 Dear Harmony members and supporters,
We are compiling a current list of ordained Community of Christ ministers willing and excited to officiate Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ wedding ceremonies. WHY? Harmony is committed to providing its members with current, reliable contact information in order that they might be connected with affirming, kind, and inclusive individuals in their area wherever they are on their journey. This has historically been managed organically, but as we continue to grow, we are seeking out more formal ways of maintaining such records. In this case, we hope this database will be viewed as a valuable resource to our membership around the world as they plan one of the most important events of their lives: their wedding ceremony. IS THIS YOU? If so, please add your name to our database by clicking the button below. As always, we pledge to safeguard your details and will only share them with interested individuals pursuing marriage.
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 On this day, Harmony joins with millions around the world who seek to honor the wisdom and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his quest for equality, opportunity, and safety for people of color in the United States.
The Harmony Board of Directors wishes to extend an earnest apology to all those made to feel less-than, uncomfortable, unsafe, unworthy, and hopeless due to our failings as an organization over the years. While these are merely words, we recognize reconciliation to be a vital starting point from which to begin important dialogue on this topic. Lifting and supporting intersectional voices is a Harmony priority, and we commit to doing better going forward. There is no time nor reason for complacency. We are inspired by MLK’s good work, and we seek to emulate his approach to making our world a safer, more equitable place. Harmony Board of Directors  Harmony has announced its 2021 Sacred Pause dates. Following a survey of participants, we have continued our previous schedule for Sacred Pause to occur monthly on the last Monday evening of each month at 8 p.m. Central.
A BIT ABOUT SACRED PAUSE Sacred Pause is a monthly Queer/LGBTQ+ event hosted by Harmony. The purpose of this gathering is to offer a space (online) for our members and friends to find renewal and belonging in the midst of social isolation. This event will take place on Zoom (free video conferencing software available on smart phones/tablets/computers) and will include the following elements:
All are welcome! This event is FREE but registration is required: https://forms.gle/Z4KjydRV8XBUx4dx5. If you'd like to volunteer to assist with a future Sacred Pause, please visit https://www.harmony.lgbt/volunteer.html and complete the Volunteer Form. Someone will be in touch as soon as possible. *For security reasons, Zoom link will be shared just before the gathering begins.*  We are excited to offer this upgraded membership experience to you. Harmony has partnered with Join It, a membership management platform, to provide a secure, self-managed membership hub for all your needs.
Click below to see full details. The 2020 Harmony Election is nearly upon us! We wanted to provide you with a list of the board positions (and descriptions) in advance that will be up for election due to term limits or vacancy. Vice President - 2 Year Position In the event of the death, absence, incapacity, inability or refusal to act of the President, the Vice-President shall be invested with all the powers and perform all the duties of the office of President. The Vice-President’s duties include: a. Working in cooperation with the President. b. Being invited to share in other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. Treasurer - 2 Year Position The Treasurer shall have supervision and custody of all monies, funds, and credits of the Corporation. The Treasure's duties include: a. Chair the Finance Committee. b. Causing to be kept full and accurate accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the Corporation in books belonging to it. c. Causing all monies and credits to be deposited in the name of and to the credit of the Corporation in such accounts and depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. d. Disburse and supervise the disbursement of funds for the Corporation in accordance with the authority granted by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers therefore. e. Prepare and file any required Local, State or Federal, including Internal Revenue Service (IRS), reports according to applicable law (usually annually). f. Prepare an annual budget and submit it to the membership for approval at the annual membership meeting. g. Present a complete and accurate report of the finances of the Corporation at each meeting of the members, or at any other time upon request to the Board of Directors. h. Assist in direct audits of the funds of the Corporation according to funding source guidelines and generally accepted accounting principles. i. Being invited to share in other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. Member Support Coordinator - 1 Year Position The Member Support Coordinator shall serve in a support role to the membership to the Corporation. The Member Support Coordinator duties include: a. Being responsible for membership activities of the Corporation. b. Maintaining contacts with membership and seeks input from members for the board. c. Inviting new members to participate. d. Collecting and maintaining appropriate resources for membership. e. Being a contact for events. f. Being invited to share in other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. At Large Member - 2 Year Position At Large Member - 3 Year Position The At Large Member(s) shall serve as the voice of the membership to the Corporation. The At Large Member(s) duties include: a. Representing the membership views and voice to the Board. b. Serving as chairs of various committees. c. Assisting officers with administrative tasks, as needed. d. Being invited to share in other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. Our election will take place in October this year via emailed secret ballots, and a separate announcement will be sent out in the coming days when the details have been finalized. In this announcement, we will include general expectations, approximate time commitments, technological requirements to conduct the business of the organization, as well other relevant details.
As always, membership with Harmony is a requirement for all Board Members. Additionally, only 2020 Harmony Members are eligible to vote in the 2020 Harmony Election. Questions? Contact Saundra Merth, Harmony Vice President. Thank you for your consideration! We hope you will consider journeying with us. In service, Your Harmony Board of Directors With the support of generous donors, Harmony is excited to invest in critically important professional adult sexual education courses for our membership and the public. You are warmly invited to attend this special four-part webinar series. Dr. Jill McDevitt (Ph.D. Human Sexuality, M.Ed. Human Sexuality Education, B.A. Sexuality, Marriage, and Family), a San Diego-based sexologist, will provide our members and the public with meaningful and science-based information concerning human sexuality and gender identity as well as common areas of struggle for the Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ Community such as shame, intimacy, power and agency, pleasure, and more.  This event is free for Harmony members and also available to non-members for a fee to recoup some costs associated with hosting the event.
