes on how to make it
better for next year. We had several LPTS alums come up to us and thank us
for our presence. We had even more people identify with More Light who
thanked us for our activities. It was a wonderful event...we had a blast." -
ML at LPTS



Save the Date and Come Out for More Light

SAVE THE DATE! Hold a house party for MLP during "Coming Out for More Light"
weekend, October 8-10, 2004.

This October is your chance to throw a party, join LGBT allies and MLP
leaders on a nationwide conference call, AND help More Light Presbyterians
all at the same time. In solidarity with National Coming Out Day on October
11, the weekend of Oct. 8-10 is your chance to join with other More Light
supporters for a special weekend of advocacy, empowerment, and
resource-building to advance the full embrace of persons of all sexual
orientations and gender identities in the life of the PCUSA. All you'll need
is yourself, your friends, and your telephone to join the fun.

Your More Light church or welcoming church, MLP chapter, or local group of
MLP members and supporters can participate in this national weekend of
fundraising celebrations and house parties across the country to build the
More Light movement in our Church. If you've been looking for an opportunity
to support LGBT equality in the Presbyterian Church, October 8-10 is your
weekend to "come out for more light!"

Mark the weekend on your calendar, reserve Saturday evening or Sunday
afternoon for a house party, and watch this space for more information
coming soon. We'll post details by the end of July to www.mlp.org/comeout,
and you can also email comeout at mlp.org with questions.

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