Update
VOL. 31, NO. 1
Presbyterians Making a Difference…Imagination to Reality
By Michael Adee
G race and peace to you and those
you love. Presbyterians are
known for our long tradition of social
justice and civic involvement. As
Presbyterians we understand that
our call to ministry goes beyond the
walls of our church buildings. We are
people of faith who seek to
make a difference.
The national conversa-
tion about the direction
of our country and the
number of challenges we
face as a nation and as
part of a global communi-
ty certainly has our atten-
tion. We are also keenly
aware of the voting that
has begun on the 219th
General Assembly’s Ordi-
nation Amendment 10-A.
Amendment 10-A offers our Church
a clear path to ending the discrimi-
nation against LGBT persons and
the resulting sanction of anti-LGBT
prejudice and violence in our society
and across the world.
More Light Presbyterians is pas-
sionately committed to spiritual,
ordination and marriage equality for
all Presbyterians. The 219th General
Assembly’s Ordination Amendment
10-A offers our Church one ordina-
tion standard for all. 10-A returns
our Church to what matters most
in our life and service together as
Presbyterians: faith, character and a
call from God to serve.
10-A will end categorical discrimina-
tion based upon marital status, gen-
der, sexual orientation or any other
human condition. We have lost way
too many qualified and gifted LGBT
WWW.MLP.ORG JANUARY 2011
and heterosexual persons from serv- and voted on in all 173 presbyter-
ing as Elders, Deacons or Ministers ies. Ratification of Amendment
of the Word and Sacrament in our 10-A requires a simple majority
local congregations and within our vote. Please find out now when your
denomination because of the preju- presbytery is studying and voting on
dice and barriers of the “fidelity in 10-A. Every presbytery matters. We
marriage, chastity have resources, training events and
in singleness” re- a national outreach campaign to sup-
quirement placed port you and your work within your
into our Book of local church and presbytery to pass
Order in 1997. 10-A. Throughout this More Light
This barrier to Update you will find resources and
ordination connections to support the work in
your presbytery.
Imagine a Church that keeps its
promises to all of the children it
baptizes, not just some. Imagine a
Church that celebrates the presence
and gifts of LGBT persons and trusts
God’s call for them to serve. Imagine
a Church having thousands more
deacons, elders and ministers to care
for a hurting world.
This is the third time an ordination
amendment has been sent to the
presbyteries for ratification. We
were so close the last
time. We can move
from imagination to
reality this time by do-
ing everything possible
to get Amendment 10-A
has done considered, thoughtfully
nothing but: hurt discussed, and ratified.
our church, di- 2011 can be the realiza-
minish our abil- tion of the Church we
ity to minister imagine and the world
in our commu- needs now.
nities and hinder our
Dr. Michael Adee is Execu-
witness to the Gospel in the world.
tive Director and Field Organizer for
The 219th General Assembly’s More Light Presbyterians.
Ordination Amendment 10-A will
be studied, prayerfully considered Photos of children at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian
Church in Cincinnati, OH by LW Bernardino.
More Light Update, January 2011 | 1
Making It Better
By Michael Adee
I grew up in southern Louisiana. I
cannot imagine coming out as gay
in high school or even at LSU. Back
then, LGBT children and youth try-
ing to find their way were met with
either silence or hostility. Thank
God some are met with love. Times
have changed some, but not enough
and not everywhere. Every child or
young person should be met by love
in their families and churches.
Too many LGBT, queer or question-
ing youth find it difficult to imag-
ine happiness, finding love, being
part of a family as adults. It is not
because of their sexual orientation
or gender identity. These difficulties
are a direct result of the
silence or hostility within
their schools, families and
churches.
Our hearts break as we
read one more teen after
another bullied into suicide.
Part of this problem is the
legacy of 30 years of the Pres-
byterian Church’s teaching
and policy that homosexuality
was sinful, not part of God’s
design and disqualified LGBT
persons from full membership
and service as deacons, elders
and ministers. We give thanks to
God that the 218th General As-
sembly removed that 1978 anti-gay
policy.
Sadly, this anti-gay teaching has
had effect within and beyond our
Church. It has caused LGBT youth
to doubt they are children of God
that God loves them, too; and it has
taught generations of bullies that
LGBT youth are not human beings
worthy of respect. Everyone loses
when the Church persists in anti-
gay teaching or continues to debate
the place of LGBT persons within
itself or in society. These things com-
bine to become a wake up call and a
rallying cry for action for thoughtful
Christians.
More Light Presbyterians is commit-
ted to creating safe schools, accept-
2 | More Light Update, January 2011
ing families and affirming churches
in our country and all around the
world. We want all youth, LGBT or
heterosexual, to know that they are
children of God, created in the image
of God and unconditionally loved by
God. Then they will know that they
do have a future and that things will
get better.
Many of us have survived the
silence, the hostility, the isolation
of feeling different and the painful
sting of prejudice and discrimination
simply for being as God made us.
So, let’s share
our stories so that LGBT youth
and the whole world will know that
being gay or LGBT is a gift from
God. And, there is a future waiting
for every young person, no matter
the human and God-given difference.
ItGetsBetterProject.com, a project
sponsored by the Trevor Project
and GLSEN, is a place where young
people who are lesbian, gay, bisexu-
al, transgender, queer or question-
ing can see with their own eyes how
love and happiness can be a reality
in their future. It’s a place where
LGBT adults can share the stories
of their lives and straight allies can
add their names in solidarity. We
can help spread this message of
hope. I am grateful for hundreds of
“It Gets Better” video messages that
offer hope to LGBT and questioning
youth. We are posting many of these
videos on our Youtube page.
I feel a sacred responsibility and call
to make it better for youth and their
families now, and for the genera-
tions to follow. Thank God it does get
better for some; and I want to part of
making it better for all youth now.
I believe this is a kairos moment.
The 219th General Assembly has
given us a wonderful way to make it
better with Ordination Amendment
10-A. Amendment 10-A offers our
Church one ordination stan-
dard for all Presbyterians.
Categorical discrimination
against LGBT persons will
be removed by 10-A. We
will be able to offer a good,
healing and life-saving
word to LGBT children,
youth and their families
with the ratification of
10-A.
We need to teach the
truth of God’s good
creation of all children
and youth, not just
the straight ones. If
it were possible, I would
love to go back in time and tell the
12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year
old Michael that God made him too.
I am grateful to have learned this at
Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church,
Cincinnati, as an adult. Mount
Auburn, a welcoming and affirming
More Light Presbyterian church,
is the church that loved me back to
faith. They made it better for me.
So, the mantra that guides my heart
and work these days is this: “safe
schools, accepting families, affirm-
ing churches.” Passing 10-A will go a
long way to making these possible.
Let’s Make It Better for all youth
and their families now.
Dr. Michael Adee is Executive Direc-
tor and Field Organizer for More
Light Presbyterians.
Photo of Michael Adee with Molly & Libby,
Rainbow Pride Dogs by LW Bernardino.
Don’t Sit Back, Take an Active Role! F ollowing the risen Christ, and
seeking to make the Church a
true community of hospitality, the
By Marc Jung mission of More Light Presbyte-

