First Presbyterian, Morgantown is the second church in the PWV (behind Spencer) and the third in all of West Virginia (including Shepherdstown) to become a More Light Church.
More Light Presbyterians, organized as a non-profit in 1992, declared there was “more light to shine forth on the scriptures” regarding the position of LGBTQ people serving in leadership positions in the PC(USA). Its mission has always been to empower and equip individuals and congregations to live into their welcome for LGBTQIA+ people.
More Light has developed interrelated programs to move congregations along a pathway towards full inclusion, improve ministry services for LGBTQIA+ individuals in need, and expand the faith-based movement opposing discriminatory legislation. Their programs help congregations and members build their capacity and develop new skills to deepen their welcome to LGBTQIA+ people within their churches and in their wider communities.
MLP’s logo (pictured) reflects its mission and incorporates the communion elements of bread and wine, as well as rainbow colors evocative of stained-glass church windows. These elements express the hospitality of Christ, and of the welcoming church movement, and the theology and practice of the open table. We are called together as many grains that form one bread. We share one cup.