From: AHarrisNYC@aol.com Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 22:55:23 -0400 Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance - GLAD Alliance P.O. Box 19223 Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223 "Behold how good and how pleasant for sisters and brothers to dwell in unity!" - Psalm 133:1 *** Who Are We? *** We are gay, lesbian, bisexual and affirming laity, clergy and friends from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations throughout the United States and Canada. Together, we are the Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance, or GLAD Alliance (GLAD Alliance), and we affirm the theological understandings expressed in the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are organized to provide support, advocacy, and education to persons within our denomination, as well as within other traditions who trace their roots back to the historic Campbell/Stone movements of the 19th century. We are not a recognized organization of the denomination and receive no funding from the denomination. We are a register non-profit organization and are listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 3(c) entity. *** Some History *** During the mid-1970's, along with other "mainline" denominations, th= e Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) experienced the struggles of fac= ing issues of human sexuality in open forums, especially regarding homose= xuality. Several closeted clergy and lay people gathered in secret at th= e biennial meeting of the denomination, called the General Assembly. At = the 1977 General Assembly of the Christian Church, meeting in Kansas City= , Missouri, the issue of homosexuality was being hotly debated by the 7,0= 00+ delegates, particularly around the issue of the ordination of lesbian= s and gay men. The proceedings were brought to a standstill when the mot= her of a gay man, Carol Blakely, read from the floor of the assembly her = son's coming out letter to her and her husband, Ron. The General Ministe= r and President of the denomination, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Teegarden, allo= wed her to continue beyond her time limit and came down from the stage ar= ea to embrace her. It was a compelling moment for the denomination. GLAD Alliance counts as its date of formation the next biennial meet= ing, in 1979 when a group of delegates attending the St. Louis General As= sembly began to strategize a future for lesbian and gay concerns in the C= hurch. We have met during each subsequent General Assembly and maintaine= d a visible presence with activities such as pre-Assembly gatherings, boo= ths in the exhibit hall, after-sessions, workshops, and hospitality suite= s. During extended weekends in even-numbered years we gather to create a= nd renew friendships and to advocate on behalf of lesbians, gay men, bise= xual folks and our friends and families through worship, discussion, and = community-building. We were legally incorporated at the 1989 General Ass= embly meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. =0D *** How Is The GLAD Alliance Led? *** A group of eight individuals, with staggered terms of three years ea= ch, are elected to the GLAD Alliance Council by the general membership at= each annual meeting. One person is selected by the Council for a two-ye= ar position as Moderator. Currently, Kelly Kirby, CPA and Board Member o= f the national Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays group, is the Moder= ator. He may be reached by e-mail at KELLY_KIRBY@ecunet.org =0D *** Ministries Of GLAD Alliance *** Open & Affirming Ministries Program = Congregations, campus ministries, regions, and other entities of the = Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are encouraged to publicly declare= themselves to be Open & Affirming and to live out this commitment throug= h ministries which affirm the whole family of God and which welcome bisex= ual, lesbian and gay Christians into all facets of the life of the Church= , including leadership. The Open & Affirming Ministries Developer, the R= ev. Allen V. Harris, and existing O&A Ministries are available to provide= resources and support for this process. He may be reached at the e-mail= address: AharrisNYC@aol.com or by phone at 212-288-3246. =0D Regional Chapters Members and friends are encouraged to form GLAD Alliance Chapters to= provide worship, educational, and social opportunities for gay, lesbian,= bisexual, and affirming laity, clergy, and friends within the Regions of= the christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Regional GLAD Alliance D= evelopers and existing GLAD Alliance chapters will provide resources and= support for chapters. There are also Regional Coordinators who serve as= contact persons for the various regions. =0D Crossbeams Newsletter Crossbeams, the newsletter of GLAD Alliance, is published 5 times a = year. It features articles and news stories about GLAD Alliance, the chr= istian Church (Disciples of Christ) and news of the ecumenical lesbian, g= ay, bisexual and affirming religious movement. =0D Annual Events Each year members and friends gather to create and renew friendships= through worship, discussion, and fellowship. The Event is held immediat= ely prior to each biennial General Assembly of the Christian Church and d= uring an extended summer or fall weekend in other years. The next Event = will be in conjunction with the 1997 General Assembly of the Christian Ch= urch, meeting in Denver, Colorado July 25-29, 1997. Typically, GLAD Alli= ance meets 1-2 days prior to the General Assembly. = *** GLAD Alliance Covenant *** In recognition of the authority of Jesus Christ and in covenant with God= , we proclaim our commitment: * To maintain a visible presence in outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexu= al and affirming Disciples of Christ. * To speak with a prophetic voice calling all Disciples to break the= silence and name the reality that we are your sons, daughters, brothers,= sisters, parents, congregants, pastors, and staff, and that we are creat= ed in god's image. * To nurture, support, and empower lesbian, bisexual, and gay Discip= les as they seek to lead lives of wholeness, witness, and faithfulness wi= thin the community of the church. * To educate and call congregations, campus ministries, and regions = of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to declare themselves to be= Open &Affirming Ministries which publicly affirm a ministry with the who= le family of God and which welcome bisexual, lesbian, gay, and affirming = Christians into all facets of the life of the Church. * To call the Church to respond to the AIDS crisis as a concern of t= he whole church. =0D FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER, PLEASE WRITE TO: GLAD= Alliance, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223.=