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Join a network of people seeking the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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Friday, January 02 2009 @ 04:02 PM by Toby Rogers
 The December 29, 2008 edition of The Presbyterian Outlook contains a remarkable article by the Rev. Arlo Duba on how his mind was changed -- from opposing LGBT equality for nearly twenty years to now supporting LGBT equality. The Rev. Duba is Professor of Worship Emeritus, retired Dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, and one of the foremost experts on worship in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This is a very big deal.
How was his mind changed? Like a lot of people, he went back to the Biblical texts and read them with an open mind. From the article:
"I rejoiced when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was given the authoritative interpretation that precluded homosexual participation in the ministry of the church in 1978. I thought the issue was settled once and for all. I continued my smugness for more than twenty years when the denomination repeatedly confirmed that interpretation. I was simply so certain that I never read any of the literature being produced about the issue.
Then my Bible reading and study led me to the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39)...
I am convinced that it was my Lord who opened my eyes in my Bible reading and study, and turned me around 180 degrees. God changed my whole way of thinking, breaking down in my mind the barriers to people of a “different” gender condition in the work of the church."
You've gotta read the whole article (click here)! It's fantastic! And please take a moment to leave a comment to let Rev. Duba know how much we appreciate his thoughtful article.
Friends, the Holy Spirit is at work in this church. Change is coming. The injustice and intolerance of the last 30 years shall come to an end. |
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Thursday, January 01 2009 @ 09:00 AM by Michael Adee
 525,600 minutes... More Light 2008 in Review... Welcoming in a New Year
Happy New Year to you and those you love.
How do people of faith measure time? Is it kronos, or kairos? Of course, it is both. Our culture encourages us to wear watches, work from 9 to 5 (or longer) and our language indicates some of the tyranny of time with expressions like "beating the clock." And, as people of faith, Christians, we are encouraged to be on the watch for the realm of God in the sense of kairos: moments that we call God's time. |
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Monday, December 29 2008 @ 08:08 AM by Michael Adee
 Reflections and lessons from Frank Rich's NYT OP-ED "You're Likable Enough, Gay People"
In the midst of the national conversation about President-elect Obama's controversial choice of his inaugural invocation to Rick Warren, the California megachurch preacher who supported Proposition 8, opposes marriage equality and has publicly defamed LGBT persons and our relationships with accusations of pedophilia and comparisons of incest and polygamy, I have been reflecting upon insights or lessons for the Presbyterian Church (USA) from this national scenario and deeply troubling choice.
And, if the Obama-Warren situation was not enough, the recent anti-LGBT remarks by Pope Benedict XVl claiming that seeking to understand one's gender and sexual orientation leads to the "self-destruction of humanity" sadly only gives religious sanction to homophobia and discrimination. Essentially, the Pope said humankind needs to be protected from gay people likening it to the protection needed to save the rain forest. The truth is, LGBT people need and deserve protection from religious and political leaders who fail to recognize our sacred creation, worth and citizenship in church and society.
No wonder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people rightly question if the Church is, or will be friend or foe. |
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Tuesday, December 23 2008 @ 06:30 PM by 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."
The familiarity of the Christmas story may have dulled our senses to its wild nature and irrationality. Familiarity can breed a sense of entitlement.... this story is just for us, or just for people who believe in the right way. |
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Tuesday, December 23 2008 @ 01:16 PM by Toby Rogers
 The journey that we are on together, to achieve LGBT equality in the church and society, is not easy. This fall, our Co-Moderator, Rev. Janet Edwards began a conversation with the National Board and staff of More Light Presbyterians about a process we might engage in together for mutual renewal and up building -- a Sabbath where we might study and pray together to find renewal while centering ourselves in faith in preparation for the journey ahead.
Over the course of many months, Janet developed a Christmastide Devotional -- 12 days of Bible study and prayer from December 26 through Epiphany on January 6. It's a wonderful gift and we wanted to share it with you (pasted below).
As our Church continues to prayerfully consider and vote on the 218th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 08-B, we want to invite you to join with us in Bible study, prayer, and reflection. You can use this devotional guide from December 26 to January 6 in your personal meditations or share it with a group. Together we are building a Church for All God's people.
We hold our Church and world in prayer during Christmastide.
