 Following Saturday’s deadly shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs that left at least five dead and 25 injured, the members of Harmony’s Board of Directors offer their deepest condolences to the families, chosen families, and friends of all those who were targeted. In the wake of yet another deadly attack on innocent, precious members of the Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ Community, we find comfort in the teachings of Jesus Christ who modelled and taught the importance of justice, peace, and healing as a call to action - not through "thoughts and prayers" alone. The hymn When the Darkness Overwhelms Us (CCS #314) reminds us of this calling in each verse. A particularly compelling and timely line is verse 3: When in weary isolation We’ve lost our courage to care, When our captive spirits perish In the bondage of despair, Free our arms for action Reaching for another’s hand, Free our feet for marching or move to boldly make a stand. May the One who calls us to this holy work place their spirit of reassurance upon us to encourage us as their hands and feet to realize our potential as justice seekers, peace makers, and community builders. Your Harmony Board of Directors Note: Special thanks to our partners at Beyond the Walls for providing the beautiful music to many of our hymns. You can click the play button below to view/hear the full hymn recorded by the Beyond the Walls Choir.
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 To our members and supporters -
Harmony’s Board of Directors is pleased to share the following update concerning policy update efforts in the United States. We have reached the final step in the year-long revision process (“Final Review & Approval”), and the draft policy updates are now with the First Presidency for final review. We will keep you updated once we receive word of any approvals. The USA Team of Apostles consulted with members and leaders representing diverse locations and roles across the United States. Harmony has been honored to contribute as part of this approach. On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, I’d like to extend my gratitude to Apostles Barbara Carter, Janné Grover, Ron Harmon, Robin Linkhart, Lachlan Mackay, Dave Nii, and Art Smith for their support and willingness to engage in this holy work within their respective fields. We look forward to collaborating in an effort to ensure the future of Community of Christ in the United States is a fully affirming one. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@harmony.lgbt. With excitement and anticipation, Parker Johnson (he/him) Harmony President  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.  You asked - we answered!
We are excited to share a new resource that has been frequently requested by Harmony folks and church members...inclusive marriage materials! As many of you know, Harmony maintains a list of affirming officiants who - when called upon - stand ready to serve Queer / same-sex couples during one of the most important moments of their lives. Now, with the help of Harmony Volunteer Jenny Lowndes, we have several resources to help lead the conversation. Included in this new resource kit are:
Click the buttons below to view and download. As always, we'd love your feedback!  We are thrilled to share our second annual Pride campaign design with you. If you recall, our 2021 theme was RESILIENT, and we received more than 160 orders from folks just like you from around the world. Our theme this year is WELCOME WITHOUT EXCEPTION. We are now taking orders for our 2022 design. Using the same vendor as last year (Bonfire), you can click the link below to select the shirt style, color, and size. This year we are also selling mugs and totes as well. Note: As we only make about $0.25 - $1.00 on each item, donations are also welcome to ensure we cover the cost of our designer. Hoping to wear your Harmony shirt at an upcoming Pride event and time is of the essence? Place your order by June 7 to receive on/around June 23. Otherwise, order when you're ready! 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.  We have had lots of requests for Pride Booth support recently...which means we are most definitely headed for Pride Month! Every year in the US and Canada, June is designated as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in New York City (June 1969). Learn more here. We are thrilled to share some resources we've designed and compiled to ensure your Pride presence is a success this year. We've put together sticker designs, notecards, swag, business cards, sign-up forms, best practices, recommended books, and more. Take a look at the link below and check back often to see what new resources have been added. Harmony relies on generous donations from folks just like you. Whether you are directly involved with a Pride Booth this year or not, consider making a donation to Harmony to ensure this support can continue long into the future.
On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, I am pleased to share that efforts are currently underway in partnership with the USA Team of Apostles and the Apostle to Canada 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, the board is encouraged that both countries will have updated policies in place protecting the Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ community’s participation in the life of the church within the United States and Canada. Please note the following project milestones as a point of reference. We will share updates as new information becomes available.  Led by the USA Team of Apostles and Canada’s Apostle (Art Smith), this process will invite input from individuals throughout these two fields in order to ensure a broad representation of perspectives. Harmony is honored to contribute as part of this approach.
On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, I’d like to extend my gratitude to Apostles Barbara Carter, Janné Grover, Ron Harmon, Robin Linkhart, Lachlan Mackay, Dave Nii, and Art Smith for their support and willingness to engage in this holy work within their respective fields. We look forward to collaborating in an effort to ensure the future of Community of Christ in the United States and Canada is an affirming one. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@harmony.lgbt. With excitement and anticipation, Parker Johnson (he/him) Harmony President  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. Dear Harmony Member,
Tammie Lay (she/her) tendered her resignation from the Harmony Board of Directors yesterday, December 6, 2021. Our bylaws provide for a clean process by which to honor an individual’s wishes swiftly and efficiently. Article V, Section 13 outlines the automatic acceptance of resignations. Tammie vacates the role of Congregation Support Coordinator. A search will commence in the new year to fill this position. The Board of Directors wishes to extend its gratitude to Tammie for her work in moving the needle on the Welcoming & Affirming Program forward. In service, Parker Johnson (he/him) Harmony President |
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