More Light Presbyterians

On the Road with Michael Adee
Michael Adee is our More Light Presbyterians field organizer. He regularly reports back with stories and reflections from the road. Read some of his columns here.

Greetings from Creating Change

Thursday, February 04 2010 @ 09:03 AM

Hello from Dallas, Texas, the buckle of the Bible belt. I am here meeting with local Presbyterian pastors and with Betsy Winters. Grace Presbytery was one of the 34 presbyteries with a transformative vote for Amendment 08-B on Ordination last year. I am also joining over 2,000 activists for Creating Change, the National Conference on LGBT Equality. Creating Change is produced by NGLTF, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Sue Hyde, Creating Change director, said, "Let's organize, agitate, skill build, network, learn and teach to create a transformed society that embraces full self-determination and justice. There is no time to wait or waste. Come to the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change and work to achieve this vision in communities all over the country."

I will participate in the American Prayer Hour service here on February 4. The American Prayer Hour is a multi-city alternative to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC whose leaders have ties to the anti-gay bill in Uganda. I am representing More Light Presbyterians at IWR, the Institute for Welcoming Resources, events and also NRLR, the National Religious Leadership Roundtable. It is exciting and heartening to me to see progressive and pro-LGBT faith voices front and center here in Dallas and around the country.

Michael J. Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer

Reporting from New Orleans: RainbowCorps 2009

Saturday, November 21 2009 @ 07:53 AM by Michael Adee

New Orleans, LA. Hello from the Crescent City of New Orleans and the fourth annual RainbowCorps mission service trip sponsored by More Light Presbyterians. Created in 2006, RainbowCorps is the mission service initiative of More Light Presbyterians for LGBT persons and their friends serving together to share God's love and care with others by relieving human suffering.

The first two years we worked with the community mission outreach program of First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans rebuilding houses damaged by hurricane Katrina. 80% of the city was affected by the flooding. First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans was one of the first churches in the city to respond by hosting teams and coordinating home rebuilding work. First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans is the first welcoming and affirming More Light Presbyterian Church in the state of Louisiana with Rev. Jayne Ruiz serving as pastor.

A Report from the National Equality March, Washington DC

Monday, October 12 2009 @ 08:54 AM

Presbyterian Equality Project A Report from the National Equality March, Obama's speech & more! Washington, DC: Today thousands of people marched on Washington for LGBT equality. More Light Presbyterians supported this historic moment of national grassroots organizing by: serving as one of the national pro-LGBT faith organizations to support the March by officially endorsing it; by having a group of More Light Presbyterians march; and through the witness of Rev. Ruth Hamilton, co-pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., a welcoming and affirming More Light church, and Michael J. Adee, standing with two dozen faith leaders on the stage in front of the Capitol with Rev. Troy Perry as he offered the invocation at the rally.

National Equality March - Oct. 10-11, 2009

Today was an extraordinary experience to be part of this national call for justice and equality for LGBT people and our families along with thousands of rainbow-flag waving hope-filled Americans. It was a sacred privilege to represent More Light Presbyterians at the March, the HIV/AIDS Rally and Vigil, and the national interfaith worship service. I carried all of you in my heart today as I marched, sang, and prayed." said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer.

MLP was one of the national sponsors of the National HIV/AIDS Rally and Vigil on Saturday evening at the Ellipse, in front of the Washington Monument. George Kerr, Westminster Presbyterian Church, served on the planning committee. The Open Doors MLP Chapter and Westminster Presbyterian Church were national sponsors of the rally and vigil, too. With the rising HIV infection rates for young gay and bisexual men, and the continued high rates of infection for African-American and Latino persons, all of us were called into compassion and action.

On Saturday night, President Barack Obama spoke at the National HRC Dinner. President Obama told LGBT Americans that his commitment to end discrimination in the military, in the workplace and for loving couples and their families is "unwavering."