A s MLP’s new Communications Team leader, I would like to take a rians is to work for the full par-
moment to discuss the many ways that we can all participate in our ticipation of lesbian, gay, bisexual
denomination’s government. This is especially important during the voting and transgender people of faith in
process for Amendment 10-A. Of course, one of the first steps everyone is the life, ministry and witness of
likely to mention is the need for all minister and elder commissioners to vote the Presbyterian Church (USA).
at Presbytery meetings. Every vote does indeed count and there have been
instances where the vote count has been a tie, which counts as an amend-
ment not passing. Since elder commissioners are normally appointed by BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Session, be sure that your Session is sending enough Elders to exercise all of
your church’s Elder Commissioner votes. Co-Moderators
Janet Edwards (2013)
In addition, we want to encourage the minister and elder commissioners
Trice Gibbons (2012)
to speak on the floor of their presbytery meeting, before any vote is taken.
There may be time limitations, or a limit on the number of commissioners
that will be allowed to speak from the floor, so pay attention at the meeting! Secretary/Treasurer
Try to facilitate discussion from the floor before a vote, as it will be much Ray Bagnuolo (2012)
more helpful to have the opportunity to listen to others rather than rushing
directly to voting. It is preferable not to repeat what others have already said Additional Board Members
just minutes ago. Try to offer something new, and suggest that commission- Ralph Carter (2011)
ers carefully read again the amendment being voted on. Jed Dews-Alexander (2013)
Even before meeting day, there are many steps that one may consider taking Patrick Evans (2013)
in advance of a vote. Many Presbyteries will be voting on Amendment 10-A Jeananne Stine (2013)
in spring 2011, yet during the winter months, many Presbytery Nominating Madeline Jervis (2013)
Committees are trying to fill vacancies on a number of Presbytery Commit- Marc Jung (2013)
tees. Be open to being nominated to a committee. For example, there may Rev. Heidi Peterson (2011)
be a committee that arranges the Presbytery meeting venue. By serving on John Thompson (2012)
such a committee, one can help plan for the vote to be held at a convenient Beth Van Sickle (2011)
and neutral meeting location. Another committee to consider is the commit-
tee that processes and presents the various overtures and amendments to Nominating Committee At-
the Book of Order, including Amendment 10-A. The Nominating Commit- Large
tee may have vacancies and what better way to have a role in nominating Derrick Kikuchi
ministers and elders to committees that may have an effect on the handling
of various overtures and amendments! Our polity allows both ministers and STAFF
elders to participate, so don’t miss out!
Marc Jung is an MLP Board Member and chairs the Communication Team. Dr. Michael J. Adee,
Executive Director and Field Or-
ganizer

