On the issue of lgbt ordination --
and the need for some demythologizing

We have recently posted two essays by the Rev. Ray Bagnuolo:

 "Each person --- regardless of gender, sexual orientation or bodily condition -- has a moral right to love and be loved." This excerpt is from "More Light on Marriage," teaching resource on marriage equality included as a file with this email from the MLP web site: www.mlp.org

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has two upcoming opportunities to recognize and affirm that moral right to love and be loved. First, this next week in the decision its highest judicial court, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, will render in the case against the Rev. Janie Spahr for officiating at weddings of same-sex couples; and this June in San Jose with consideration of the Baltimore Overture to the 218th General Assembly on marriage equality.

Last night, Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville, a More Light Presbyterian Church, held a worship service celebrating the covenant of justice and love in support and solidarity for LGBT Presbyterians and their families who find themselves caught in a polity battle within their own beloved denomination over an archaic definition of marriage between a man and woman, as if same-sex love did not exist; or if gender was so simply understood or experienced in the lives of real persons and families.

From Louisville today, Rev. Ray Bagnuolo, who serves the Palisades Presbyterian Church, Palisades, NY, a More Light Church, reported on this morning's silent vigil at the National PCUSA Center and the GAPJC hearing: "This morning, the appellants and prosecution presented their arguments before the GAPJC in Louisville. Prior to the hearing we worshipped together, in a group of about 100, which included many from the GAPJC, and employees of the Presbyterian Center in Louisville."

A worship service celebrating the lives, faith and relationships of all God's people, including God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and their families will be held tonight at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, OH, a More Light Church. A reception hosted by the congregation will follow to thank Rev. Janie Spahr and her legal team for their faithful witness.

As More Light Presbyterians, we stand with all Presbyterians who experience the gifts and joys of love, intimacy, relationships and family. We believe and we know that the most important thing is the quality of the relationship, not the gender of someone's spouse, beloved or partner. Body and soul are one, they cannot be separated; and when the Church attempts to do so, or legislate that separation, great harm is done.

God's gifts of love are not limited by gender any more than they would be limited as we have thought in the past by race or ethnic background or other human conditions. It is time for the Church to do right by its LGBT daughters and sons, sisters and brothers and support love and marriage equality. It is time for the Church to do right by the God who creates all of God's children, LGBT or straight, and Who gives these gifts of love and family.

We stand today with our sister Rev. Janie Spahr and all persons, couples and families who are given God's gifts of love. We give thanks for the More Light Churches, More Light Chapters and groups in Kentucky and Ohio who are providing hospitality, sanctuary, ministry and witness during this GAPJC trial and decision. 

We are praying for discernment, moral clarity and spiritual courage for the GAPJC to honor the creation and gifts of our God.

with prayers for our Church today and in the days to come,

Michael

Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer

More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 USA (505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com , www.mlp.org

More Light Presbyterians was founded in 1974. More Light Presbyterians is a National LGBT Affirmation & Equality Network of individual members, families, churches and local chapters working for spiritual, ordination and marriage equality in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

GA 2008 registration, LGBT-Affirming Overtures & Events, Call for volunteers!

{Posted 3-19-08]

"Do justice Love kindness, Walk humbly with your God" is the theme with Micah 6:8 as the Biblical text for the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), June 21 - 28, San Jose.

More Light Presbyterians look forward to being in San Jose this June working wholeheartedly for spiritual, ordination and marriage equality at our Church's 218th General Assembly. Our GA mission, motto and manta is "It's About Time!" for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to welcome and affirm its own LGBT daughters and sons, sisters and brothers and their families.

This biennial assembly and gathering of our Church to do its work, to seek God's call for what the Presbyterian Church (USA) is to become and what difference we are to make in our nation and world is of great importance to More Light Presbyterians.

Calls for change and echoes of hope abound in the political life of our country and such is the same in our Church. Important GA matters in San Jose include: a proposal for a new form of government; the Stated Clerk's election; the call of a new PCUSA Moderator; and the LGBT-Affirming Overtures calling for an end to discrimination against LGBT persons and their families, marriage equality and correction of the Heidelberg Catechism.

LGBT-Affirming Overtures are available on our website, the GA 2008 Landing Page: http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=GA2008 

Peacemaking, Iraq war, energy policy, immigration, homelessness and affordable housing, affirming reproductive rights for women, voting rights and electoral reform, Katrina-relief, and serious mental illness are also important matters coming before our Church in San Jose. 

If you are coming to General Assembly as a commissioner, youth advisory delegate, theological advisory delegate, or observer, More Light Presbyterians looks forward to welcoming you to San Jose. You are invited to join us for two ticketed events: the National MLP Celebration Reception & Dinner, June 21 and the National MLP Educational Luncheon, June 24. Details for these 3 events are below. We encourage you to buy your tickets now to ensure your place at the table! 

Other opportunities for worship, inspiration and community include: Sunday afternoon's worship service and celebration on June 22; evening vespers, movies and kicking back in the MLP hospitality suite in the Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center; and the MLP Educational Booth in the GA Exhibit Hall. A complete listing of LGBT-Affirming events and opportunities will be available at the MLP Booth, MLP hospitality suite and at each MLP program. 

Our MLP GA Team is forming now and we invite you to join us. Volunteers are needed for the: MLP Booth in the Exhibit Hall; Shower of Stole Displays; testimony and speaking before GA Committees; hospitality suite; press coverage and witness events. Other MLP GA Team roles include: speaking with your GA commissioners before they leave, and praying for the General Assembly now and during the week of the assembly. Check our website for GA news, volunteer requests, etc. www.mlp.org .

For more information about the 218th General Assembly, online registration and to purchase your tickets for MLP events -- http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/registration.htm

Please forward this GA & MLP information sheet to the commissioners, YADs and TSADs from your presbytery, church or seminary community. Thank you.

See you in San Jose!

Michael

Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer
More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 (505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com ,  http://www.mlp.org/
 

For more GA 2008 information -- http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/registration.htm

For more LGBT-Affirming information -- www.mlp.org

MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS EVENTS

218^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2008)
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, USA

[posted 3-29-08, from Vikki Dearing]

Saturday, June 21

4 - 6:45 p.m.
More Light Presbyterians Reception and Dinner
Ticket - $55.00
It’s About Time: A Church for All God’s People!  Start your Assembly in good company and with hope.  All are invited to the National Welcoming & Affirming Presbyterians’ Celebration reception and dinner, hosted by More Light Presbyterians, a national LGBT Equality Network of individual members, families, churches and local chapters working for spiritual, ordination and marriage equality in the PC(USA). A festive celebration of faith, hope and love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and God-given differences. Speaker: Randall Miller, program officer, Equality & Justice, at the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Foundation.  The program includes national awards, legislative priorities at this GA, a Shower of Stoles Project display and Voices of Hope.
4 p.m. - Reception with cash bar  
5 p.m. – Dinner (ticket required)
Location:  Marriott Hotel

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1.  We want to share our concerns and views with commissioners and others attending the Assembly, and with anyone else who is watching from afar.  While some of our groups focus on one area of concern and others are more general in their focus, we are all committed to the wholeness of our world, which we understand to involve justice and peace and the well-being of all people; and we are committed to the wholeness and health of our Church and its witness and service in the world.

2.  We want to get to know you better and serve your concerns and needs in any way we can.  So we will invite you to share your views with us and with one another with any email responses or questions.  We'll invite your responses with links here and there, and we'll try to post those that seem to contribute to our conversations.  Just send a note now, and tell us how we can be helpful!