As our "Answering God's Call to Serve!" YES on Amendment 08-B draws to a close on May 30, now more than ever it is important for us, for our Church, to recognize and celebrate the presence and gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in our local congregations.  We believe in a Gospel and a Church for all God's children. 

While we do recognize and give thanks for the extraordinary, history-making progress made during the Amendment 08-B Campaign, we also reckon with the reality that its ratification was narrowly defeated.  This is a time of mixed emotions, celebration and lamentation.  

So, we celebrate that a record number of 77 presbyteries so far have affirmed fair and equal ordination standards; and we lament that 92 have held to the status quo of discrimination against faithful LGBT Presbyterians simply seeking to answer God's call to serve.  So, it is time for us to gather in community in every possible congregation, MLP Chapter, campus or seminary group for a time of reflection, prayer, healing and solidarity.

More Light Sunday 2009 is that perfect opportunity to be together in community. 2009 is the sixth year of the annual tradition of celebrating the presence, faith and gifts that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their parents and families bring to the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

More Light Sunday is June 7, 2009 and if you choose that day you will be joining other churches, campus ministries and MLP Chapters around the country in worship, celebration, solidarity and witness.  We also recognize that this particular Sunday might not work for you, so it is absolutely fine to hold "More Light Sunday" on another day.

We are grateful for the "Ten Affirmations for GLBT Spirituality" from Pittsburgh, PA and offer them for your use on More Light Sunday.  With our own Church and other faith traditions' concerns about "unity," we are particularly inspired by the first affirmation: "We celebrate the unity we create in our diversity."  We are inspired by Jesus' prayer for his disciples "that they be one" in the Gospel of John 17: 20 - 21.  This is one liturgical resource for you to use.  For your copy, go to http://www.mlp.org/fmd/files/10affirm.pdf

Worship and other liturgical resources that have been helpful to local congregations and campus ministries in recent years can be found at:  www.mlp.org/morelightsunday

Additional LGBT-Affirming worship resources can be found at online at IWR, The Institute for Welcoming Resources:  http://www.welcomingresources.org/worship.xml

John Thompson, Elder, Church of the Reconciliation, Chapel Hill, NC, a More Light Church, and new National MLP Board member offered these 2 Biblical texts for consideration at this moment in the life of our Church and the 08-B Campaign:  Luke 18:1  "He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart."  Galatians 6:9 "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap in harvest time, if we do not give up."

So, let all of us find ways to be together in community for celebration and lamentation.  If you have any questions about More Light Sunday 2009, please do not hesitate contacting me at michaeladee@aol.com or (505) 820-7082.

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Ref: http://www.mlp.org/article.php/20090516125353568