Faye Burdick
More Light Update Editor

Antony Hebblethwaite,
Communications/Technology
Manager

Susan Robertson,
Financial Assistant

CONTACT MLP

Full contact information for MLP

Board Members and Staff is avail-
able online at http://www.mlp.org/
Rev. Debra Peevey, MLP’s 10-A Campaign Director calling Christians index.php?topic=aboutmlp.
to action at Believe Out Loud. Photo by Richard W. Garnett.

More Light Update, January 2011 | 3

Telling Your Faith Story
T he questions of what am I called
to, what my community is called
to do, and what we are called to do
now are at least as old as Moses’
conversation with God at the burn-
through the language of the
heart, our emotions.
life experiences by telling our
personal stories about the chal-
lenges of living in a denomina-
• Stories foster relationships. They
tion where LGBT persons are ex-
engage others and create an
cluded, the choices

ing bush. “Why me?” Asks Moses,
when he is called to free his people.
And, “who is calling me?” And, “why
these people? Why here, now, in this
place?”
We are here to answer those ques-
tions for the Amendment 10-A
campaign.
Why do we need to tell
our stories?
• Stories not only teach us how to
act - they inspire us to act.
• Stories communicate our values
E
empathetic link
we have made in
between the motions are the response and what
storyteller and
the listener.
language of values. we have learned
from the outcomes.
• Our feelings, Marshall Ganz Such sharing will
our hopes, hopefully inspire
our cares, our others to join in our
obligations – not simply what local work for full inclusion of
we know – ultimately inspire us ALL people in our church.
to act with courage. Since our
stories relate our values through Public narrative is the
lived experience and not abstract practice of leadership
debate or argument, they have
Public leaders employ both “head”
the power to move others. and the “heart” in order to mobilize
• We can share the wisdom of our others to act effectively on behalf
of shared values. In other words,
they engage people in interpreting
why they should change their world
– their motivation – and how they
can act to change it – their strategy.
Public narrative is the “why” – the
art of translating values into ac-
tion through stories. It is a process
through which individuals, commu-
nities, and nations construct their
identity, make choices, and inspire
action.

Guidelines for Coaching

Stories

Do:
Stories should... Focus on specifics.
Be under 2 minutes: Good stories are focused and well-organized. Identify CHALLENGE and HOPE.
Remember you are telling the story of one moment in time. Focus on one
challenge, one choice and one outcome. Clarify points of choice.

Be specific-use details: Take the listener to the moment you are describ- Connect the dots in the narrative.
ing. What are the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions of that moment? Look for themes.
Use present tense. Try telling the story without using the word “and.”
Ask ahead about the audience and
Tap into emotion: Stories should pull at the heartstrings of the listener. desired response.
Help the listener understand the values you are describing through the
language of emotion. Don’t

Include a challenge, a choice and an outcome: Make sure these three Offer vague abstract “feel good” com-
points are clear and well articulated. ments.

Offer hope: Stories should be inspirational. End on a positive note. Offer Make value judgments about the
the good news through your story. points made by others.