The series will begin on October 3, 2020, at Noon Central with the initial "Circles of Sexuality" workshop. Topics of the three subsequent workshops will be announced following the initial workshop where feedback will be received and interpreted. In other words, participants will drive the discussion! Event Details:
To our Harmony Family:
On Monday, July 27, 2020, Member Support Coordinator Stephanie R. Gustave submitted her letter of resignation to the Harmony Board of Directors. Stephanie indicated she will continue to support the mission and vision of Harmony but that she was not able to commit the time that her position required. This position will be filled at our upcoming election this fall. The Board of Directors has accepted Stephanie's resignation and wishes her success in her other endeavors. On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, I want to personally thank Stephanie for her contributions to the organization and its mission. We know she will continue to use her voice to build a more inclusive future wherever she may wish to serve. As a volunteer organization, we continue to be grateful to individuals who feel a call to support the mission and vision of Harmony and respond generously with their time, expertise, and love. Sometimes, life can get in the way of that. Despite the vacancy of the Member Support Coordinator position, I want to reaffirm Harmony’s commitment to serving members and congregations alike. In the last six months, exciting programs have already emerged such as Sacred Pause, Harmony 101, Family Support, and of course our updated Congregational Welcoming & Affirming program. In addition, advocacy work continues in partnership with Community of Christ leaders through essential work such as advising on inclusive and intentional language at all levels (e.g. congregations, campgrounds, and at the international level) as well as exciting possibilities with Graceland University. If you are interested in helping us to further these areas of support, please complete our Volunteer Form. Your voice is unique and will help to ensure we can better serve all in our community. Additionally, if you are a member in need of support, you may reach us at any time via email at members@harmony.lgbt or by phone/text at +1 (816) 368-5773. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Respectfully, Parker Johnson Harmony President He/Him  Hello Harmony friends and supporters -
On June 1, 2020, the officers received a letter of resignation from John Billings, Harmony Treasurer. In summary, John has requested to resign as soon as we find a replacement or by July 1, 2020, whichever occurs first. John has agreed to assist with the transition once his successor has been identified. While we are profoundly sad to see John go, we are indebted to - and celebrate - his commitment to GALA, WCN, and Harmony over the years, and we wish him the very best. Any messages of support, well-wishes, etc. can be directed to john@harmony.lgbt. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE At John's request, he will be shifting his focus to transitioning out. John was instrumental in setting up the Finance Committee prior to his resignation, and the organization is blessed to have such a high caliber of volunteers committed to responsibly managing the finances of a growing non-profit. Going forward, Kellie Brady, Mike Roberts, and Val Sundell will make up the Harmony Finance Committee. OUR NEXT TREASURER On behalf of the Harmony Board of Directors, I'd like to welcome Mike Roberts as our newly appointed Harmony Treasurer. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in finance as well as a strong desire to support the mission of Harmony. The Board of Directors unanimously approved Mike's appointment as Treasurer, fulfilling the remainder of John Billings's term. Per the bylaws, we will be re-electing the position of Treasurer at our next election this fall. At that time, Mike will be eligible to run for the Office of Treasurer if he wishes. Any messages of support, welcome, well-wishes, etc. can be directed to mike@harmony.lgbt. I've included Mike's biography below for your review: "My name is Mike and I’m a 26 year old transgender man living in Salt Lake City, Utah with my spouse Meggan. Last year I received my BS in Business Management from Western Governors University and am now pursuing a BS in Accounting from the same school; I’m scheduled to graduate in June 2020. I have 4 years of accounting experience including accounts payable/receivable, tax preparations and filings, auditing, monthly financial statement preparation, etc. I currently work as a Staff Accountant for an international trampoline park company. I have an intense passion for accurate, prompt, and detailed financial reports and strive to improve each month. I am super excited for the future of Harmony and its ability to change many lives, especially those of the LGBTQIA+ community." Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. While the timing of John's departure is unfortunate, I want to assure you that the organization is well-positioned and in healthy financial shape. The future is bright! In service, Parker Johnson Harmony President he/him Harmony welcomes Kellie Brady and Mike Roberts to the Harmony Finance Committee. Kellie and Mike are both members of Harmony and join together with John Billings (Harmony Treasurer) and Val Sundell (At-Large Board Member) to form the first Finance Committee in Harmony history. Following the organization's bylaws, the Harmony Board of Directors unanimously approved Kellie and Mike at the May 2020 Board Meeting. The Committee met for the first time this afternoon via Zoom to get organized and strategize. Harmony is grateful for the contributions of volunteers and board members committed to furthering the mission of the organization. Thank you for all you are doing!
 Harmony stands with the marginalized, oppressed, and misunderstood.
On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, how are you promoting the worth of all persons in your communities? |
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