Harmony’s Board of Directors is pleased to share the following update concerning policy revision efforts in the United States and Canada.
 
As a reminder, in partnership with the USA Team of Apostles and the Apostle to Canada, we are working to review, revise, and formalize the interim national conference policies for the United States and Canada with a tentative completion date of December 31, 2022.
 
Please note the above project milestones graphic as a point of reference. We will share updates as new information becomes available.

Harmony is acting as consultant to provide guidance on inclusive language and the Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ experience in Community of Christ.
 
In the following days, Harmony will finalize its feedback to the USA Team of Apostles and Canada’s Apostle (Art Smith), and the draft policy will move into a review phase with various stakeholders. We are honored to contribute as part of this approach.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@harmony.lgbt.

Note: Harmony has funds available to ensure Queer / 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who want something but don't have the funds can still place an order. I've been including the following blurb to ensure they're aware:

If you would like to purchase Pride merch but are low on funds, contact Harmony Treasurer Michele McGrath at michele@harmony.lgbt. We have funds available for this purpose, and we want you to be decked out in affirming wear.

If you'd like to make a donation to ensure Queer folks and affirming congregations have what they need this Pride season, consider making a contribution to our FB Fundraiser (https://www.facebook.com/donate/572033707729468/) or on our website: www.harmony.lgbt/donate.

​Join us on Monday, February 28, at 8 p.m. Central for Sacred Pause North America. Our theme is "Grace in the Storm," and we will be gathering via Zoom. 

This gathering will be planned by Graceland University students and will include Communion (Lord's Supper).

Harmony's Board of Directors has prepared an open letter in order to respond publicly and transparently to a statement distributed by the Community of Christ First Presidency to the World Church Leadership Council (WCLC) on Thursday, December 9, concerning Harmony’s recent petition.

In this letter, we wish to provide important context missing from the First Presidency’s response; however, more than anything else we seek to commit our unwavering support to the cause that is safeguarding Queer members and friends of Community of Christ.

The purpose of providing you with such a letter is to share factual information based on several years of advocacy work on behalf of Queer voices in our denomination. Our goal (as stated in the petition) is to meet with the First Presidency in order to gain clarity surrounding the subject and to offer our support as they carry out the holy work of safeguarding Queer participation in countries where policy changes are in effect.

​The letter can be viewed by clicking the button below.

We are excited to share that generous donors have committed to match the first $1,000 USD received dollar-for-dollar! Double your impact this Giving Tuesday!

WHAT WE DO:

Harmony provides support to individuals, families of Queer persons, congregations, mission centers, and church leaders in order to ensure a more affirming, inclusive, and safe future for Queer persons in Community of Christ.

WE DO THIS BY:

🏳️‍🌈 training and deploying facilitators to journey alongside willing congregations and mission centers as part of our Welcoming and Affirming Program;
📣 ampifying the needs of Queer voices through strategic advocacy efforts;
🙏 establishing regular opportunities for Queer ministry through spiritual companionship programs;
📇 maintaining a database of affirming members of the priesthood who are committed to upholding the worth and dignity of Queer persons in need of spiritual guidance, sacraments, etc.; and
📚 providing resources and educational opportunities to church leaders in order that they might make better, more inclusive decisions.

Our primary advocacy focus at this time is the formalization of each of Community of Christ's Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ policies concerning ordination and marriage in the countries that have held national conferences on the subject. We believe this should be done in close partnership with local representatives from each nation/region as well as Queer persons.

There are currently 42 nations that have recommended policy changes on this matter. All of them remain in interim form, and some have been in this form for eight (8) years.

ABOUT US:

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We are a membership organization with 227 active members across 10 nations.
💳 In the last two years, we have raised ~$20,000 USD annually in grassroots fundraising campaigns from hundreds of donors around the world.
📅 We have been in operation consistently since the mid-1980s.
📈 Between the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years, we saw a 2500% increase in year-over-year donations and a 440% increase year-over-year in membership numbers. This growth continues on an upward trajectory.
🎓 2/3 of our Board of Directors are Community of Christ (Graceland University) Seminary graduates.