Communicate values: Stories have a point and that point is a value that Photo of Transgender Picnic at 2008 General
you want to inspire and cultivate in the listener. Conference of The UMC by Antony
Hebblethwaite.
4 | More Light Update, January 2011
Presbyterians Digging In...
By Rev. Debra Peevy
As a Local Church
Hear, hear for the members of the
More Light Committee at Govans
Presbyterian Church, Baltimore!
They as a team have volunteered to
work on the ratification of Amend-
ment 10-A together in their presby-
tery and beyond. Their committee
was formed because they wanted
to be sure that they were living
up to their name as a More Light
Presbyterian Church. “As an adult,
when my pastor opened my eyes to
the discrimina-
tion against
LGBT faithful
in the PCUSA,
I was horri-
fied. I sincerely
considered
leaving, but
decided to stay
and fight. This
discrimination
has to change
for the future
of the Church.”
And thus began Jeananne Stine’s
commitment to form a More Light
Committee at Govans Presbyterian
Church in Baltimore. The commit-
tee members, including Pastor Tom
Harris, have participated in our
Outreach training and are ready to
join in our efforts to build a more
inclusive church. Let’s follow Gov-
ans’ lead. Enlist your group in the
10-A ratification effort and get them
signed up for training.
As a Presbytery
Volunteers from the Presbytery of
Sheppards & Lapsley conducted a
telephone bank to recruit additional
volunteers in a number of Presby-
teries. The phone bank was hosted
by Edgewood Presbyterian Church
in Birmingham, Alabama. About
fifteen volunteers had dinner and
fellowship, followed by about an
hour of training and forty minutes
of telephone
calls, using
telephone lists of
individuals who
have previously
indicated sup-
port to for one
or more of the
Presbyterian
groups working
towards passage
of 10-A. Nearly
three hundred
telephone calls were placed and
from those calls, there were nearly
eighty conversations with individu-
als about the importance of 10-A.
Approximately forty-five volunteers
were recruited in eight additional
Presbyteries. These volunteers were
asked to worked with folks in their
own Presbytery to make telephone
calls and have conversations about
A s an adult, w
my pastor o
my eyes to t
hen
pened
he discrim-
ination aga
inst LGBT
faithful in t
he PCUSA,
I was horrifi
ed.
cerely consid I sin-
ered leav-
ing, but dec
ided to stay
and fight. T
his discrim-
ination has
to change
for the futu
re of the
Church.
Jeananne S
tine
why Amendment 10-A is important
to them and asking for support at
the upcoming meetings. Follow-up
contact will be made with these
volunteers to build teams in the
Presbyteries to continue the 10-A
conversations.
Those making telephone calls ranged
from ages fourteen to seventy, and
everyone present had a reason why
the passage of 10-A was important
to him or her. The telephone bank
proved to be a great tool in recruit-
ing volunteers and building com-
munity among those who support
the passage of 10-A. As the evening
passed, the enthusiasm of those call-
ing continued to grow. The excite-
ment around working on something
so vital to the church filled the room.
Most of us could not believe how
quickly the time for making calls
passed; many wanted to continue
the calls and asked when the next
phone bank could be held. Because
the phone bank proved to be such a
success, we will continue to use this
tool throughout the campaign.
Rev. Debra Peevey is the Outreach
Director for MLP. She is leading the
effort to reach out in and build sup-
port for Amendment 10-A in nearly
half the presbyteries. Join her!
Michael Adee and MLP Board Member Jed
Dews-Alexander make phone calls at Believe
Out Loud. Photos by Richard W. Garnett.
More Light Update, January 2011 | 5
 From a New More
The Witness of Belhar
By Janet Edwards, Ph.D.
Light Church...
First & Central Presbyterian
Two more hurdles remain before the Confession of Belhar becomes the Church in Wilmington, Delaware
twelfth document in the PCUSA The Book of Confessions: It must be ap- is pleased to become a member
proved by two thirds of the 173 presbyteries by June, 2011; then it must be congregation of More Light Pres-
approved by a majority of the 220th General Assembly in 2012. May these byterians. We have a long history
both happen! of work for justice both in our com-
The Belhar comes from the Dutch Reformed Mission Church of South Africa, munity and in the denomination.
which adopted it in 1986, a time of severe apartheid when racial warfare In 1997, we submitted a “Cov-
only threatened to escalate. The Accompanying Letter describes the confes- enant of Dissent” in response to
sion as “a cry from the heart, as something we are obliged to do for the sake the passing of G-6.0106b. In 2010
of the gospel in view of the times in which we stand.” It ended up contribut- we sent an overture to the General
ing to the relatively peaceful rise in the leadership of Nelson Mandela in Assembly urging that same-gender
1994. partners and children of covered
church employees be offered medi-
If the PCUSA is serious about racial and ethnic diversity then the Belhar cal and pension benefits in the
must be added to our Confessions. Adopting the Belhar will signal the ear- same manner as their heterosexu-
nestness of our intent to partner with churches of the global south. It will al counterparts. That overture was
confirm that these commitments represent who we are, what we believe and affirmed by New Castle Presby-
what we resolve to do. tery, passed at General Assembly,
One of the objections to the Belhar, sometimes left unspoken, is that its and will hopefully be implemented
themes are also applicable to the case for LGBT equality in the church. They in 2012.
are, AND this is a good thing because the Belhar will prompt the conversa- While these are bold moves, they
tion we desperately need about where and why we stand on a central justice are not indicative of a drastic shift
concern of this generation. in our direction or practice. We’ve
There are good resources on the Belhar at pcusa.org. The history is sobering. heard from many long-term mem-
Help your presbytery pass the Confession of Belhar so that its cry can stir bers about how “open and welcom-
our hearts as well. ing” First & Central has been for
generations, and that actions such
Rev. Janet Edwards, Ph.D. is co-moderator of the National MLP Board and as the dissent or helping to found
blogger at timetoembrace.com. the Covenant Network were and
are a natural extension of that
trajectory.
Given our history, it seems only
natural for us to affiliate with
More Light Presbyterians. We are
a congregation committed, nearly
from inception, to inclusion, hospi-
tality, and justice. We are commit-
ted to our faith and it is part of our
DNA that it be visible and unam-
biguous. Our ongoing support of
the Covenant Network, and now
this new relationship with More
Light Presbyterians, are ways in
which we continue to live out our
calling to be the body of Christ in
this time and place.
By Douglas D.Gerdts, Pastor and
Signe Clayton Bell.

