In choosing to become a More Light Church, The Church of Gethsemane has been informed by scripture, the confessions of the church, the Book of Order, and the experience of the community of faith. The Church of Gethsemane is particularly mindful of the Book of Order's call to inclusivity evidenced by such sections as G-5.0103:
The congregation shall welcome all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God's grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the membership and ministry of his church. No person shall be denied membership because of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, nor any other reason not related to profession of faith.
and also G-3.0401b:
The church is called ... to a new openness to its own community of diversity, becoming in fact as well as in faith a community of women and men of all ages, races, and condition, and providing for inclusiveness as a visible sign of the new humanity.
Since June 1991, The Church of Gethsemane has continued theological reflection and conversation about human sexuality. This congregation aims to model a wholeness and health to the world that reflects the love of God for all people. We continue to educate ourselves and to work with other churches to promoted understanding and acceptance of gay and lesbian Christians in the sanctuary, in the board room, in the classroom and in all facets of our society.
"We stand accused by our scriptures, by the events of our world today, and by the disasters that our own attitudes have caused."
"WE BELIEVE that people can change, and that God keeps pulling us to life, and to a new world of joy and peace."
These two statements are repeated each Sunday in the liturgy used at The Church of Gethsemane. The first is taken from our "Call to Confession" and the second is part of our "Affirmation of Faith." Both statements are foundational to who we are as a community and who we strive to become as individuals. Both statements also describe the spirit and faith of this congregation as it underwent a period of inquiry and subsequently voted to become a More Light Church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Early in 1991, several members of The Church of Gethsemane asked if the congregation could study the issue of becoming a More Light Church. At its March 10, 1991 meeting, Session discussed this request, and set aside the next three months as a time of study and discussion, encouraging the congregation to explore theologies of human sexuality. The time of education and dialogue included Christian Education classes, sermons, distribution of information resources and informal conversation. At the end of the three months, Elder Louisa Hill conducted a confidential survey of the congregation which included a ballot for voting whether The Church of Gethsemane should become a More Light Church. When the congregation voted, there were only three negative votes.
Session later held its own vote and agreed unanimously that Gethsemane would become a More Light Church, understanding this to mean that The Church of Gethsemane would not restrict lesbian and gay Christians from full membership and participation in the church, including ordained leadership positions. As is stated in the literature of the More Light Network, "A More Light Church does not claim to have more light than other churches, but proclaims it is actively seeking more light on the inclusive nature of the church, particularly as it relates to lesbian women and gay men."