 | As we mark a year of COVID-19 lockdowns and anticipate the coming Spring, we’re so grateful for you and all that you do and pray that you are seeing signs of renewal and resurrection all around. Just recently More Light Presbyterians was mentioned by Senator Coons from Delaware as he accepted a group of petitions from faith leaders in support of the Equality Act, a bill which would prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Senator Coons celebrated the faith leaders’ activism, citing that both Presbyterian churches he has attended in recent decades were affiliated with More Light Presbyterians. On your behalf, More Light was one of several faith groups that have submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Equality Act. This is the power of being a More Light Church--a banner under which the good work of communities for the mutual benefit of all its members may be done with clarity of purpose. The More Light name signals a vital place of faith in action. As exciting as it is to hear such powerful words from a sitting U.S. Senator, I am acutely aware of the pushback that is already coming out strong. This year alone, 25 states brought up anti-trans legislation, and the Governor of Mississippi recently signed legislation preventing transgender students from participating in school sports, and Arkansas just passed legislation banning transgender youth from accessing health care. As we witness the trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd, and mourn those murdered in Atlanta due to ant-Asian prejudice, we recognize the attacks on transgender lives are part of a larger scope of violence share the same poisoned root as attacks on Asian lives, Black lives, immigrant lives, and queer lives wrought by suspicion, misinformation, and fear stoked by white supremacy. As we venture through Holy Week into Easter, we lift up and pray for the multitudes among us who have lost family members and loved ones to police brutality and other state-sanctioned violence. May we all be empowered by Jesus’s own refusal to give in to any narrative that refuses to honor the full humanity of ALL of God’s beloved children. May we also remember God is with us through all things, drawing us together, and that the gift of this abundant community is a reminder that we are never alone. |
|  | We are excited to share with you that we will be providing TWO Virtual Pulpit Supply opportunities in April. We know pastors are tired, and we are grateful to be able to offer this resource as a way of both sharing the message of More Light and to offer some respite to the weary. Though the ongoing pandemic has kept More Light’s work virtual, we are so thankful for the increased opportunities virtual events offer to gather with the extended More Light family across the country. We hope to see you at an event soon, and we hope these program offerings can support your ongoing ministries for God’s abundant love and justice in the world! |
| Our first Virtual Pulpit Supply Preacher for April is Ethel Hornbeck. Ethel is a spiritual director with an abiding interest in how the Spirit is experienced, and practiced, in everyday human life. A deeply rooted Presbyterian, she has been influenced by the wisdom, practices, and the mystics of all the deep wisdom traditions. This grounds all of her work–in parish ministry, spiritual formation, education programming, campus ministry and social justice advocacy. The struggle for racial and gender justice has been at the heart of her ministry and ongoing faith journey. Ethel holds a Masters of Theological Studies in Spirituality Studies from the Washington Theological Union, and is a graduate of the Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program, where she has also served on staff. |
|
|
| Soup to Nuts: Scripture for April 11: John 20:19-31 Sermon Title: Promising Peace Themes:This sermon will examine the refrain of peace offered in John’s Gospel, a peace that is so much more than a simple word of comfort, a Sunday greeting, or a call to uphold the status quo. The peace that the Risen One brings is an invitation to embrace a radically inclusive vision that offers liberation and fullness of life for all people, all creatures and creation herself. Go here for more information on how to sign up for a downloadable welcome, scripture reading, sermon, and benediction for worship for Sunday, April 11. |
|
|
| | On April 25, Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin will be bringing the Word to Virtual Pulpit Supply. Ashley is a lifelong Presbyterian: beginning her journey in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland before moving to the US in 2011. Her move across the ocean has a deep connection to More Light. When it became clear to Ashley that she was unable to serve as an openly queer person in her home denomination, she found the website of More Light and it prompted a journey to Nashville. |
|
|
| Ashley pursued theological education studied at Vanderbilt Divinity School and in 2018 was the first openly queer person ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. In 2019 Ashley and her wife, Erica, moved to Long Island where Ashley serves as the Community Outreach Pastor at Setauket Presbyterian Church. Ashley is a passionate Irish rugby fan, has a mixed up Larne/Nashville accent, and in the words of her wife “has a laugh that can be heard from miles away.” Sermon text, title, and themes for April 25 Virtual Pulpit Supply will be available April 9. Go here for more information on how to sign up for a downloadable welcome, scripture reading, sermon, and benediction for worship for Sunday, April 25. |
|
|
|  | Liberation Bible Study continues to offer timely and powerful messages of resilience and liberation for those who need it. This Wednesday, March 31, Alex will be joined by Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza for a special Transgender Day of Visibility podcast as they discuss the Good Friday story through the lens of visibility. To join, simply hop onto More Light’s Facebook page this Wednesday, March 31, at 6pm ET, and be there as we go live! We also have an abundance of bonus episodes of Liberation Bible Study to guide you through Holy Week. Follow the links below to listen and download episodes on your favorite podcast platform. Stitcher
Amazon Music
Spotify
Apple Music
Soundcloud
Google Music We hope that you have felt our presence with you through this past year, and that as our reality shifts yet again, you’ll continue to draw from our resources and support. With deep gratitude for your continued partnership and to be part of this More Light family. Much heart, |
|  | Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill
he/him/his
Executive Director
More Light Presbyterians P.S. Looking for an easy way to stay in touch with More Light? Or receive regular messages of support and affirmation? Or make donations in a snap? You can now stay in touch with More Light via text messaging! To sign up, simply text 72572 and enter the code 1MLP to connect with the speed and ease of a text message. |
| |
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment