MLP Strategy

More Light Presbyterians

First More Light Presbyterian Church in South Carolina

More Light Presbyterians announced this step forward for an inclusive church on March 11, 2005.
[Posted here 4-13-05]

The pastor of the church, the Rev. Jake Young, is currently serving as the Vice President of the Witherspoon Society.

Last week the Session of the North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian, of Anderson, S.C. voted unanimously to become affiliated and identified as a More Light Presbyterian Church. NACCP is making history as the first More Light Church in South Carolina!

This past Sunday was the installation of their new pastor, Reverend Jake Young, in addition to their first celebration of being a More Light Church. The Reverend Erin Swenson, Co-Moderator, National MLP, spoke at and represented MLP at worship, Jake's installation, and the celebration.

The following statement of welcome to North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian is from Donna Riley and Erin Swenson, Co-Moderators and the National MLP Board of Directors:

Please know of our heartfelt congratulations in your recent decision to affiliate, identify, minister and witness as a More Light Presbyterian Church. Your thoughtful discernment and study process has been respectful of your church leadership and congregation. We thank the Session for its faithful dialogue and decision to identify as a More Light Church.

You are making history as the first More Light Presbyterian Church in the state of South Carolina! Indeed, you will inspire other churches. You have been known for many years as an open and welcoming congregation. And, now you join with other More Light Churches in the South and around the country in the commitment to work for change, to remove the barriers to the full embrace and service of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Welcome to this remarkable national network of churches committed to living into and making this change possible within our denomination. We celebrate with you on the installation of your fine, new pastor, Jake Young, on March 6, in addition to your decision to affiliate and identify as a More Light Church. These are causes for celebration, indeed, and celebrate you and with you. Together we are building a Church for All God's People.

North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian describes itself in the following ways:

ALL ARE WELCOME regardless of race, sexual orientation, ethnicity or any other characteristic. All are welcome.

What we are about:

Progressive Christian Theology

Caring about each other and our community

Inclusiveness

We are working toward:

Loving and respecting all God’s children

Social Justice

Sharing God’s resources

More Light Presbyterians announces "Victory 2006" campaign

MLP to train dozens of Presbytery organizers, promote creation of local chapters, encourage fair and non-hostile dialogue on LGBT concerns

Media Release by MLP, September 29, 2004 [9-30-04]

The board of directors of More Light Presbyterians (MLP) today announced a broad-based strategic plan for victory on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) concerns within the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA). The plan seeks victory for the Gospel, victory for the Church, and a legislative victory for LGBT equality at the next Presbyterian General Assembly in 2006 and throughout the Presbytery overture voting cycle in 2006-2007.

As part of this multi-year campaign for victory, More Light Presbyterians will:

	Recruit and train a national network of Presbytery organizers and deputy field organizers, who will work with grass-roots supporters to bring dialogue on LGBT concerns directly to the presbyteries.
	Promote the creation of additional More Light Presbyterians chapters, strengthen existing chapters, and provide resources to all chapters.
	Organize a series of 2005 More Light regional conferences to offer support, networking opportunities, resources, training, and spiritual nurture to grass roots supporters of justice for LGBT people.
	Promote the peace, purity, and unity of the Church by encouraging and training MLP supporters in constructive dialogue, witness, and sharing our faith stories.

"For decades, the church has called for prayer, discernment, and dialogue on LGBT issues," noted MLP co-moderator Donna Riley, "yet too often these calls for action have been met with inaction. Today, More Light Presbyterians has rolled out an action plan designed precisely to meet these calls. We're not going to wait for our sisters and brothers in this denomination to come talk to us -- instead, we're coming to talk to them."

"The Victory 2006 campaign seeks victory for the entire Church," remarked co-moderator Erin Swenson. "The PCUSA's institutionalized discrimination against LGBT people has caused decades of unnecessary suffering and cost our denomination some of its finest leaders. It's time to put an end to the anti-gay provisions of the Book of Order once and for all, and declare victory over the affliction of G6.0106b."

"I'm pleased and excited to be a part of this multi-year initiative," commented MLP Field Organizer Michael Adee. "It's a great opportunity for Presbyterians everywhere to get involved and make the PCUSA stronger by strengthening the denomination's commitment to equality. I look forward to working with our More Light chapters, both new and established, and with a broad group of Presbytery organizers as we all seek victory in 2006."

About More Light Presbyterians: More Light Presbyterians, the oldest gay rights group in the 2.5-million member Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), works for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the PCUSA