[MLPnews] MLPnews April 9, 2005

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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 2
Issue 3
Apr. 9, 2005



 

 

 

Special double-size issue:

    More Light Sunday news:
        A Call to Participate - host a More Light Sunday event on June 5
        More Light Sunday Arrives Early at St. Luke's
        More Light Worship Bulletin Inserts are Coming
        Special Stoles Displays Available for More Light Sunday
       
    Another Lesbian Minister Ordained in PCUSA
    First More Light Presbyterian Church in South Carolina
    New Pacific Presbytery MLP Chapter Founded
    Church of the Pilgrims Shows Banned PBS Show "Postcards from Buster"
    - Washington Post Covers Story
    Morelight Mailing Mania Brings out Supporters at First Palo Alto
    More Light Presbyterians Statement on Theological Task Force Resources
    In Memory of Tom Henderson
    "Life Beyond the Comma" - Keynote Address by Erin Swenson at Lazarus
    Banquet
    Supporting Youth of All Sexual Orientations & Gender Identities

    Resources:
        New resource: The MLP 2006 General Assembly Overture FAQ
        MLP featured resource: "What We Wish We Had Known", aka The Blue
    Book

    Conferences and events:
        More Light organizing event in Phoenix, April 19
        2nd Annual "Together in Faith" Conference, Aug. 5-7, Ypsilanti
    Michigan
        Southwest Regional More Light Conference: Nov. 4-6, Santa Fe New
    Mexico


MORE LIGHT SUNDAY NEWS


A Call to Participate - host a More Light Sunday event on June 5

 

More Light Sunday <http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday>, our annual day 
of action to support LGBT equality, is coming up fast on June 5, and 
we're pulling out all the stops to make it easy for you to organize an 
event at your church <http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html>.  
The brand new MLP worship bulletin inserts 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050329142803810> are going to 
press, and they look great.  We've produced a new special release DVD 
and study guide, featuring an interview with out lesbian seminary 
student Heather Reichgott, that you can use for an open house event on 
More Light Sunday.  And we're working with More Light supporters just 
like you all over the country to send invitation letters to Presbyterian 
leaders to invite them in for an Open House, Open Dialogue.  Sign up now 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html> (at 
www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html>) and join one of the 
largest coordinated grass roots events for equality in the Presbyterian 
Church.


Whether you choose to add MLP worship bulletin inserts to your Sunday 
bulletin, show our new special release video, invite leaders in your 
presbytery to attend, or all of the above, More Light Presbyterians 
stands ready to offer you the resources and support that you need to 
make it happen.  Sign up 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html> to organize a local 
"Open House, Open Dialogue" event, and tell your Presbyterian friends, 
since all churches are welcome to participate in More Light Sunday.



More Light Sunday Arrives Early at St. Luke's

Many thanks to our friends at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church in Rolling 
Hills Estates, California for modelling the fact that you don't have to 
be a More Light Church to support MLP's More Light Sunday efforts 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html>, nor do you need to 
hold the event on the official More Light Sunday date of June 5. St. 
Luke's has invited MLP board member and out lesbian seminary student 
Heather Reichgott to speak on Sunday, and will use a pre-release version 
of our upcoming More Light Sunday special release DVD as part of their 
program.

Here's the announcement that St. Luke's sent out to its community:*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050408103443548>** *



More Light Worship Bulletin Inserts are Coming


We recently got a first look at the design for our new MLP worship 
bulletin inserts 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/bulletin_insert.pdf>, designed for 
use with More Light Sunday events 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html> or on any Sunday that 
your church would like to encourage people to support MLP's mission of 
equality. We've made a draft copy available here on the web site 
<http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/bulletin_insert.pdf> so that 
everyone can take a look at our new "More Light baby" and her 
rainbow-colored blocks. The bulletin insert will be available in April 
for use with More Light Sunday events and worship services on June 6. 
You can get copies free of charge by signing up to organize a More Light 
Sunday event <http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday/action.html> at your 
church.



Special Stoles Displays Available for More Light Sunday
**
Our friends at the Shower of Stoles Project 
<http://www.showerofstoles.org> would like to help you invite some 
important friends to be a part of your congregation's Open House, Open 
Dialogue <http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=openhouse> event 
on More Light Sunday <http://www.mlp.org/morelightsunday>, June 5. The 
Project invites congregations to have one or two dozen stoles from the 
Shower of Stoles collection on display that weekend. Each stole contains 
the story of a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person who has been 
active in the life and leadership of the church; together they provide a 
powerful witness to the hundreds of faithful LGBT folk whose gifts for 
service have been denied by the Presbyterian Church.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050321174859213> *

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another Lesbian Minister Ordained in PCUSA

MLP media release, February 23, 2005 - More Light Presbyterians 
congratulates board member Eily Marlow on being approved for ordination 
as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA). Eily is one of only 
a few openly lesbian candidates to be approved for ordination since the 
1978 ban on the ordination of so-called "practicing, self-affirming 
homosexuals."   Milwaukee Presbytery, one of the 173 local governing 
bodies with jurisdiction for ordination of ministers in the 2.3-million- 
member denomination, voted 104-20 on February 22 to approve the 
ordination of Eily Marlow, M.Div., a life-long Presbyterian and graduate 
of McCormick Theological Seminary.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050225123918121>


