More Light Presbyterians is a nationwide network of Presbyterian congregations with a mission to center and celebrate the lives, gifts, and leadership of LGBTQIA+ people in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and beyond. CPC became a More Light Presbyterians congregation in April of 2025.
What we are doing
Becoming a More Light congregation is not simply a test passed, but an ongoing commitment from CPC to continue to enable the lives, love, and faith of those in the LGBTQIA+ community to flourish. We are currently working to:
- Create a More Light ministry team that reports directly to the CPC Session (in progress).
- Provide continued opportunities to learn more through resources on our website (see below), Bible studies, and other gatherings.
- Establish a support group for parents and families who know and love someone in the queer community (coming summer or fall 2025).
- Establish a support group for siblings and friends of those in the queer community (coming summer or fall 2025).
- Update our signage and publications to mark our identity as a More Light congregation.
- Install signage identifying our existing single stall bathrooms.
- Partner with local agencies seeking to be allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.
RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE
Read Online
What the Bible Says
LGBTQIA+ & PCUSA Timeline
How the PCUSA has engaged with LGBTQIA+ inclusion since 1970.
Sexuality and Same-Gender Relationships
A summary of current PCUSA Standards from the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
An Ally's Guide to Terminology
A useful guide for talking about the LGBTQIA+ community and LGBTQIA+ issues.
After Their Son Came Out...
A thoughtful article from CNN about a conservative Christian couple's journey after their son came out as gay.
How the PCUSA has engaged with LGBTQIA+ inclusion since 1970.
Sexuality and Same-Gender Relationships
A summary of current PCUSA Standards from the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
An Ally's Guide to Terminology
A useful guide for talking about the LGBTQIA+ community and LGBTQIA+ issues.
After Their Son Came Out...
A thoughtful article from CNN about a conservative Christian couple's journey after their son came out as gay.
Books from our CPC Library
Ready for a longer read? Check out these books supportive of LGBTQIA+ Christians available in our CPC Library.
The Clobber Verses
A summary explaining how to better understand six of the Bible passages most commonly misinterpreted to hurt and marginalize LGBTQIA+ people.
UnClobber Cheat Sheets
Download a cheat sheet for each of the most commonly misused clobber verses, based on the book UnClobber, by Colby Martin.
A summary explaining how to better understand six of the Bible passages most commonly misinterpreted to hurt and marginalize LGBTQIA+ people.
UnClobber Cheat Sheets
Download a cheat sheet for each of the most commonly misused clobber verses, based on the book UnClobber, by Colby Martin.
Watch
Internal Welcome, External Witness
A video with Ross Murray, an ordained Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with a calling to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and to bridge the LGBTQIA+ and faith communities.
Out of Order
A documentary directed by Amanda Bluglass and produced by Aden Hakimi, featuring the stories and struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Presbyterians.
A video with Ross Murray, an ordained Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with a calling to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and to bridge the LGBTQIA+ and faith communities.
Out of Order
A documentary directed by Amanda Bluglass and produced by Aden Hakimi, featuring the stories and struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Presbyterians.
Where we've been
In March 2024, Cary Presbyterian Church formed a task force charged with exploring the possibility of CPC becoming a More Light Presbyterian Church.
The More Light Task force sponsored a series of six programs in the Fall of 2024, then issued an update report summarizing those activities. It recommended:
The More Light Task Force presented their report at the April 2025 CPC Session meeting, after which the Session voted unanimously to become a More Light Presbyterian congregation.
The More Light Task force sponsored a series of six programs in the Fall of 2024, then issued an update report summarizing those activities. It recommended:
- A Bible study series based on Rev. Colby Martin's book, UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality.
- A Lunch & Learn program to review our More Light Presbyterians discernment process to date.
- A final report including recommendations for further action.
The More Light Task Force presented their report at the April 2025 CPC Session meeting, after which the Session voted unanimously to become a More Light Presbyterian congregation.