More Light Ministry at TPPC

At Takoma Park Presbyterian Church we are working to welcome all in our community of faith, including our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered members. To this end, we have become a "More Light" congregation, one which not only includes members of all sexual orientations, but also ordains them to be deacons, elders and pastors. We have also adopted an addendum to our More Light Statement to allow gay and lesbian members to be united by the church in covenantal unions.

Fundraiser for Thy Will Be Done on March 14

THE OPEN DOORS CHAPTER OF MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS Invites you to a SNEAK PREVIEW and FUNDRAISER for THY WILL BE DONE a film that follows Male-to-Female Transsexual Sara Herwig in her path to ordination in the Presbyterian Church. The event will be held at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church on Sunday March 14, 2010 from 4 to 6 p.m.

There will be a post-film discussion of how the church can welcome transgender people by Alice Bouvrie, film producer; SaVanna Wanzer, Whitman-Walker Clinic board member and member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Chuck Booker-Hirsch, pastor of Bethesda Presbyterian Church and former national board member of More Light Presbyterians.

The film looks at Sara's personal journey and how Sara and her supporters contend with efforts to block her candidacy by challenging her legitimacy as a female and contesting her same-sex relationship with a woman.

GLBT Faith & Inspiration

Looking for a way to deepen your faith and prayer? Thirsting to read the scriptures in a life-giving way? Each week, the Human Rights Campaign offers an inspirational commentary on the Bible passages used in church for the Sunday sermon. Please join Pastor Greiner in reading these devotions each week at www.hrc.org/scripture. Anyone interested in a Bible study together please speak with Pastor Greiner at 301-270-5550.

Covenant of Dissent

The following are excerpts from the Covenant of Dissent written in objection to "Amendment B", the "chastity and fidelity amendment" to the Book of Order, signed by the Session of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and sent to General Assembly, PCUSA.

"In obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, guided by the scriptures and the legacy left to us . . . we have determined we cannot agree to abide by the recently passed amendment . . . without violating our informed conscience (and) faith..." "We covenant together to elect, ordain, and install. . . officers. . . with suitable gifts. . . , persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship and love of Jesus Christ. . . , without additional requirements or restrictions."

On August 3, 2000, the Session of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church released a statement concerning actions taken in the 2000 meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

More Light Presbyterians (MLP)

Takoma Park Presbyterian Church is a member of More Light Presbyterians (MLP) -- including the national organization and the National Capital Chapter. The mission statement of MLP is:

"Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."

Archive of Past Articles

Here is a list of articles that have appeared on this website that may be of interest:

	Select this link to access the MLP WWW site.
	Gaychurch.org is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay Christian community and to the friends of our community.