Actions to Affirm Mountain Shadows’ LGBTQIA+ Welcoming Embrace —

- 6-30-24 —Pastor Rachel preached from 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27. The sermon was titled “God’s All-Inclusive, Rainbow-Colored, Alphabet of Love.” The Gospel text was part of the Deuteronomistic history explaining God’s law. The sermon told of unbounded and shame-free love and helped provide perspective about the kin-dom of God. God loves everyone; God expects everyone to love each other. Hear the inspiring sermon.
View the steps we took to become part of the Network
Mountain Shadows Presbyterian Church has formally joined with the Covenant Network of Presbyterians as a Covenant Network of Presbyterians congregation. Here are the steps we took to achieve this milestone —
- 8-30-23 — The Session approved a motion for the Mission Ministry Team to pursue Mountain Shadows becoming a More Light Church, joining the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and becoming a Matthew 25 Congregation.
- Publishing articles in both the Saddlebag Notes and Arizona Daily Star newspapers that reference our efforts in addressing equity for LGBTQIA+ people in church and society —
- 1-26-24 — ‘Resilience’ Documents Preventable Experiences in the Saddlebag Notes and AZ Daily Star, page S7
- 2-23-24 — “Love Without Limits” in the Saddlebag Notes and AZ Daily Star, page S7
- 3-10-24 — Invited a representative of the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians (Rev. Dr. Alex Hendrickson (she/her)) to be a guest preacher during a regularly scheduled 10:00 AM worship service. See the March 10 YouTube recording of the service that includes the guest sermon.
- 3-10-24 — Hosted a congregational presentation to engage, educate, and equip us to expand our welcome of LGBTQIA+ people following worship and fellowship. In the question and answer forum, the congregation actively interacted with Rev. Dr. Alex Hendrickson (she/her). The following handouts were made available —
- 3-fold flier
- The Gender Unicorn — LGBTQIA+ 101
- “Why Pronoun Pins?
- Well-Chosen Words! — includes information on “choose words that include…,” “avoid words that exclude…,” and definitions for gender, identity, and sexuality terms.
- 3-20-24 — The Session voted unanimously for Mountain Shadows to join the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
- 3-21-24 — Mountain Shadows updated its monthly advertisement in the Saddlebag Notes and Arizona Daily Star to include logos and statements about both Matthew 25 and Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
- 3-24-24 — Pastor Rachel Srubas announced to the congregation during worship that the Session had approved the joining of Mountain Shadows as a Covenant Network of Presbyterians congregation; the congregation responded with applause.