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Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava

Director of Engagement

Gender Pronouns: she/her

Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava is the director of engagement at More Light Presbyterians. She has worked in churches, campus ministries, hospitals, and institutions of theological education in several roles. Being bilingual, bicultural, and binational is part of her call to build bridges among different groups of people. She is a certified yoga instructor and loves music, dogs, cooking, and baking.…

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All Souls Parish Presbyterian Church of Port Chest

Port Chester, NY

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Rev. Pamela Anderson

More Light Board Member

Gender Pronouns: she/her

Pamela (she/her) has been a PC(USA) teaching elder for the last 31 years. She has served churches throughout California, New Jersey, and Australia and has been a professor of religion at the University of Phoenix. She is currently active in the life of the LGBTQUIA+ community in Sacramento, CA. Additionally, she is an activist and has been an organizer for the state of California with the Poor People’s Campaign and the recent March on Washington, D.C.…

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Avery Arden

More Light Board Member

Gender Pronouns: they/ze

Avery (they/ze, MDiv) is an autistic, genderqueer, leftist minister residing in Atlanta, Georgia with their wife and two cats. You can most often find them engaged in embroidery or other crafts; waxing poetical about the queerness of God, or digging into biblical Hebrew and Greek. Most of Avery’s ministry takes place online, and includes a multifaith podcast of transgender stories; affirming liturgy and workshops; and a Disabled AND Blessed YouTube series.

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Arise Campus Ministry

Being a More Light campus group is important to us because we are the only publicly affirming Christian campus ministry group at George Mason University. Our students have long advocated for and been a safe place at GMU, and we want to publicly declare our welcoming statement to all six of the denominations that support Arise.…

Fairfax, VA

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Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church

It is important to become a More Light congregation so that we can show our community that we affirm all LGBTQAI+ persons and their families. Our church began the journey to affirming More Light by creating a new ministry under our mission team. We began reading books on queer theology, meeting in small groups, and planning for upcoming classes and book discussion for our congregation.…

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Arlington Presbyterian Church

APC Session believes that formally endorsing MLP’s statement and becoming part of a national community of hope and equality is an explicit expression of a value that is fully consistent with who we are, and not a representation of something “new.” As Don Peebles, Clerk of Session, put it, becoming a More Light congregation is akin to “turning on the porch light,” that APC intentionally welcomes LGBTQ+ folks.…

Arlington, VA

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Beacon Hill Fellowship

​The Beacon Hill Fellowship is a Christian church that aspires to be a caring community of faith serving as a beacon of hope and healing to our hurting world.  For us, this means gathering as a congregation to love one another and learn from one another so that we can be liberated to scatter into our social networks to promote God’s dream of a more just, compassionate and humble society. …

Lakeland, FL

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Beaumont Presbyterian Church

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Bethany Presbyterian Church

“We come to our views about the relationships and identities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons because of our understanding of scripture, not in spite of it.” ~ Pastor Heather

The policy of BPC is FULL inclusion of LGBTQ+ members, including serving in ordained leadership. We are a More Light Presbyteriancongregation, we suport Odyssey Youth Movement and every year we participate in Spokane’s Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival.

Spokane, WA

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Bethany Presbyterian Church

Bethany is proud to be a More Light Congregation, which means we fully welcome people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender into the life and ministry of the church.

Tacoma, WA

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Bethany Presbyterian Church

At Bethany we find a nurturing community of faith, centered in the belief that God in Christ calls us to be family. Through worship, prayer, study and fellowship, we discover God’s presence and love for us in our lives. With grateful hearts, we also seek ways to embody and live out God’s love towards the larger community through hands-on outreach and mission.  …

San Bruno, CA

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Bethesda Presbyterian Church

OUR HOSPITALITY TO AND EMBRACE OF OUR LGBTQ NEIGHBORS
In our Statement of Welcome at the top of each Sunday’s Worship program, we boldly state and stand by this affirmation: “Bethesda Presbyterian Church is a diverse congregation welcoming all persons to serve Christ as full and active participants in our faith community, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, or any other personal attribute.” We are also proud that our pastor served 15 years ago on the pioneering national Presbyterian board whose witness opened the door for LGBTQ persons to serve in all levels of church governance – including pastoral ordination.…

Bethesda, MD

Black Mountain Presbyterian

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church welcomes and affirms all of our siblings in Christ.  Becoming a More Light congregation makes our welcome more visible to our community in our inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and those seeking to worship in a safe, welcoming and affirming space.  ALL people are welcome here!

