Lesbian & Gay Outreach

Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church is a welcoming congregation.  With more than 40 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons participating in the life of this congregation, Seigle is one of a handful of churches locally who openly welcome and affirm sexual minorities.  This congregation has participated in the following local ministries to further its support:

More Light Presbyterians - Charlotte, NC

Contact: Steve Drinkard

Seigle Avenue Presbyterian has participated in and played host to the Charlotte area chapter of More Light Presbyterians - "a Christian ministry of advocacy, outreach, support, and worship within the Presbyterian Church (USA) for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight people of faith!"

The Charlotte are chapter of More Light Presbyterians will provide LGBT persons, church leaders, non-churched persons, Presbyterians, and other Christians with:

• ADVOCACY by regularly distributing news and information regarding the LGBT Christian experience (presented in a format for all persons - affirming and non-affirming) to all churches in our region. We seek to form a MLP Charlotte speakers bureau and resource network.

• OUTREACH by connecting with LGBT persons who have been disenfranchised from the church, to help them recognize and find healing among the affirming Christian community. We will make use of news services, business cards, individual mailings, a newsletter, and most importantly, personal forms of contact (each one reach one).

• SUPPORT by providing a regular forum for individual sharing to take place in small groups (6 to 8 people). We intend to use guided discussion on important issues by church leaders, parents, LGBT persons, and others in diversely mixed groups.

• WORSHIP by providing a periodic community-wide worship with broad outreach to the ecumenical church and the LGBT community at-large. Worship elements will be included in monthly meetings in the form of opening devotionals, prayers and a time of sharing concerns to be included in a closing prayer. We also intend to provide local congregations with resources for meaningful and inclusive worship.

MLP Charlotte intends to enhance its ministry by making use of other Christian, LGBT, and Social Services resources.

Witness Our Welcome - Charlotte, NC

Contact:  John Mayes - wowcharlotte@yahoo.com 

More Light Presbyterians is part of Witness Our Welcome (WOW) Charlotte - "A network of welcoming Communities of Faith, organizations, and individuals in the greater Charlotte NC area ministering among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons and to all who are called to a life of faith.  Witness Our Welcome Charlotte takes on the heart of the mission of the Welcoming Faith Movement ... seeking to create diverse, inclusive, safe, and nurturing communities of faith for all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.  Welcome to All!"