May 13; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 4, 2000

June 10; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 24-July 1

July 8; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

August 3-6

August 12; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

September 9; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

October 14; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

November 11; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

December 2; 5:30 PM, Place TBA

Please let us know if you are aware of any legislation currently pending in the State of California that would be of interest to More Light chapter members.

Unity in Diversity Conference

Some progress is being made with the Unity in Diversity Conference, which will probably be held in 2001. We will report more details when we have them. You can view the conference materials online at http://horeb.pcusa.org/oga/diversity/. You can also order the hardcopy version for free at the same URL.

New SJM Moderator

Linda Malcor has been named as moderator of the Social Justice Ministries Committee for Los Ranchos Presbytery.

Local Chapter News

We are thinking about starting the Claiming the Promise bible study in conjunction with our regular meetings sometime after General Assembly.

If you signed up to help with Shower of Stoles for GA, Linda Malcor hopes to be in touch with you soon with a schedule.

If you have ideas for events that you would like to see us sponsor, please let us know!

Articles or opinion pieces written by group members are welcome. Please e-mail, send on disk, or hand write your article and get it to Linda Malcor.

The Issue of Loyalty

By Gene Huff

A question that points toward becoming a dangerous and unfortunate tendency in the church has emerged in the wake of the recent struggles concerning the Woman of Faith Awards. Simply stated it is, "Is it possible to be a good Presbyterian--some might say a true Presbyterian--while expressing disagreement with the current policies of the church to say nothing of also working to change them?" In the debates over ordination standards it is not unusual to hear the view that since the church has spoken on the issue only a disloyal Presbyterian would still seek policy changes. It also appears that persons on the staff of General Assembly agencies are now precluded from being able even to encourage certain changes to say nothing of working to achieve them. As one who worked for twenty five years on the staffs of two Assembly agencies and three presbyteries, I can attest that such a restriction is a radical departure from long time understandings in the Presbyterian Church. To insist that a Presbyterian not in full agreement with all aspects of church polity or policy should be considered disloyal is a far, far cry from our heritage as a folk of the reformed tradition. What does the word reformed mean if it does not imply that we are always open to the changes God inspires?

How easy it is to forget how we got our present policies and polity? Many of them are the result of good and true Presbyterians having worked to change what had in many cases long been held as essential. The obvious examples are the changes in the early 30s and the mid 50s which finally allowed the ordination of women, first as elders and deacons and eventually as ministers. Were those who worked long and hard to achieve those constitutional changes maligned at the time by having their loyalty to the church questioned. I do not think so. Of course some opponents accused them of being mistaken or unwise in their desire to see ordination opened to women, and what finally prevailed on women’s ordination was indeed defeated a number of times. But in those earlier perhaps less brittle days there was room for disagreements to be worked on and worked out over time without those seeking changes being written off and practically written out of favor or even respect in the church.

Our church of course is continually in a state of change. These days amendments to the Book of Order are proposed annually. Often they emerge because a presbytery becomes convinced that a current policy is unwise and ought to be changed in a particular way. For the most part those seeking such policy changes do not have their loyalty questioned. It is widely recognized that this is one of the ways we Presbyterians manage our life together. Yet in the struggle over ordination standards, the traditionally open climate appears to change, as staff, clergy and church members are considered by some as being disloyal if they seek to change policy which has only been on the books since 1978 or 1997.

As the struggle over ordination standards continues--and it no doubt will until a Spirit-inspired breakthrough finally comes--both sides in the debate should refrain from suggesting that those on the other side are not true Presbyterians. Staffers have long demonstrated the ability to perform the tasks they have been called to while remaining free to express their personal views responsibly even on controversial issues. Being in complete agreement with every policy of the church has never been a loyalty test for those of Reformed belief and practice. Loyalty to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, has always been sufficient. Lets let it remain so!