Pro-LGBT Christians at Believe Out Loud recording “It Get’s Better!”

and “Make It Better” messages. Photo by Richard W. Garnett.

6 | More Light Update, January 2011

 On 10-A: God’s
Greetings from Lutherans Concerned
By Ross Murray Creative Palate
Greetings to my Presbyterian friends! It was a joy to be with you at your Scripture, our theology, liturgy,
General Assembly last summer, even so briefly. I rushed from your National hymns and Book of Order are
Dinner to the beginning of the Lutherans Concerned/North America bien- filled with characterizations of
nial assembly. During our opening session, we learned of the news that God as Creator. I have often
the PCUSA passed policies that open ordination to LGBT individuals. We thought of God the Creator as an
know that you have a long way to go before those policies are ratified. Please Artist. God as an Artist with a
know that all of us at Lutherans Concerned are praying for you through the creative palate. God did not create
ratification process. Policy change in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in one kind of star, tree or flower
America has meant so much to us; we want our ecumenical friends to experi- any more than God would create
ence it as well. one kind of human being. God’s
imagination and therefore, God’s
Even though this road has been a long one, please know that you do not creative palate contains all the
walk alone. You have the love and support of all ecumenical welcoming colors of the rainbow.
church programs, especially Lutherans Concerned. We are committed to
walking with the Presbyterian Church through the journey into full partici- God creates people of different
pation. In October, many Lutherans were able to help out a little by partici- colors, shapes and sizes – all
pating in a phone bank to Presbyterian supporters. Many of our members are children of God. God creates
talked about the rush they felt when gracefully engaging with people who people whose hearts are opposite-
are excited to get the new policy ratified. It reminded us that our work is not gender loving, same-gender loving
in a vacuum. We hope that our policy change in 2009 will lead to Presbyte- and capable of loving without re-
rian policy change in 2011. You have our full support, our prayer, and even gard to gender. God embraces and
our dialing fingers! Now, go and change your church to change the world! delights in the diversity of God’s
own creation. All of us are beloved
Ross Murray is the Deputy Director Lutherans Concerned/North America children of God.
“I don’t think the diversity we’re
experiencing is a problem to be
solved. Diversity is a gift of God,
just as unity is a gift of God,” said
Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding
Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, in the context
of the achievement of ordination
equality in 2009 within the ELCA,
an ecumenical partner with the
PCUSA.
Amendment 10-A is consistent
with our understanding of God
and reflects the nature of God as
Creator.
Our diversity is a gift of God and
10-A will restore our unity as the
gift God is offering to us through
it.
Ross Murray, Vicki Wunsch and Rachel Harvey at Believe Out Loud. Let us celebrate and accept our
Photo by Richard W. Garnett. diversity and unity as gifts from
God.
Lutherans Concerned GA Resolution Dr. Michael Adee is Executive
BE IT RESOLVED that Lutherans Concerned/North America call on the Director and Field Organizer for
Presbyterian Church (USA) to enact policies and practices that enhance the More Light Presbyterians.
full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Read full resolution at:
http://www.ga219.org/2010/07/resolution-from-board-of-lutherans.html