*First More Light Presbyterian Church in South Carolina

In early March the Session of the *North Anderson Community Church, 
Presbyterian <http://www.northanderson.presbychurch.net>, of Anderson, 
S.C.* voted unanimously to become affiliated and identified as a More 
Light Presbyterian Church. NACCP is making history as the first More 
Light Church in South Carolina!
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050311090320528> *


New Pacific Presbytery MLP Chapter Founded

Good News! On Sunday afternoon, February 27, 37 people gathered at the 
home of Bear Ride and Susan Craig in Pasadena, California for the 
founding of the new Pacific Presbytery MLP Chapter. Lay leaders, church 
staff, and clergy from six Presbyterian churches in the region came 
together to support the full embrace of lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender persons,their relationships, families, calls to ministry, 
and the commitment to a genuinely welcoming and affirming Church for all 
God's children.  Michael Adee, National Field Organizer, and Bear Ride, 
MLP Board member, led the process of the founding of this new MLP 
Chapter. Shouts of joy and applause arose after Michael announced the 
official founding of this new chapter. *
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050228104252780> *


Church of the Pilgrims Shows Banned PBS Show "Postcards from Buster" - 
Washington Post Covers Story

Church of the Pilgrims <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/>, a More 
Light Church in Washington D.C., has received extended positive coverage 
in the March 6 Washington Post for showing the "Sugartime" episode of 
WGBH Boston's children's program, "Postcards from Buster".  Extracts 
appear below.

What Has Floppy Ears And a Subversive Tale?
By David Montgomery, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, March 6, 
2005; Page D01

Like forbidden dissenters in some intolerant land, a couple hundred 
families took refuge in a church basement in Washington yesterday for a 
morning of dangerous television. So controversial were the images that 
the Bush administration wants its underwriting money back. So subversive 
was its plot that the local public television station refused to air it.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050306141225409> *


Morelight Mailing Mania Brings out Supporters at First Palo Alto

More Light supporters and friends at First Presbyterian Church of Palo 
Alto <http://www.fprespa.org> participated in a Massive Morelight 
Mailing Mania event after Sunday worship today by stuffing, sealing, and 
stamping 2500 envelopes for two special-appeal MLP mailings coordinated 
by the national More Light board. The event was organized by the More 
Light team at First Palo Alto and brought in over 30 volunteers who were 
well-fed with sandwiches, cookies, and brownies for their efforts.  
<http://www.mlp.org/images/userphotos/mlp-mailing-1ppa-march2005-cropped.jpg> 
(View a photo of the event here.) 
<http://www.mlp.org/images/userphotos/mlp-mailing-1ppa-march2005-cropped.jpg>  
Many thanks to all of our supporters at First Palo Alto 
<http://www.fprespa.org> for their efforts in support of More Light 
Presbyterians and equality within the PCUSA.


More Light Presbyterians Statement on Theological Task Force Resources

A statement from the board of More Light Presbyterians on the problem of 
prejudice in considering the resources and suggestions from the 
Theological Task Force. 

March 21, 2005: In 2001, the 213th General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church (U.S.A.) established the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity 
and Purity of the Church, charging it to lead the denomination in 
discernment on issues of Christology, Biblical authority and 
interpretation, power, and ordination standards. To date the Task Force 
has released a variety of print and video resources in support of its 
efforts.

... The board of More Light Presbyterians strongly cautions the Church 
to avoid the temptation to limit the discernment process to the 
intellectual venture of study, while ignoring the witness, service and 
life stories of many faithful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 
Presbyterians within our own congregations and families. *Efforts to 
seek the peace, unity and purity of the Church that do not address this 
basic problem of anti-LGBT prejudice cannot lead to an inclusive church, 
for such efforts ignore both the Gospel mandate of equality and 
fundamental Presbyterian constitutional principles.
Read the full statement... 
<http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050321131714929>*


In Memory of Tom Henderson

/(Tom Henderson, husband of past MLP co-moderator Mitzi Henderson, 
passed on Feb. 14, 2005)/

Dear Mitzi and the Henderson Family - Alec Henderson, Jamie Henderson, 
Elizabeth Esty and Celia Jaffe, your spouses and children, with Loralie 
Junda and Judy Hemmer; and your First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto 
Family:

Your beloved Tom made a profound and positive difference in every 
conversation, gathering and organization in which he found himself, 
joined, supported, inspired or led. Words are quite inadequate to 
accurately or fully describe Tom. One needed to have been in his 
presence, in his company, to experience his warm smile, hearty laugh, 
quick wit, strong handshake, loving embrace, delightful sense of humor, 
generous spirit, faithful work ethic, and his many talents, gifts and 
graces to fully appreciate him.*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050216084226601> *


