On the evening of April 29, Lazarus Project Board Member, Sonnie Swentson, served as Emcee of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Lazarus Project hosted by Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, CA.  Reflecting upon the Lazarus Projects' mission and history of service,  Sonnie quoted and expanded upon Henri Nouwens' belief in the importance of the telling of our stories:

 

"We have to trust that our stories deserve to be told. We may discover that the better we tell our stories the better we will want to live them."  (Henri Nouwen). 

 

"So whether we tell our stories in written form or orally, we just need to tell them and tell them--and to know that they are valid and they are useful, and the telling of our stories is something that we are supposed to do.  This is one of the thing that Lazarus did so well over the years, and something that we need to do ourselves, and to find ways to encourage others to do as we go our separate ways." (Sonnie Swentson)

The Lazarus Project was founded by the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, West Hollywood, CA, a More Light Church, in 1977 as "a ministry of reconciliation rooted in the faith experience and spiritual journeys of individuals who seek to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual persons to love one another in the just and respectful way Christ taught us."  Chris Glaser served as its founding director from 1977 to 1987. 

 

The Lazarus Project was a pioneer in sending lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and heterosexual allies into churches to share their faith, stories and hope for the Church.  Its founding in 1977 was just 3 years after the birth of the More Light Movement in 1974. 

 

In addition to its offering of hundreds of educational panels in churches throughout southern California, the Lazarus Project gave annual "Lazarus Awards" to individuals advancing LGBT equality in church and society.  Presbyterians receiving Lazarus Awards included:  Erin Swenson, Martha Juillerat and Tammy Lindahl, Jack Rogers, Chris Glaser, Janie Spahr, Peg Beissert, Dave Meekhof and the late William P. Thomson and Howard Warren.

 

Last night the Board of Directors of The Lazarus Project celebrated the 30th Anniversary of this extraordinary mission project, gave its final Lazarus Award to Bishop John Shelby Spong, and thanked their volunteers, supporters, and friends.

 

Those of us within More Light Presbyterians are indebted to and deeply grateful for the vision, service and witness of The Lazarus Project these thirty years.  We want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who served in and through The Lazarus Project as:  executive directors, board members, volunteers, speakers, supporters and Lazarus Award recipients.

 

Two statements of appreciation follow this expression of gratitude, one from the National MLP Board and the second one from the Board of Directors of The Lazarus Project.

 

So, with the celebration and closing of The Lazarus Project, we know that many stories are yet to be shared, yet to be told.   I join Sonnie Swentson in her wish and prayer that all of us will tell our stories of faith, love and hope for our Church and world.

 

with hope and grace,

Michael

 

Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., National Field Organizer

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

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A Statement of Appreciation from The Lazarus Project Board of Directors:

The Lazarus Project wishes to express special appreciation for the moral courage and witness of the Presbytery of the Pacific in its hospitality and financial support of this inclusive ministry.  We wish to express thanks to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii and its staff for their encouragement, often in the face of criticism.

We continue to be grateful and to love the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, which gave us birth and provides us a home.  We give thanks for the other More Light Congregations of this synod, with whom we walk hand-in-hand:  The First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin Park, The United University Church and Los Ranchos Presbytery More Light Chapter.

Also, for those other congregations that have made known their welcome—with justice—to all persons, we give thanks to God.  And all those who support us with your spirit, your prayers, and your gifts, we are thankful to share this ministry with you.

Most especially, to many who have labored with us and some who have died still waiting for the church to know their names and the meaning of their lives, we re-dedicate this ministry.

For all those whom Jesus loves and has called forth from their confinement, we will obey his command to
"LOOSE THEM, AND LET THEM GO."