With hope and grace,
The National Board of Directors and Staff of More Light Presbyterians
(please click Read More below for the More Light Christmastide Devotional)
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Wednesday, December 17 2008 @ 09:45 PM by Toby Rogers
 As you know, in the next four months, presbyteries across the United States will debate and vote on Ordination Amendment 08-B. A "Yes" vote will enable the denomination to move forward together again as one church family committed to the equality of all of its members. A "No" vote will leave us mired in the same division, conflict, and unjust policies which have characterized the church for decades. So the stakes couldn't be higher.
It seems to me that the debate over Amendment 08-B isn't just one debate. Rather, it's a series of smaller debates: What would Jesus do? What does the Bible say? What does our theology teach us? What do we know from science? Where is the Holy Spirit leading us? What have we learned from living in the world and experiencing the tremendous gift of knowing people who are LGBT?
In every instance the preponderance of evidence supports LGBT equality.
But in a wide ranging debate it is not easy to be an expert on all the different facets of this conversation. And in a fast moving debate, it's sometimes tough to keep up with the numerous arguments that are bandied about.
So More Light Presbyterians has put together a free Resource Packet. It includes articles, analysis, and handouts that show why Jesus, the Bible, theology, science, our lived experience and a whole host of other reasons all support LGBT equality. Basically it's everything you need in order to put together a comprehensive argument in favor of LGBT equality in your presbytery. The Resource Packet includes:
(please click Read more for additional information)
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Wednesday, December 17 2008 @ 04:15 AM by Michael Adee
 In the midst of this sacred season of Advent and Christmas as we reflect upon the meaning of Immanuel, God with us, in the coming of Christ into the world and into our lives, hope stirs up inside our hearts and spirits. God knows with everything going on in our nation and world, we can use a large measure of hope!
In the Scriptures, the promise of Immanuel, of "God with us" was not limited to one kind of people, one kind of "us." This Advent, as we listen to the retelling of Christmas story in Luke 2: 1- 20, let us remember that Jesus entered the world as "God with us" in the flesh for all persons, no exceptions. No one left out.
This Christmas, you can give the Gift of Hope and Justice to family and friends by giving a donation in their name and honor to the YES on 08-B Campaign to ratify the 218th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment that removes discrimination against LGBT people from our Church's Constitution. This past June, the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) gave us the chance to change history through the Ordination Amendment 08-B. Let all of us be part of changing history, ending discrimination and creating welcoming and affirming spaces for all persons, particularly God's LGBT children and their families within our Church world. |
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Wednesday, December 10 2008 @ 10:34 PM by Toby Rogers
 Have you seen the new issue of Newsweek (Dec. 15, 2008)? All I can say is wow! If you haven't already read it, you are in for a treat! The cover story, "The Religious Case for Gay Marriage" by Newsweek religion editor Lisa Miller is extraordinary. As to what the Bible says or doesn't say about homosexuality and marriage, Miller did her homework and went back to the Scriptures to see for herself. And in just a few well-crafted paragraphs, she completely dismantles decades of traditionalist subterfuge, misdirection, and flat out misinformation about what the Bible actually says.
Here are some of the highlights from the article:
- "Biblical literalists will disagree, but the Bible is a living document, powerful for more than 2,000 years because its truths speak to us even as we change through history. In that light, Scripture gives us no good reason why gays and lesbians should not be (civilly and religiously) married -- and a number of excellent reasons why they should..."
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Monday, December 08 2008 @ 01:01 PM by Heather Reichgott
 People across the country who support changing G-6.0106b urge us to vote YES! when it's time to ratify 08-b in presbyteries. Do not be confused by those who suggest voting "no action". A vote of "no action" means that G-6.0106b remains exactly as it is. A vote of "no" means that G-6.0106b remains exactly as it is. "No action" is not a compromise position; it is the same as voting "no."
More Light Presbyterians joins our friends at the Witherspoon Society, Presbyterian Welcome, That All May Freely Serve, and Covenant Network in our call for ordination standards that put Jesus Christ, not sexual orientation, first!
Vote YES!
The Witherspoon Society's (large) collection of comments from 08-b supporters is here.
Ray Bagnuolo writes: "The Worst Action of All: No Action."
John Shuck on why we can't wait for consensus.
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Monday, December 01 2008 @ 04:28 AM by Michael Adee
 Started on December 1, 1988, World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice, raising money and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.
AIDS was first identified in the USA in 1981. The epidemic has now spread to every part of the USA and to all sectors of society. It is thought that more than one million people are living with HIV in the USA and that more than half a million have died after developing AIDS in the USA.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Young people under 25 years old account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. |
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