MLP

PCUSA Young Adults: Generation Equality Scholarships Launched

The HRC Foundation launched the second year of the Generation Equality Scholarships for LGBT and allied students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the fight for LGBT equality. The three $2,000 scholarships are part of the HRC Foundation's Youth and Campus Outreach Program, which aims to provide tools, facilitate connections and empower young people to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond.

This year, we will be awarding one $2,000 scholarship in each of the following categories:

First-year students
Returning four-year school students
Returning community college students

The application deadline for academic year 2010-2011 is April 16, 2010. Scholarship recipients will be announced in mid- to late-June.

To learn more and apply for a Generation Equality Scholarship, visit www.hrc.org/geneqscholarship.

Volunteer at the 219th General Assembly (2010)

MLP needs you at the 219th General Assembly (2010)! Volunteers are critical to a successful MLP presence at the General Assembly. This page lists the volunteer opportunities and the types of tasks associated with each. For the events, volunteers need to arrive one hour before the event begins.

Register to Volunteer

MLP Legislative Strategy Team
Times vary with committee process.
Minneapolis Convention Center

Ordination Committee Liaison
Marriage Committee Liaison
Testimony to Ordination Committee
Testimony to Marriage Committee
Commissioner Briefings Liaison

Exhibit Hall
Saturday July 3 afternoon - Wednesday July 7 Noon (Shifts of 2 hours throughout the day. Instructions will be provided to volunteers.)
Minneapolis Convention Center

Greet booth visitors
Keep materials/hand-out supplies refreshed
Distribute MLP rainbow scarves
Answer basic questions about the MLP organization/mission

MLP Hospitality Suite
Saturday July 3 - Friday July 9, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. each evening
Convention Center Area Hotel to be Announced

Serve as host/hostess
Greet visitors
Offer snacks and beverages (MLP will keep suite stocked with supplies)
Make coffee
Answer basic questions re: MLP organization/mission
Tidy-up suite (i.e., making sure empty cups are thrown away, put snacks away at end of evening)

More Light Reception and Dinner
Saturday July 3, 4:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Minneapolis Hilton

Room set-up--e.g., placing printed materials, center-pieces, etc. on tables, Shower-of-Stoles display. No heavy lifting required.
Ticket takers (Tickets will be sold in advance through the Office of the General Assembly for the dinner. The reception will be free-of-charge.)

Witness Event before Opening Worship
Sunday July 4, 9:00 a.m. near Opening Worship site
Specific location to be determined

Greet worshipers with song and signs proclaiming the wildly inclusive love of Jesus Christ.

More Light Educational Luncheon
Tuesday July 6, Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Hilton

Room set-up--e.g., placing printed materials, center-pieces, etc. on tables, Shower-of-Stoles display. No heavy lifting required.
Ticket takers (Tickets will be sold in advance through the Office of the General Assembly for the luncheon.)

Worship Celebration
Tuesday, July 6, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Minneapolis Hilton

Room set-up (e.g., display stoles from Shower of Stoles, etc.)
Usher
Sing in the choir

Register to Volunteer

Scholarship and Mentorship Program Deadline Extended

The deadline for HRC's Religion and Faith Program's Scholarship and Mentorship Program for Religious and Theological Study has extended to March 31, 2010. This program consists of two parts: (1) a dissertation scholarship for students finishing their doctorate work and (2) a summer institute for students at the beginning stages of their doctoral work or finishing their M.A., M.A.H.L., M.Div, et al. with plans to continue their education in a doctoral program. Learn more, apply and help us spread the word at www.hrc.org/seminary.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation LGBT Scholarship and Mentorship program for Religious and Theological Study seeks to encourage and promote the dialogue on LGBT issues and religion in seminaries and, by extension, in our congregations and communities by investing in the next generation of LGBTQ and allied scholars.

What about sending to this GA a rainbow scarf I received in San Jose?

This is such a lovely and gracious question!!

The short answer is:

Yes, of course you can, and it will be given, as it was given to you, as a gift from someone who wants the church to embrace every believer's heart with hope you would wear it throughout the Assembly so that, whenever anyone comments on it, you would tell its story and be willing to pass it on to that person, if he or she also wanted to end discrimination against LGBT Presbyterians in the church now.

If you feel moved to send your rainbow scarf on, then please use this address:

Susan Robertson 9650 Clover Circle Eden Prairie, MN 5537

It will become part of the 1,500 scarves we hope to have in July because we trust that every commissioner and advisory delegate wants to embrace every believer's heart, including our LGBT faithful.

