OPEN AND AFFIRMING

God calls us to be fully open and affirming of LGBTQ+ persons. We embrace diversity in race, sexuality, gender, class, immigration status, ability, and age. You are a beloved child of God, full stop!

You are invited, welcomed and affirmed.

We strive to be a community that welcomes and affirms all. In that spirit, on May 21, 2020, the session (governing body) of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church moved, seconded and approved the following statement:

Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make our church a true community of hospitality, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church works for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the life, ministry, and witness of our church and society.

As a congregation we are doing the work of listening and learning so that we can fully live into this affirming statement. We are grateful to be connected to the decades-long legacy of inclusion through our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), which has had a longstanding record of commitment to advocacy for equal rights in church and society for all sexual orientations and gender identities. PC(USA) approved the ordination of openly LGBTQ ministers in 2010. You can read more on PC(USA)'s affirming policies.

As part of our Queer-led worship service on June 11, 2023, this apology to the Queer community was shared:

To our Queer Community,

 

As a church, we only recently “came out” as an affirming church in May of 2020. We admit that for too many years we worried that some members might leave if we took a stand to become open and affirming. We confess to being led by fear instead of being led by the love that Jesus so clearly modeled in the gospels. And we acknowledge that we prioritized staying neutral and silent instead of proudly welcoming, affirming, and celebrating our Queer siblings in Christ.  For all of this, we are deeply sorry.

 

To our Queer members, friends, and visitors, please hear this. We are a more beautiful church because of your presence. We are grateful that you have chosen to worship with us and to be a part of our community. And we acknowledge that it took us far too long to openly say this out loud.

More Light Presbyterians

On January 19, 2021, our session voted unanimously to join More Light Presbyterians (MLP). MLP’s mission is to empower and equip individuals and congregations to support and affirm the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families in all aspects of church, including leadership.

Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church voted in May of 2020 to be an open and affirming church for all LGBTQ+ folks! With the help of More Light Presbyterians, we are on the path of doing the work of educating our congregation and helping those who are still wrestling with the theologies they were raised on. In January 2021, our session voted to become a More Light Church so that we might seek their guidance and wisdom as we do our best to live out our new call of being an affirming church. We want all of Sunnyvale and the surrounding communities to know that ALL are invited, welcomed AND affirmed for exactly who they are!

Affirming Groups at Sunnyvale Pres

Family and Friends of LGBTQ+ Group

Queer Fellowship Group

Resources

Sunnyvale Pres Pride T-shirts

Shirts are a sky blue color with the church logo in Pride colors.

You can still get a Sunnyvale Pres Pride t-shirt! There are limited sizes available. If you'd like a shirt, please contact Carol.