News about WOW from Michael Adee

Registration materials are now available for "Witness Our Welcome 2000: God's Promise is for You", the historic, first-ever ecumenical gathering of Welcoming Churches and their allies from the USA and Canada, August 3-6, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL (outside of Chicago).

Join MLP and other national welcoming organizations from UCC, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Disciples, etc. for this "once in a lifetime" conference. MLP will hold its annual national conference in conjunction with WOW 2000. MLP is one of the sponsoring national organizations of WOW 2000 and we have been part of the planning team.

The Conference will include worship, workshops, bible studies, a special youth program, music/drama, recreation, concerts, banquet and dance, etc. This will be a time of celebration, solidarity, friendship, spiritual encouragement, learning, reflection, and inspiration.

Speakers/leaders include: Carter Heyward, Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Janie Spahr, Chris Glaser, Walter Wink, Jimmy Creech, Mel White, Melanie Morrison, and many more.

The Conference begins at 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 3, and ends with lunch on Sunday, August 6.

MLP will have a special hospitality room, a booth, and hold its annual national meeting during the time set aside for denominational gatherings. All MLP members and friends are welcome to join us for our annual meeting.

For more information on WOW 2000, to register, etc. call 800-318-5581, go to the website www.wow2k.org or e-mail, WOW2000Conf@aol.com.

Note: Early registration is discounted - by May 5 @$170, May 6-July 7 @$190, and after July 7 @$210.

Youth/Student/Low Income rates are $100 by May 5, $120 by July 7, and then $140. Children (12 and under) is $50.

WOW 2000 is absolutely a "don't miss" opportunity - register today!

Save these dates - August 3-6, plan now to be there, organize a group from your church, seminary, presbytery, etc. Encourage your church to create scholarships to send GLBT youth to this Conference.

Your More Light Presbyterians Board of Directors is offering 10 $100 scholarships to Presbyterian Seminary Students and 10 $100 scholarships to MLP adult and youth members involved in their local MLP Chapter or church - to make it possible for these 20 people to participate in the WOW 2000 Conference, August 3-6, NIU, Dekalb, IL.

Witness Our Welcome 2000 is the historic, ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches from the USA and Canada. Check out the website at www.wow2k.org for more information and to register for the conference, or call 800-318-5581, or by e-mail at WOW2000Conf@aol.com.

To apply for one of the 20 $100 MLP Scholarships to attend WOW 2000 (10 to Presbyterian Seminary students and 10 to adults/youth active in local MLP chapters or churches), send a brief letter of application to Michael J. Adee, MLP National Field Organizer. You can use email - MichaelAdee@aol.com or regular mail to his attention at 369 Montezuma Avenue #447, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

To receive the $100 scholarship payment one must be registered for WOW 2000.

Review of scholarship application letters will begin on May 1, 2000 and will be completed when the 20 qualified persons are accepted for scholarship.

Please print out this email and share this information with your friends, church, MLP Chapter, Seminary Chapter, etc. since not everyone has access to email or is on-line.

Note that there are early registration discounts for WOW 2000:

• Adult - $170 by May 5; $190 May 6-July 7, $210 after July 7.
• Youth/Student/Low Income - $100 by May 5; $120 May 6-July 7; $140 after July 7.
• Child (12 and under) $50.

Conference registration includes full program and all meals.

Housing on campus is $25/night double room with common bath; $40/night double room with semi-private bath; and $40/night single room with common bath.

Airport Shuttles from/to Chicago Airports on Thursday, 8/3 and on Sunday afternoon, 8/6 are $5.00 each way.

Should you be a Seminary Student or local MLP member needing and desiring financial assistance to attend WOW 2000, apply for a MLP Scholarship today!

If you have any questions about the scholarships, about WOW, MLP at WOW, call me at 505-820-7082 or contact me by e-mail, MichaelAdee@aol.com.

Chapter Contact Person

Linda A. Malcor
P.O. Box 749
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
(949) 425-9979
Legend@malcor.com

Chapter Website