More Light Update, January 2011 | 7

 More Light Presbyterians
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4737 Country Road 101
ORG
PMB 246
US POSTAGE
Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634
PAID
DENVER CO
PERMIT NO. 471

Open your Heart. Transform the Church. Change the World.

M
Open your
ore Light Heart.
Presbyterians was Transform the Church. ings
founded in 1974. We believe
Change
of scripturethe
and theWorld.
Word in the
life of Christ. As a Christian com-

M orepersons
that all Light Presbyterians
founded in
are children of
1974. We
created in the image of God and
that all persons loved
are children
was
believe
God, ful to God’s
munity,
continues to
call. Wethat
we believe
open new
believe
the that
Church
understand-
must seek to live out those under-
God

unconditionally by God.ofWe God, ings of scripture

standings in our and the Word in the
life together.
created in the image of God
believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual and life of Christ. As a Christian com-
unconditionally The achievement ofthat
spiritual, ordina-
and transgenderloved by God.
persons We of
are part More Light Presbyterians
munity, we believe the Church
believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual tion
mustand seekmarriage
to live outequality for per-
those under-
God’s good creation. We believe that 4737 County Road 101, PMB 246
and transgender persons sons of all in
sexual orientations
together. and
the Gospel of Jesus Christare part of
is good More Light Presbyterians
Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634
standings our life
God’s good creation. We believe that gender identities guides our national
news for all persons, no exceptions. 4737 County Road 101, PMB 246 The global
achievement of spiritual, ordina-
the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good For all members, elders, deacons, and outreach. We approach
Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634 tion and marriage equality for per-
Our mission:
news “Following
for all persons, the risen
no exceptions. ministers, friends, churches & ministry from the perspective of
Christ, and seeking to make the For all members, elders, deacons, sons of all sexual orientations
intersectionality by recognizing that and
presbyteries within the Presbyte-
Our mission:
Church a true“Following
community the
of risen
hos- ministers, gender
all forms identities
of prejudiceguides andour national
discrimi-
rian Church friends,
(USA) andchurches &
the world-
Christ,
pitality, the mission of More the
and seeking to make Light presbyteries within the Presbyte- and global outreach. We
nation are unacceptable and harmfulapproach
wide Presbyterian Church.
Church a true is
Presbyterians community
to work forofthe
hos-full rian Church (USA) and the world- ministry
to our lifefrom the perspective
together in the Church of
pitality, the mission of More
participation of lesbian, gay, bisexu-Light For up
wide to the minute
Presbyterian news
Church. intersectionality by
and as one human family. recognizing that
Presbyterians
al and transgender is to work
peopleforofthe full
faith in visit us at: all forms of prejudice and discrimi-
participation of lesbian, gay, bisexu- For up to the minute news We envision,
nation pray and work
are unacceptable and for the
harmful
the life, ministry and witness of the
al and transgender
Presbyterian Church people
(USA).”of faith in www.mlp.org
visit us at: day when God’s realm of
to our life together in the Church
and
love, peace
the life, ministry and witness of the and justice is realized.
as one human We welcome
family.
globalwww.mlp.org
We are incorporated
Presbyterian Churchas a 501(c)3
(USA).” you to join us as we are changing the
mission. We envision, pray and work for the
non-profit religious educational face of Christianity.
We are incorporated
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income support this national
non-profit religious educational
grassroots organization governed by congregations of the Presbyterian and justice is realized. We welcome
global mission.
organization. MLP isand
a Board of Directors a national
served by a Church (USA) who strive to be faith- you to join us as we are changing the
grassroots organization
national staff. We raise 100% governed by
of our We are
ful to individual
God’s call. Wemembers and God
believe that face of Christianity.
a
income to support this national anda
Board of Directors and served by congregations of the Presbyterian
continues to open new understand-
national staff. We raise 100% of our Church (USA) who strive to be faith-
Creating
Creating a
a Church
Church that
that reflects
reflects God’s
God’s heart.
heart.
8 | More Light Update, January
September
2011
2010
 10 Steps to Ratify
Amendment 10-A

Get involved! Help build the Church that reflects

God’s heart, one conversation at a time.
1. Why do you support the ratification of Amendment 10-A? Can you articulate it in five minutes
or less? If you need help, study the resources available on: http://www.amendment10a.org/p/cam-
paign-resources.html or http://www.covnetpres.org/

2. Start close to home. Talk to your friends and family. Not only can they help you hone your
ideas, but you never know who they might know or how they might want to help. Your enthusi-
asm might ignite others to get involved!

