Join us for More Light Sunday

Have you felt it? It’s not quite a rumble . . . more like a murmur. . . A hum. . . We’ve heard it in conversations among ourselves, as with each passing month of the ongoing pandemic we dive a little deeper into our own vulnerabilities, become a little more courageous with how we show up. We’ve felt it as we’ve found the steadying of our own voices, calling one another in as we learn to engage the softest parts of ourselves with conviction. We’ve felt it as we sink into the deep work of unmasking the lies that for too long have masqueraded as truth, lies told for centuries in order to maintain a death-dealing status quo.  When a caterpillar goes into her cocoon, she envelops herself in preparation for transformation. She does not simply grow wings inside her silken case; her body turns into ooze which, when reformed, will break free and emerge in all of her fluttering splendor. Last year, on More Light Sunday we worshipped with almost 300 people over Zoom, basking together in the joy we felt in a moment of connection and nourishment that was needed for so many of us. As we began planning for this year’s More Light Sunday worship, we realized that, much like the chrysalis, we are feeling called toward more introspection, more room for breath and the Spirit.  We also feel the collective exhaustion permeating all we do, and have heard it from so many of you, too. With that in mind, we are excited to share that we will be offering Virtual Worship Supply for More Light Sunday this year. We are creating a pre-recorded worship service in full, drawing on themes of introspection, divine rest, surrender, and transformation. The service will include a Minute for Mission which will also be available to download separately for use in congregations seeking to learn more about More Light, or who’d like an update on what we’ve been doing.   To participate, simply sign up for More Light Sunday here. By 5pm on Wednesday, June 23rd, you will receive an email with a link to download a full worship service. Our hope is that, in offering a pre-recorded, downloadable service, we will have More Light congregations all over the country worshipping together, even if not at the same time and place.  The Rev. Annanda Barclay will be our preacher for More Light Sunday, and we will follow up with more details as they crystalize. In deep gratitude for this time of transformation and community, S I G N  U P Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill he/him 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.

Support More Light! Contact Us More Light Presbyterians hello@mlp.org

More Light Sunday Registration Information!

Last week I shared with you my excitement about our upcoming More Light Sunday. I am DELIGHTED to share that registration is now open for both the More Light Sunday Worship Service and the Out of Order Streaming Release Party. We in the LGBTQIA+ community have long dwelt in the liminal spaces of sacred longing and eternal promise. Now more than ever, in this era of global pandemic, the creativity born of this holy tension allows us to share all we’ve learned about worshiping in new ways and being community in all circumstances. I am so excited for this event, and so grateful for this community and for you. Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill he/him Executive Director More Light Presbyterians

Support More Light! Contact Us More Light Presbyterians hello@mlp.org

More Light Sunday!! Your May Newsletter from More Light

As we’ve all been finding a rhythm to this new normal, I’ve been grateful for the ways the events in the world juxtapose the liturgical year. Throughout Lent, it felt like we as a society were traveling on a journey where our finitude was evident everywhere. Many folks didn’t believe it was possible to hold a worship service on Zoom. As we are now midway through the Season of Easter, I keep thinking about those first disciples who took up the mantle of Jesus’ ministry without Jesus. The tension between the “now” and the “not yet” feels more palpable than ever as we strive to lean into the new normal - of our own rhythms, how we engage in community, and how we do church. If there ever were a silver lining to the history of LGBTQIA+ people and the church, it’s that LGBTQIA+ folks have always found creative ways to worship together. For many, finding an online worshipping community offers a safe space to engage with a congregation, to see if their welcome is as abundant as their website claims. I’ve been moved by how sacred it feels to take communion with a community when we can see one another’s faces. I’m reminded daily that even in the midst of the starkest Lenten season, we are always being led to Easter.  I am so excited to share that on June 7 we will celebrate More Light Sunday!  The day’s events will begin at 4pm ET (3pm CT, 2pm MT, 1pm PT) with Worship, where we will all be blessed by the preaching of Rev. Laura Cheifetz and a worship service led entirely by LGBTQIA+ people. At 7pm ET (6pm CT, 5pm MT, 4pm PT) we will host a Streaming Release Party for Out of Order, followed by a panel discussion with the cast and crew of this groundbreaking documentary at 8pm ET (7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT). The Out of Order documentary follows the lives of a group of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians called to ministry as they navigate the ordination process and the delicate work of inclusion beyond policy change. Out of Order offers audiences a glimpse into what it looks like to navigate the reality of gender transition and lived sexual identity as a person of faith.  For the past four years, Out of Order has been traveling around the country in limited preview screenings. With a refreshed update for 2020, the film will now be moving to free streaming availability, while the ability to host public screenings will continue through More Light's website. To celebrate, the Out of Order cast and crew are getting together for a one-time only watch party and panel conversation!  Look for registration information and updates in the following week! 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. Today is #GivingTuesdayNow, an opportunity for people to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal. A gift today will enable More Light to continue to meet the challenges of this moment head-on, to  equip pastoral leaders and congregations as they innovate their worship to adapt to online formats, cultivate unique ways to care for their communities, and maintain a mission of justice with and for LGBTQIA+ folks and other marginalized communities. Your donation ensures we will be able to continue to do this work. We pray our ministry at this time can offer you a moment of respite and reconnection, and space of spiritual nourishment to fuel your well of resilience. In deepest gratitude and abundant hope, Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill he/him/his Executive Director More Light Presbyterians

Support More Light! Contact Us More Light Presbyterians hello@mlp.org