From: [email-masked]
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, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) experienced the struggles of facing issues of human sexuality in open forums, especially regarding homosexuality.  Several closeted clergy and lay people gathered in secret at the 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 7,000+ delegates, particularly around the issue of the ordination of lesbians and gay men.  The proceedings were brought to a standstill when the mother 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 Minister and President of the denomination, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Teegarden, allowed her to continue beyond her time limit and came down from the stage area to embrace her.  It was a compelling moment for the denomination.
     GLAD Alliance counts as its date of formation the next biennial meeting, in 1979 when a group of delegates attending the St. Louis General Assembly began to strategize a future for lesbian and gay concerns in the Church.  We have met during each subsequent General Assembly and maintained a visible presence with activities such as pre-Assembly gatherings, booths in the exhibit hall, after-sessions, workshops, and hospitality suites.  During extended weekends in even-numbered years we gather to create and renew friendships and to advocate on behalf of lesbians, gay men, bisexual folks and our friends and families through worship, discussion, and community-building.  We were legally incorporated at the 1989 General Assembly meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.

*** How Is The GLAD Alliance Led? ***
     A group of eight individuals, with staggered terms of three years each, 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-year position as Moderator.  Currently, Kelly Kirby, CPA and Board Member of the national Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays group, is the Moderator.  He may be reached by e-mail at [email-masked]

*** 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 through ministries which affirm the whole family of God and which welcome bisexual, lesbian and gay Christians into all facets of the life of the Church, including leadership.  The Open & Affirming Ministries Developer, the Rev. 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: [email-masked] or by phone at 212-288-3246.

    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 Developers 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.

   Crossbeams Newsletter
     Crossbeams, the newsletter of GLAD Alliance, is published 5 times a year.  It features articles and news stories about GLAD Alliance, the christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and news of the ecumenical lesbian, gay, bisexual and affirming religious movement.

   Annual Events
     Each year members and friends gather to create and renew friendships through worship, discussion, and fellowship.  The Event is held immediately prior to each biennial General Assembly of the Christian Church and during an extended summer or fall weekend in other years.  The next Event will be in conjunction with the 1997 General Assembly of the Christian Church, meeting in Denver, Colorado July 25-29, 1997.  Typically, GLAD Alliance 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, bisexual 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 created in god's image.
     * To nurture, support, and empower lesbian, bisexual, and gay Disciples as they seek to lead lives of wholeness, witness, and faithfulness within 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 whole 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 the whole church.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER, PLEASE WRITE TO:  GLAD Alliance, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223.