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Blissfield Presbyterian Church

Blissfield, MI

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Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church

In the early 1990s, the congregation became a More Light Church, publicly affirming the gifts of LGBTQ Christians and signaling the church’s ongoing commitment to be a welcoming church.

Baltimore, MD

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Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church

More Light

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is a member of More Light Presbyterians.

Minneapolis, MN

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Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church

Our Mission
We seek to build a diverse, intentional, affirming community animated by joyful worship and called forth into social action for service to the greater good.

We seek to hear God’s call not only as individuals but also as a progressive, missional community striving to reflect the Kingdom of God in the here and now.…

Charlotte, NC

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Calvary UKirk

Indiana, Pennsylvania

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Campus Protestant Ministry at Union College

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Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church

Denver, CO

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Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church

Welcome to Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church.  We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) committed to serving God in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and beyond.  Together we explore faith and care for one another and our world.  We believe God loves all people, so we welcome all people at CHCP.  As a member of More Light Presbyterians, we embrace the full participation of LGBTQ persons in the life of the congregation.…

Washington, DC

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Celebration of Life Church

Celebration of Life has been called by God to be a congregation that welcomes and fully values all persons.  Our diversity is a gift of God and essential to our witness to the Gospel.

 

Mesa, AZ

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Central Presbyterian Church

Central Presbyterian Church has joyfully been a More Light congregation since 1983.

Louisville, KY

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Central Presbyterian Church

Vision Statement

With God’s help we bring together people to worship and work for Christ through prayer and praise, community action and ministries of compassion, spiritual fellowship and nurture. As Christians, we welcome into God’s house all people regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, family status, nationality, faith background, education, abilities or income.…

Kansas City, MO

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Central Presbyterian Church

Over the last 8 years, we have become involved in our community, which includes a deeper relationship with those in our community that identify as LGBTQ++. Two years ago, a member of our community who offers counseling to members of the LGBTQ++ community who have experienced violence in their relationships asked if he could use our building for such counseling sessions.…

Mobile, AL

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Cherokee Park United Church

LGBTGI+ Commitment

We are a boldly and proudly LGBTQI+ inclusive faith community, welcoming and sharing God’s love for everyone across all orientations and identities, that find themselves here with us for any reason, from the curiously shy, to members, leaders, or pastors.

You are enough, just as you are.

Recently:

  • Celebrate and bless our rainbow flag, welcoming all LGBTQI+ people, regardless of your comfort with churchy stuff, or particularly if you are looking because of past experiences.

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Christ Church Presbyterian

Burlington, VT

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Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians

Open and Affirming

Christ Church Uniting is an open and affirming congregation: this means we have made a public covenant of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions into the full life and ministry of our congregation.

CCU is committed to being an inclusive, progressive church a place where a broad spectrum of persons, perspectives and spiritual paths are welcome to join together in a spirit of Christian fellowship and exploration.…

Kailua, HI

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Christ in Terra Linda Church

CPC is proud to be a member of More Light Presbyterians. More Light is a national network of churches that believe in the full inclusion of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer community in the life of the church including ordination and marriage. Together, More Light churches work for a world that reflects God’s heart and all-inclusive love.

San Rafael, CA

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Christ Presbyterian Church

Martinsville, NJ

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Christ United Church

Olmsted Falls, OH

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Christian Community Presbyterian Church

Christian Community Presbyterian Church has been a welcoming one for a long time. We already have LBGTQ members and attendees, and this step will reassure them that we affirm them in their life journey as Christians.
It also will tell the community more about who we are as a church, informing those who might be considering our congregation as a church home.

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Church of Gethsemane

We are welcoming, diverse and inclusive. We are a unique intentional congregation of persons from all racial, ethnic, economic and educational backgrounds, “founded in 1986 as a New Church Development and established as a church in 1989, The Church of Gethsemane is a congregation of The Presbyterian Church (USA) created by and for incarcerated persons, formerly incarcerated persons, their families, neighborhood persons, and people who feel called into ministry with the poor.”