"Life Beyond the Comma" - Keynote Address by Erin Swenson at Lazarus Banquet

It was one of those phone calls you put off as long as possible, yet 
there I was in the basement apartment in our home actually pressing the 
buttons on the phone. Everything inside me did not want to do it, and 
still my fingers pressed until the ringing sound emanated from the 
earpiece. A moment later and I was talking with the chair of our 
Presbytery's Committee on Ministry.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Lloyd. This is Eric Swenson. You probably don't know me, but I am a 
minister member of the Presbytery, a pastoral counselor. I'm calling to 
inquire how one goes about changing their name on the roll of Presbytery."
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050304100322703>*


Supporting Youth of All Sexual Orientations & Gender Identities - 
GLSEN's Day of Silence and more

Does your church, and particularly your youth group or campus ministry, 
welcome and include all youth and young adults? Would your youth group, 
campus ministry or church be a safe place for a young person to embrace 
her or his sexual orientation and gender identity? Are your Christian 
Educators, youth workers, Sunday School teachers and campus ministers 
equipped in working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and 
questioning youth and young adults?
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050404111635853>*

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES

    New resource: The MLP 2006 General Assembly Overture FAQ

You needed it, you asked for it, you got it. We're proud to introduce 
the new More Light Presbyterians 2006 General Assembly Overture FAQ 
<http://www.mlp.org/resources/overturefaq.html> (frequently asked 
questions) document, which includes an extended set of questions, with 
answers, about how to get your presbytery to send a pro-LGBT "delete-B" 
overture to the 2006 Presbyterian General Assembly. The FAQ includes 
recommended overture language. Here are some sample questions. For the 
answers, you'll need to read the FAQ 
<http://www.mlp.org/resources/overturefaq.html>.

Q: What is the overture language that More Light Presbyterians (MLP) 
recommends for overtures that seek to remove anti-LGBT discrimination 
from the Presbyterian Book of Order and other Presbyterian policies?
*Read more...* <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050406144504610>


    MLP featured resource: "What We Wish We Had Known", aka The Blue Book

Now in its fifth edition, The Blue Book 
<http://www.mkpc.org/Blue_Book_V5.pdf> from the Presbyterian Church of 
Mount Kisco <http://www.mkpc.org/> (NY) is one of our most popular print 
resources at conferences and General Assembly. Written in a 
question-and-answer style with 56 questions (with answers) about LGBT 
people, families, issues, and theological and Biblical perspectives, the 
Blue Book <http://www.mkpc.org/Blue_Book_V5.pdf> is a great place to 
start for people seeking to understand sexual orientation and LGBT 
concerns. This most recent edition was updated in spring 2004, and 
includes information on issues such as the 2003 Lawrence vs. Texas case 
and civil marriage rights. The online Blue Book 
<http://www.mkpc.org/Blue_Book_V5.pdf> is in PDF format - you'll need 
Adobe's free Acrobat Reader 
<http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html> to view it.


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CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

    More Light organizing event in Phoenix, April 19

You are invited to join us for a special community building, organizing 
dinner and program gathering in Phoenix on April 19, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 
at La Madeline Restaurant. Dinner and hospitality around the table will 
be from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM with the program to follow being offered by 
Michael Adee, National Field Organizer, MLP.
*Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=20050406104352214>

*
    2nd Annual "Together in Faith" Conference, Aug. 5-7, Ypsilanti Michigan

A National Multiracial, Multigenerational Conference for People of all 
Religions and Spiritualities Creating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & 
Transgender-Affirming Communities
August 5-7, 2005, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 
www.togetherinfaith.com <http://www.togetherinfaith.com>

Together in Faith brings together LGBT and ally people of all ages, 
races, religions and spiritualities from around the country for 
skill-enhancing workshops led by nationally renowned activists and 
community-building activities with like-minded progressive people of 
faith. Attendees will leave with new information and tools to help them 
create LGBT-affirming cities and faith communities. Together in Faith 
2005 will be held on August 5-7, 2005, in Ypsilanti, MI. *
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2005040411091041>*


    Southwest Regional More Light Conference: Nov. 4-6, Santa Fe New Mexico

For More Light supporters within driving distance of Santa Fe, or for 
those who've always wanted to visit: save the date, you're invited, and 
plan to join us for the Southwest Regional More Light Presbyterians' 
Conference & Retreat to be held the weekend of November 4 - 6, 2005, at 
Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Santa Fe, NM.

"Realizing the Dream - Sojourning Together" is the conference theme, 
worship, Bible Study, educational workshops, grassroots activist 
training, and recreation/play will be inspired by this theme which is 
part of the National MLP "Vigil for Justice" to Birmingham in 2006.*
Read more... <http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=2005030713471826>
*

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*
*Support More Light Presbyterians*
*

Why is there so much More Light news?  Because MLP supporters like you 
all over the country are active in giving their time and their financial 
contributions to More Light Presbyterians <http://www.mlp.org>, helping 
us to bring about the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith in the 
life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  You can 
join More Light Presbyterians right now <http://www.mlp.org/join.html> 
by making an online contribution.  Contributors receive our quarterly 
printed publication, the More Light Update, as well as a 2005 membership 
card.  Individual membership is only $50 a year.  Sign up online 
<http://www.mlp.org/join.html> today, and join the movement to shine the 
light for equality throughout the PCUSA!


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