 Hello Harmony members and friends -
It's time to begin thinking about fall elections! The following elected seats are being vacated on December 31 following a two-year term:
Please view bylaws for full board descriptions. Are you interested in serving as a member of the Board of Directors? APPLY TO JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS You must be a current dues-paying member of Harmony in order to run for office. If you are not a member and would like to submit your name, please ensure you have officially joined by clicking the button below before sharing your interest. Please view our bylaws to learn more about these roles and their responsibilities. As this is a working board, candidates can expect to work ~10 hours/week on official Harmony business. Submissions will be accepted until October 31 at 5 p.m. Central.
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 Hello Harmony members and supporters - We are thrilled to share that the recent proposed bylaw revisions were unanimously approved by the participating membership. You can view our newly revised bylaws by clicking the button below. In the spirit of transparency, we are sharing the following section of the organization's bylaws that governs bylaw amendments. BYLAW AMENDMENT PROCEDURE 
 We are thrilled to share that there is another affirming congregation in the world.
The Juan Tabo Congregation, located in the Rio Grande Mission Center, is the newest Welcoming and Affirming member congregation in Community of Christ! The congregation successfully completed Harmony's Welcoming & Affirming Program on Sunday, August 20, with the official adoption of the following welcome statement. Juan Tabo Community of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. We warmly welcome diversity. We invite all people to worship and grow with us in our journey with Christ. This includes all sexual orientations and gender identities in the full life of this community. On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated members of the Juan Tabo Congregation for prioritizing this holy work. May your ministry be blessed! Please join us in congratulating the Juan Tabo Congregation for their commitment to inclusion in our beloved denomination. Consider contacting Humberto Tinsman to share any words of encouragement and gratitude. You may also consider making a donation directly to Juan Tabo (contact Humberto for details) for their dedication to this holy work. In the coming months, the Juan Tabo Congregation will host a celebration service to commemorate this major milestone. Stay tuned! We are encouraged by the growing number of congregations participating in our Welcoming & Affirming Program, and we look forward to sharing more good news like this! Juan Tabo joins a growing list of Welcoming & Affirming Congregations - click here to view the Affirming Ministries Map on our website.  Harmony is excited to announce the launch of its newest website feature: our 'Find an Affirming Ministry' Tool is now live on the website and ready to help you locate an affirming group near you!
With 26 groups in three countries meeting in-person and online, there has never been a better time to explore our church's growing affirming presence. Click the button below to take this new tool for a spin! Congratulations to the Vancouver, BC Congregation - Our Newest Welcoming & Affirming Congregation8/9/2023  Hello Harmony members and supporters -
We are thrilled to share that there is another affirming congregation in the world. The Vancouver, BC Congregation, located in Canada West Mission Centre, is the newest Welcoming and Affirming member congregation in Community of Christ! Vancouver successfully completed Harmony's Welcoming & Affirming Program with the official adoption of the following welcome statement. Here is their statement: "Community of Christ welcomes all people as they are. We embrace each person as their fully human, perfectly imperfect, authentic self. We believe each of us, in our diversity, embodies the spirit of God, and that all of us are equally deserving of unconditional love and acceptance. We acknowledge the hurt we have caused to those who were not included, and actively seek to reconcile and learn more ways to uphold the worth of all persons. With grace and open hearts, we welcome people who are LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, those with diverse abilities or beliefs, all races, cultural backgrounds, ages, and sizes. Wherever you are on your journey, when you enter this sacred space know that you are welcome here. You are loved!" On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated members of the Vancouver Congregation for prioritizing this holy work. May your ministry be blessed! Please join us in congratulating the Vancouver Congregation for their commitment to inclusion in our beloved denomination. Consider contacting Sky Lee to share any words of encouragement and gratitude. You may also consider making a donation directly to Vancouver (contact Sky for details) for their dedication to this holy work. In the coming months, the Vancouver Congregation will host a celebration service to commemorate this major milestone. Stay tuned! We are encouraged by the growing number of congregations participating in our Welcoming & Affirming Program, and we look forward to sharing more good news like this! With excitement and hope, Your Harmony Board of Directors  Hello Harmony members and supporters -
Right on the heels of Sunday's announcement about a new Welcoming & Affirming member congregation in Michigan, we have another reason to celebrate! Reaching Out, located in Canada East Mission Centre, is the newest Welcoming and Affirming member congregation in Community of Christ! Reaching Out successfully completed Harmony's Welcoming & Affirming Program with the official adoption of the following welcome statement. Here is their statement: "Reaching Out welcomes all persons (including the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community) in the life and ministries of Community of Christ. We affirm that each individual is a beloved child of God. By following the example of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to breaking down walls that divide and building a safe place where everyone is loved and welcomed to the table." On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated members of Reaching Out for prioritizing this holy work. May your ministry be blessed! Please join us in congratulating Reaching Out for their commitment to inclusion in our beloved denomination. Consider contacting Bonnie Avery to share any words of encouragement and gratitude. You may also consider making a donation directly to Reaching Out (contact Bonnie for details) for their dedication to this holy work. In the coming months, Reaching Out will host a celebration service to commemorate this major milestone. Stay tuned! We are encouraged by the number of congregations currently participating in our Welcoming & Affirming Program, and we look forward to sharing more good news like this! With excitement and hope, Your Harmony Board of Directors  Hello Harmony members and supporters - We are delighted to welcome Community of Christ Riverview, a congregation located in the Michigan Mission Center, as our newest Harmony Welcoming & Affirming member congregation. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✝️ Here is their statement: "We are a welcoming community centered on the worth of all persons. Responding to God’s call, we affirm and include LGBTQIA2S+ persons at every level of our congregation. We recognize each person as whole, sacred, and unconditionally loved by God. You are welcome here, and we are blessed by your presence." - Adopted on Sunday, July 23, 2023 On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated members of the Riverview Congregation for prioritizing this holy work. May your ministry be blessed and truly provide for the needs of God's people wherever they may be on their journey. Please join us in congratulating Beyond the Horizon for their commitment to inclusion in our beloved denomination. Consider contacting Linda Stanbridge (Harmony Facilitator) to share any words of encouragement and gratitude. You may also consider making a donation to the Riverview Congregation (contact Linda for details) for their dedication to this holy work. In the coming months, Riverview Congregation will host a celebration service to commemorate this major milestone. Stay tuned! NOTE: Congregations in the Michigan Mission Center interested in the Harmony Welcoming and Affirming program should contact Linda (she/her) at linda@cofchristmi.org to learn more. We are encouraged by the number of congregations currently participating in our Welcoming & Affirming Program, and we look forward to sharing more good news like this! With excitement and hope, Your Harmony Board of Directors  Embracing Liberation and Equality in Christ
Harmony stands proudly as a nonprofit advocating for Queer diversity in the Community of Christ denomination. Today, we join with those across the United States in celebrating Juneteenth, a historic milestone in the journey toward freedom and equality for all. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of African Americans from the bonds of slavery in the United States. It represents the triumph of resilience, the power of unity, and the significance of breaking chains that bind. As an organization rooted in Christ's teachings of love, justice, and inclusion, we recognize the profound significance of this day and honor the strength and perseverance of those who have fought for liberation throughout history. We also take this opportunity to reflect on the intersectionality of liberation struggles experienced by those on the margins. Our faith compels us to dismantle systems of oppression, challenge discriminatory ideologies, and create a world where every person can thrive in their authentic identity. As followers of Christ, we believe that love knows no bounds and that every individual is made in the image of God, deserving of dignity, respect, and full inclusion. Juneteenth serves as a reminder that the journey toward freedom and equality is ongoing, and that we must actively work toward dismantling systems of discrimination, both within society and the church. May this Juneteenth be a time of deep reflection, celebration, and action. Let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and equality, and may the Spirit guide us in building a world where all are free to be their authentic selves and experience the fullness of God's love without fear of hate, judgment, or persecution. Together, we celebrate the freedom found in Christ, the liberation of Juneteenth, and the beautiful diversity within the Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ Community. We will continue to work tirelessly, hand in hand, to advocate for a more inclusive society where all are welcomed, celebrated, and affirmed. Happy Juneteenth! In solidarity, Your Harmony Board of Directors  Several members and friends of Harmony have graciously donated their time to make a beautiful quilt for Pride this year. The pattern designer, Rebecca Mae (www.rebeccamaedesigns.com), has generously agreed to allow us to use some of the photos of the design from her website as part of this silent auction. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible! This one-of-a-kind creation celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the power of unity, all beautifully stitched together with passion, love, and care. This quilt showcases a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, each representing a unique aspect of the Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ (Queer) Community. From bold, vibrant reds that symbolize love and passion to calming blues that evoke a sense of serenity and harmony, every shade blends together, creating an awe-inspiring display of unity. Measurements: 72" x 84" (Lap/Twin Quilt) All proceeds from this silent auction will directly support Harmony, allowing us to continue the vital work of creating a more inclusive and affirming future for Community of Christ around the world. Don't miss your chance to own this symbol of love and inclusivity! Let your bid be a voice for equality, acceptance, and pride, and let the quilt become a cherished symbol of hope and celebration in your life. Place your bid and let the colors of the rainbow dance in your heart! 🌈✨ Bidding InstructionsThe bidding process includes 2 steps. Start by clicking the "Start Bidding" button below. You'll submit your contact information to us (so we can send you the quilt if you win!), after doing so you'll see a message directing you to the bidding form. Good luck!
 Support Queer Voices in Community of Christ with Harmony's 2023 Pride Shirt
This year's Pride shirt design has been greatly influenced by the rise in anti-Trans legislation around the world, especially in the United States where more than 460 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bills are currently being considered. Learn more here. About the Campaign and Harmony Proceeds from Harmony's (formerly GALA) third annual Pride shirt campaign will be used to break down walls of division and misunderstanding surrounding issues of sexuality and gender identity in Community of Christ. Harmony works tirelessly to ensure Queer / 2SLGBTQIA+ persons can fully participate in Community of Christ at all levels of the church and in all areas without exception. Last year, we had over 260 (100 more than the previous year!) orders from around the world. Place your order today, and consider shipping another directly to a friend or loved one who would really appreciate it. About the Design Two hands, representing the larger Queer Community and its various intersections, support and protect the growth of a budding plant with Trans flag colors on its leaves. This is symbolic of Queer unity and oneness to protect and ensure the safety, dignity, and legal rights of the Trans Community during these difficult times. We owe it to the Trans Community, who has continually supported other members of the Queer Community for decades, to stand up and fight for their right to exist and thrive. The phrase, "Justice & Joy" is part of Community of Christ's hymnody. Taken from the chorus of "For Everyone Born" (Community of Christ Sings #285), this is a call to action, reminding us that God delights in our social justice work. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy. See YouTube video from the Beyond the Walls Choir singing this beautiful hymn. Additional Pride Information and Resources Harmony has produced a lot of great Pride resources to help congregations put together a successful booth at their local Pride events. Visit https://www.harmony.lgbt/pride-resources.html to learn more. Questions? Contact us at info@harmony.lgbt. |
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