3. Talk to your minister and encourage her/him to be involved. MLP is providing powerful bulle-
tin inserts and other resources to help humanize the “issue” of LGBT inclusion. These inserts are
great discussion starters. They are also perfect support for a pastor preaching on 10-A.

4. Encourage discussion about the Amendment in your own congregation. Host a coffee hour,
suggest a Sunday school seminar, and get people thinking. If yours is a More Light Congrega-
tion, take the lead and host a discussion to share your experience and answer questions about
Amendment 10-A for your presbytery.

5. Learn what is happening in your presbytery. When is the amendment coming forward for dis-
cussion and a vote? Plan to attend and organize other supporters to attend with you.

6. If you aren’t an Elder Commissioner for the 10-A vote, talk to other Elder Commissioners. Let
them know why you support 10-A. Encourage them to support it and speak to their support on
the floor of presbytery.

7. Write a letter to the editor of one of the Presbyterian-related publications explaining why you
support Amendment 10-A. Use the resources from the websites above to help you in your expla-
nation.

8. Sign up with MLP to recruit volunteers. debra@mlp.org

9. Sign up with MLP to engage in conversations with voting delegates in targeted presbyteries.
debra@mlp.org.

10. Write your heartfelt experiences as you build the Church and share them with Debra Peevey
at debra@mlp.org. We will select some to put on the web as inspiration to others. Stand up and
be counted when it counts! Pray, listen, share and get involved!
Amendment 10-A and Resources
More Light Presbyterians rejoices in how God’s spirit has moved the 219th General Assembly to heal the divisions
in our church with the passage of the Ordination Overture 10-A. As we enter this period of dialogue and discern-
ment, MLP will be organizing an educational campaign in partnership with friends from across our denomination.
Proposed replacement language for G-6.0106b, approved by 219th GA:
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in
all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240;
G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of
office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and com-
mitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation
(W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the Confessions in applying standards to indi-
vidual candidates.
This amendment restores constitutional language to the standards for ordination. It places its emphasis on the vows
every officer must take as he/she is ordained and/or installed. It rightly places the responsibility for determining
fitness for office on the examining governing body.
The Amendment 10-A campaign has a number of important resources and tools to enable folks from across our
church to participate in activities and events targeted at creating real dialogue, discussion, and discernment. All
resources are located at http://www.amendment10a.org/p/campaign-resources.html.

Resource Examples:
• 219th General Assembly Amendment 10-A Language. Proposed replacement language for G-6.0106b, approved
by 219th GA
• 219th General Assembly Moderator’s FAQ on Ordination. The revisions to G-6.0106b, as approved by the 219th
General Assembly
• 219th General Assembly Overture Advocate Speeches. Overture Advocate Speeches on Amendment 10-A at the
219th. General Assembly
• Amendment 10-A Bulletin Inserts & Placemats
• Vote Yes on Amendment 10-A. Vote Yes on Amendment 10A talking points.
• Answering God’s Call to Serve. MLP’s web postings in connection with the Yes on Amendment 10-A Campaign.
• Profiles in Faith
• Profiles in Faith provides stories and interviews important to the Amendment 10-A Campaign.
• Guidelines for Communal Discernment by Reverend Victoria G. Curtiss with an introduction by Linda Bryant
Valentine and Clifton Kirkpatrick
• Roberts Rules of Order
• Procedures for Presbytery meetings
• Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture + Biblical Authority and Interpretation
• The Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• Discussion of Amendments in Presbytery of Cherokee.
• GA commissioners discussing amendments in the Presbytery of Cherokee.
• Resources for Fostering Community and Dialogue.
• The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church by former Moderator Jack Rogers.
• A Time to Embrace: Same-Gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics by Princeton Theological Semi-
nary Professor William Stacy Johnson.
• Anyone and Everyone (DVD).
• For the Bible Tells Me So (DVD).