MLP October Newsletter!

In This Issue *Staff Update: A note from Claudia and Jesy *MLP on the Road! *We need you! *WE HAVE NEW MLP Merch! *Donate Today

Staff Update!

From Director of Engagement: Claudia Aguilar Rubaclava

We claim to be a connectional church. It is in our DNA as Presbyterians and as an organization. Relationships are at the core of what we do. The more we connect with each other, the stronger our work becomes. The more voices we hear, the more efficient our advocacy is. This month, we had the joy of connecting with so many of you as we led Youthquake at Ferncliff and in our Louisville mini-tour where we engaged in body, mind, and soul with MLP congregations and communities that were curious about becoming part of our network. And I can’t wait but wonder… How can we connect with you? How can we connect you with other MLP communities in your area? How can we connect you with the right resources?  If your congregation, city, or presbytery is interested in having a member of our team (staff, current, and former board members), please reach out to Claudia at claudia@mlp.org

From Director of Operations: Jesy Littlejohn

We are THRILLED to announce that we have partnered with Worship Times to beging the official construction of our new website! Our hope is that by January, 2025, we will have a beautifully accessible website that will help with the continued growth of More Light Presbyterians.  This new site will be more user friendly, contain resources and programming for your congregation or ministry area, and a new shop interface. It's been a long time coming, and we are thankful to have Worship Times to help us concur, what we have affectionately (note-so-affectionately) called the Monster! It's important to note that as we make this transition, that you can still access our current Google Site at MLP.org. Remember that this is the only website we are currently from. Any other website, or likeness of our name or information is false. We have experienced some unfortunate luck of late of scammers trying to use our information to solicit donations. Again, we are are ONLY operating our of MLP.org. If you have concerns or questions, please feel free to contact jesy@mlp.org.

COMING SOON!!!

MLP is back on the road! If you are going to be attending one of these events and want to chat with us or just hang out, email claudia@mlp.org to make plans.

October 16-19: More Light Presbyterians Board Retreat in Chicago, IL. October 20 - Claudia will be teaching a session for First Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, OH October 25-27 - Rev. Claudia Aguilar will be preaching at Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church in Oregon for their anniversary celebration.

Does your church or presbytery want to host a workshop? Would you like an MLP Staff member, Board member or Alumni to come preach at your church or teach a Sunday School class? Feel free to reach out to us to let us know! Visit our "Get Involved" Page today to fill out the form and we'll be in touch soon.

Our collective wisdom and knowledge can take us farther than what we can do on our own. You can help us this month in a few ways: *Do you have Pride pictures? Keep them coming! Please email them to hello@mlp.org  *We are trying to collect a list of all of our former board members to create an MLP alumni group. Have you served on our board or do you know someone who has served on our board? Send us an email or fill out this form and someone will be in touch soon. *Has your congregation paid dues this year? If not, you may submit them here.Your dues help us do this work.

It's giving...Service. It's giving calling.    Check out our new Called to Serve sticker in the MLP Shop :)   Check out the link to the shop here and stock up today!

Your gift helps to advance More Light Presbyterians center and celebrate the lives, gifts and leadership of LGBTQIA+ people in the PC(USA) and beyond! Click the link to donate today! Donate Today!

Our Contact Information More Light Presbyterians P.O. Box 735764 Chicago, IL 60673 (720) 288-0838 http://www.mlp.org Unsubscribe | Manage email preferences