Seasons for Change

Monday, December 24 2007 @ 03:03 PM

After growing up in southern Louisiana and grateful for its towering pine trees, I also revel in the changes of the seasons and the autumn colors. The changing of the seasons mark the passages of time and remind me of how grateful I am to serve with you as your National Field Organizer. MLP's vision in 1999 to hire and support a traveling educator, activist and grassroots organizer has translated into a kind of circuit-riding gay preacher/teacher going from church to church, place to place. Instead of by horse, I am grateful for planes, trains and rental cars.

Three field outreach trips this Fall Season hold special significance for each congregation, presbytery and the LGBT Equality Movement in our Church and country. Here is a glimpse into these remarkable trips and experiences.

Palm Leaves and the God Who Understands

Monday, April 02 2007 @ 09:06 AM

A Holy Week reflection by MLP field organizer Michael Adee

Growing up in southern Louisiana, palm branches were easy picking. Palmetto grew wild all over the piney woods near our home. As a young boy having been loved into faith within a small Presbyterian church and by my parents, the ritual of waving these palm leaves was a mystery to me. Palm leaves seemed out of place at church, and yet, so at home in the woods.

Palm Sunday, a triumphal reception fit for a king and entry into Jerusalem. It seems like a set-up. As I waved a palm branch this morning at the United Church of Santa Fe, a part of me wanted to cry out, "Watch out, Jesus. The story is not over."

Clergy Call for Justice & Equality, Washington DC, Apr 16 - 17

Tuesday, March 27 2007 @ 06:57 PM

Our MLP field organizer, Michael Adee is calling upon More Light Presbyterians to participate in the historic Clergy Call for Justice & Equality, April 16 - 17, Washington, DC with a call for your voice and prayers

Clergy committed to spiritual and civil equality for LGBT persons and their families from all 50 states will converge upon Washington, DC to rally and lobby Congress on Capitol Hill on April 17.

A new year, a new Journey... Epiphany & perspective - mountain climbing in Africa

Wednesday, January 03 2007 @ 08:59 AM

From our field organizer Michael Adee

More Light Presbyterians & Friends ---

Happy New Year. My hope and prayer is that this new year will be one filled with peace of heart and mind for each of you and those you love. And, may our prayers for peace in the world become reality.

In a few days, we will mark and celebrate the mystery and wonder of Epiphany on January 6. As you know, this tradition is often referred to as the Epiphany of the Lord. It is associated with the visit of the Wise Men from the East, or the Three Kings as often displayed in church Christmas pageants. Isaiah 60: 1- 6 and Matthew 2: 1- 12 are the Biblical texts.

Advent Reflections & Shades of Pink ...the Third Sunday of Advent

Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 06:35 AM

From our field organizer Michael Adee

Of Advent and Christmas, Madeline L'Engle in her book, The Winter of the Heart, said: "This is the irrational season when love blooms bright and wild. Had Mary been filled with reason, there'd have been no room for the Child."

Today is the third Sunday in Advent. The third candle is Joy and its color is pink. Why is this candle different from the others? Some would say, this candle is pink as the color of the Rose that blooms in the midst of winter echoing the promise of the prophet Isaiah that even in the desert there would be life and a blossom.

World AIDS Day - Dec. 1st 2006

Wednesday, November 29 2006 @ 12:20 PM

More Light Presbyterians & Friends --

December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a day of remembrance, ministry and action. HIV/AIDS has been with us for more than 25 years. College and high school students have not known a world or life without HIV.

"Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise" is the World AIDS Day Campaign theme for 2006.

Is being anti-gay on shaky ground for Christians & good citizens?

Monday, November 27 2006 @ 06:17 AM

More Light Presbyterians & Friends --

Is the Presbyterian Church (USA) anti-gay? Is being anti-gay on shaky ground for Christians & good citizens?

Is the Presbyterian Church (USA) an anti-gay denomination?
Is there any Christian virtue, ethic or compassion in "love the sinner, hate the sin" as applied to "homosexuals" or rather lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons?
Is the Christian Church in a Galileo II phase?
What is the real world affect upon LGBT persons & their families by the ecclesiastical battles over homosexuality?

Syndicated columnist Tom Teepen's column today in New London, Connecticut's The Day online newspaper offers us an outsider's view into Christianity's relationship with LGBT persons and our families.

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On the Road with Michael Adee