At the same time, it is also fine for you to keep the rainbow scarf you have. It continues as a witness, wherever you wear it and you tell its story. Perhaps you can wear it very intentionally during this GA this July wherever you are, even in the hottest spot in the church. By doing this you turn your spirit to the Twin Cities, joining it with all at the Assembly who yearn for the church to be as gracious as Christ.

Perhaps you could learn to knit, yourself. Honestly, if I could learn, you can. And every scarf is precious, as you know, whether it is the simplest knit, knit, knit or the most complex pattern. For more information, visit the story, Knitting & Praying Our Way to GA (2010).

Or you can enlist knitters or crocheters you know to knit with you and send your box to Susan with notes attached to each piece of handiwork expressing your hopeful prayer for the 219th General Assembly.

All of these possibilities witness to God's awesome love for us all!

Rev. Janet Edwards

God's New Family, Part 4

Here is God's New Family, Stories of More Light Presbyterians, Part 4. Here are the links to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Shower of Stoles...in Louisiana

The Shower of Stoles is a collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in thirty-two denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a LGBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson.

This extraordinary collection celebrates the gifts of LGBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.

Last month the stoles were on display at University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and were featured in Baton Rouge's The Advocate:

This will be the seventh year that University Presbyterian has brought the display here, said the Rev. Patti Snyder, senior pastor.

"We've had a lot of support for doing this," Snyder said of her congregation.

"It's an important reminder, not just for the Presbyterian Church but for the broader church" of those who feel a call by God to serve but are not allowed to do so, she said.

"This particular congregation is very welcoming and open," Snyder said.

The church's Web site, at http://www.upcbr.org/, welcomes people "of every generation, of varied religious and cultural backgrounds, of varied theological and political views, and of different races and sexual orientations."

While the Presbyterian denomination is welcoming in general regarding its congregations, such issues regarding its pastors are more complicated, Snyder said.

The denomination regulations regarding ordination have have been interpreted in various ways, she said.

"We have a longtime struggle over the ordination of people who are openly gay or lesbian," Snyder said.

The Presbyterians are not alone. Among the other major Christian denominations represented are the United Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention and the Episcopal Church.

To read the full article, visit The Advocate.

God's New Family, Part 3

Here is God's New Family! Part 3. Let's listen to some of your fellow Presbyterians sharing their own faith stories and what More Light means to them. Here are the links to Part 1 and Part 2.

Celebrating 7 New More Light Presbyterian Churches!

History has been made in Louisiana! In addition to the historic Super Bowl win by the New Orleans Saints which has brought a major boost of morale to the City of New Orleans in its rebuilding since Katrina, we are pleased to announce and celebrate the first welcoming and affirming More Light Presbyterian Church in the State of Louisiana: First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans.

Indiana is not to be outdone by Louisiana, however, in terms of making history, as Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis is the first Presbyterian congregation to affiliate, minister and witness as a welcoming and affirming More Light Presbyterian Church in the State of Indiana. We do congratulate the Indianapolis Colts' fans, of course, for a fine run to the Super Bowl as well. MLP is not partisan when it comes to football or any sports for that matter. However, we are partisan when it comes to working for spiritual, ordination and marriage equality in both our Church and in civil society.

We are pleased to announce and celebrate seven Presbyterian churches in seven different states as they faithfully seek to offer genuine welcome and affirmation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families as they affiliate, minister and witness as More Light Churches in addition to other community mission and social justice commitments.

God's New Family! Part 2

Here is God's New Family! Part 2. The More Light Presbyterians movement is born. You can watch Part 1 here.

Congratulations to Dr. Donna Riley the GLBTA Educator of the Year

The National Board of Directors & Staff of More Light Presbyterians wish to congratulate Dr. Donna Riley, longtime MLP supporter and one of our distinguished former Co-Moderators, for being selected to receive the GLBTA Educator of the Year Award from the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals. Donna serves as an Associate Professor of Engineering at Smith College, Northampton, Mass. Congratulations Donna!

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals
2010 Recognition Awards

The NOGLSTP Recognition Awards were established as a means of identifying, honoring, and documenting the contributions of outstanding GLBT science, engineering and technology professionals, as well as corporations, academic institutions, and businesses that support GLBT professionals in the fields of science and technology.