More Light Presbyterians - May Newsletter

May Newsletter Introducing our new monthly newsletter! More Light Presbyterians has been busy - but not quite as outgoing - in the last few years,so you may be wondering, what have you all been up to? Well, let us share with you!  In this Issue Staff Update — See what our Directors of Engagement and Operations are up to! Upcoming events — Check our where MLP will be in the upcoming weeks More Light Presbyterian Website — We have launched a new temporary website that is much more accessible! Wanna help us? More Light Merchandise! Donate Today! Staff Updates After much reflection and discernment, the board created a new organizational structure that aligns with our new mission and values. This led to the hiring of our Director of Engagement, Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava (she/her) and our Director of Operations, Jesy Littlejohn (they/them). You can learn more about us here.   We crafted new mission and vision statements that honor our amazing history, acknowledge how our realities have changed, and the dream of a future where everyone thrives. You can see our new mission and vision here.   We embarked on (and completed) the monumental task of switching our database management system to Bloomerang! All donations, recurring giving, and bulk correspondence will come from this system. Please make sure that you mark this address safe so that we don't go to your junk mail!   We are currently in a stage of transition and will be working on a brand-new website! In the interim, thanks to the efforts of MLP board member, Ófe Abreu Rosario and our Director of Operations, we have a new temporary website! The good news: You can still use the same web address! www.mlp.org! The new temporary page streamlines the basic functions of our website! As you navigate this new temporary site, if there are resources or information that you cannot find, please contact hello@mlp.org.   Finally, we are starting to create and launch programming that is consistent with our new mission and vision —like this newsletter! Be on the lookout for new opportunities and resources for you and your ministry areas!   With hope, grace, and peace, Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava — Director of Engagement Jesy Littlejohn — Director of Operations Upcoming Events MLP will be busy this summer! If you are going to be attending one of these events and want to chat with us or just hang out, email our Director of Engagement, Claudia to make plans! Mark your calendars now for our upcoming events!    May 21 — Join MLP, NEXT Church, and Sanctified Art as we host a conversation about what it looks like to host a Pride service in your congregation, and the partnership between MLP and Sanctified Art for LGBTQIA inclusive liturgy for Pride.   June 9 — MLP Pride Service (online). Join us at 5 pm EST as we celebrate all bodies and all loves. You don’t want to miss this!    June 16-21 — Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) Worship and Music Conference in Montreat, NC.   June 29-July 1 — General Assembly. Both of our Directors will be on site for GA this year! We will have a hospitality suite at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. More details are forthcoming. We will also host a cocktail reception on June 29th at 8 pm at the Diamond Lounge of the Hilton SLC Center to kick off our 25th/50th anniversary celebrations with finger foods, a cash bar, and a dance party! Submit your favorite songs here.   July 11-14 — Wild Goose Festival. It’s our first time there, so come to our table and say hi!    July 15-21 — Montreat Middle School Conference. Rev. Claudia Aguilar, our Director of Engagement, will be keynoting the conference.    TBD - A Facebook Live conversation between Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) and MLP. PHS has been helping organize and catalog our records and have incredible discoveries to unearth.

Support More Light Presbyterians

Do you have THE picture? Our story started with David Sindt holding a sign that said: “Is anybody else out there gay?” Everybody remembers the moment, but we don’t have a picture of it. Do you have a copy of this picture? Email it to hello@mlp.org

Speaking of holding signs: If you were holding up a sign at General Assemby or your Presbytery meeting, what would you say? Where is justice still needed? What work is still to be done? Send an email to hello@mlp.org with a 5 second video or an image of you (or anyone in your community!) holding a sign that would start a movement in our denomination and honor David Sindt’s courage!

Purchase the A Sanctified Art/More Light Presbyterians Pride Sunday liturgy here.

We are trying to collect a list of all of our former board members to create an MLP alumni group. Have you served on our board or do you know someone who has served on our board? Fill our this form and we will be in touch with you in the next few months.

Has your congregation paid dues this year? If not, you may submit them here. Your dues help us do this work.

More Light Merchandise!

Pride is drawing closer! Do you have your More Light Presbyterians Merch ready to pass out? We have you covered! Check out all our pins and stickers in the More Light Shop, including this multipack of MLP Logo stickers that include various identity pride Flags

Your gift helps to advance More Light Presbyterians mission to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Click the button to learn how you can donate today! DONATE TODAY!

Our Contact Information More Light Presbyterians P.O. Box 735764 Chicago, IL 60673 (720) 288-0838 http://www.mlp.org