 Epiphany. A celebration of light and revelation. The word "epiphany" comes from the Greek work "phos" meaning light. To have an epiphany means to come to a new understanding, to experience a revelation, to have "the light come on," and to see things in a new light. It is the opportunity to see God's light in a new way.
Each time a church recognizes the need and opportunity to offer sanctuary, advocacy and witness to the fact that God's Love, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and their own faith community are to be made available to all of God's children, including God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and their families, it is an Epiphany.
On this Epiphany Sunday, the National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians joyfully announces that the Session of First Presbyterian Church, New Haven, Connecticut voted recently to affiliate, minister and witness as a More Light Presbyterian Church. Bear Ride, Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians declared: "We rejoice in the unanimous decision of the Session of First Presbyterian Church, New Haven, making history as the first church in the state of Connecticut and in the Presbytery of Southern New England to take the step of offering sanctuary, advocacy and witness as a More Light Church."
This mission decision and witness is a natural progression. First Presbyterian Church, New Haven, has a long and rich history of commitment to social justice, community mission and peacemaking. It has been intentional in embodying an inclusive Christian community life and a strong commitment to ecumenical and interfaith understanding and cooperation. Co-Pastor Bill Goettler currently leads New Haven’s Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, which serves the needy and witnesses to social justice in the city. Following the PCUSA General Assembly’s divestment decision a few years ago, First Presbyterian began a fruitful and ongoing relationship of dialogue and education with nearby Congregation Mishkan Israel.
The church has supported the interfaith Welcoming Congregations of New Haven network, which includes 16 churches in the greater New Haven area and provides an active outreach to LGBT persons and friends at pride events, interfaith worship, and educational events. Through its support of Presbyterian Promise, First Presbyterian Church, New Haven has been among six Presbyterian churches in its presbytery working for the full welcome and affirmation of LGBT Presbyterians and their families.
First Presbyterian Church, New Haven has become the worshipping home for many seminarians, including LGBT seminarians, from Yale Divinity School which is located just a few blocks away. Co-Pastors Bill Goettler and Maria LaSala have taught Presbyterian Polity at the Divinity School for several years.
During 2007, the congregation seized opportunities to consider the issues of living faithfully as a welcoming but diverse congregation in a denomination that bars ordination for LGBT persons. The congregation's life included conversations with Jack Rogers, former Moderator and author; and Michael Adee, National Field Organizer, More Light Presbyterians; plus a four week Sunday school study of Rogers' book Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality. These conversations and studies seemed only to confirm and strengthen the conviction the church first expressed in its Statement of Inclusive Welcome a few years ago:
"In the name of God our creator, we welcome you and all people. We are a community committed to follow Jesus Christ in a just and compassionate ministry open to the world and of its races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, nationalities or ethnicities, economic situations and abilities. We embody the Presbyterian Church's recognition and celebration of the diversity of God's gifts. It is in our diversity that the fullness of God is made manifest. Responding to the Spirit's movement in our midst, we embrace and honor all who have been called by Jesus Christ to the ministries of membership and ordained leadership in the Church."
“While we are not of one mind on all issues, the members of this congregation, young and elderly, of diverse backgrounds and faith journeys, wholeheartedly support being a welcoming community of Christ. This is our identity and our promise to people within New Haven, including LGBT people. Becoming more light makes our commitment even more clear,” said Rev. Maria LaSala, Co-Pastor.
To send a note of welcome, gratitude and congratulations to First Presbyterian Church, New Haven:
Reverend Maria LaSala and Reverend William Goettler
First Presbyterian Church
704 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone (203) 562-5664
FAX (203) 562-1202
firstpresbyterianchurch@gmail.com
http://www.fpcnh.org/
On this Epiphany Sunday and in the promise of a New Year, it is with great joy and deep gratitude that we welcome the First Presbyterian Church, New Haven, Connecticut as our newest More Light Church into the national network of More Light Churches and More Light Presbyterians. Together We are Building a Church for All God's children!
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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