The Church of Gethsemane is a More Light Presbyterian Church and a member of New York City’s Presbyterian Welcome.…

Brooklyn, NY

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Church of Reconciliation

Chapel Hill, NC

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Church of The Covenant

​Church of the Covenant has a history of lobbying for openness and support for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our congregation, one that proudly continues on today! Highlights from our history include:

  • Church of the Covenant became a “More Light” Church within the Presbyterian church in 1980.
  • In 1986, Church of the Covenant became the first Congregation in the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ to declare itself “Open and Affirming,” joining only seven churches nationwide that had previously made this decision.

Boston, MA

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Church of the Covenant

The Church of the Covenant is a diverse congregation in the vibrant cultural center of University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio. Convinced of God’s grace, the Church of the Covenant seeks to be a welcoming spiritual home, live God’s inclusive love, express Christ’s compassion, and do justice in the world. We are seeking to know Jesus and make him known through meaningful worship, inspiring music, compassionate outreach, and in-depth theological study that leads us to engage our community and our world that God so loves.…

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Church of The Pilgrims

Capital Pride

On the second weekend in June, the Capital Pride Parade starts at the front steps of Church of the Pilgrims. Each year, we open our doors for inclusive bathrooms, water, and our air-conditioned sanctuary. Hundreds of Pride-goers come through our doors and Pilgrims is honored to offer hospitality to all those giving witness to the prideful spirit of Washington, DC’s LGBTQ community.…

Washington, DC

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Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church

History and Description
Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (CHPC) has a rich heritage benefiting from the merger of three churches:  the original St. Andrews Church of South Boston, the Union Square Church of Somerville, and the Trinity Church of Somerville.  We have been in our current location, near Tufts University, since the 1920s.  We are proudly Presbyterian, with roots in the Reformed tradition, and we seek to be a relevant presence in our community. …

Somerville, MA

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Clarendon Presbyterian Church

WHO WE ARE

Clarendon Presbyterian Church (CPC) is a congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of National Capital Presbytery. We are also members of the More Light Presbyterians network of congregations, working for the full participation of LGBTQ people of faith in the life of the church.…

Arlington, VA

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Colesville Presbyterian Church

Silver Spring, MD

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College Hill Presbyterian Church

Tulas, OK

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Collenbrook United Church

Welcome to Collenbrook United Church!
Where All Are Welcome, All The Time, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Drexel Hill, PA

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Community House Church

Pittsburgh, PA

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Community of Reconciliation

Our recognition of the gifts of all of God’s people:  We began as an intentionally interracial church, and have always welcomed the leadership of men and women.  In 2006 we further affirmed our commitment to be a radically inclusive congregation with an addition to our church covenant: “we invite the full participation of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or worldly condition in the life and ministry of our church.”  Within each of our partner denominations, we are members of groups working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in life and ministry of the church.

Pittsburgh, PA

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Community of The Servant-Savior

An Affirming and Inclusive Church

As a More Light Church, we’re working toward the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of our shared life–from ministry and witness via the Presbyterian Church (USA)–to all those parts of everyday life that constitute a dignified life. We see diversity as one of God’s many blessings to the community and we choose to further this understanding through our presence and actions in the world.

Houston, TX

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Community Presbyterian Church

Merrick, NY

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Community Presbyterian Church

We recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. We invite all people to participate in our community and worship life including, but not limited to: believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and identities, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.…

Pittsburg, CA

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Corydon Presbyterian Church

Corydon, IN

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Covenant Community Church

Louisville, KY

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Covenant Presbyterian Church

Lubbock, TX

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Cross Street Community of New York City

Cross Street Community of NYC is a New Worship Community located in the Ridgewood neighborhoods in Queens (NYC).

We are in the very early stages of beginning our ministry in Ridgewood. We have been sent by God to be a diverse and unique ministry designed toward runaway and houseless youth, LGBTQAI+ youth, and their allies. Cross Street Community is a Matthew 25 Church of the Presbyterian Church (USA).