[ed note: there are many ways to be a GLAD Chapter, from holding a pot-luck once a month to the kind of organization that is growing in the Pacific Southwest Region. For more information about becoming a GLAD Chapter contact the Support and Advocacy Team Liaison Tonja Gerardy at tgerardy@gladalliance.org]
For several years the GLAD-PSWR Chapter has been working on getting its life in order! What that means is that we have had to discover the ways that will make it possible for the GLAD organization within the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to function smoothly into the future.
Our recent Regional Assembly provided the opportunity for members of GLAD-PSWR to gather together for an event during which we adopted our first "Design and Covenant," that spells out how we do our work together. We also elected our first official members of the GLAD-PSWR Council, with terms of office now in place. We gave our support to a proposal that, for the time being, places us as an organization under the auspices of the Church in Society Committee of the Region. We also adopted our first two-year budget.
The vision of GLAD-PSWR, according to our new "Design and Covenant," is that "we are called by God to be a sacred community, led by the Spirit, to be a prophetic voice and a living resource, present with our gifts to the church and the world." Our mission is outlined in the "Design and Covenant" and states that we are to be "a safe, accepting and faithful place for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Affirming Community" and that we seek to speak "truth to power, advocating for inclusivity, diversity, and justice" within the whole church.
Council members elected included Mary Bosker (San Diego), Joy Britain (Burbank), David Downing (San Diego), and Gayle Schoepf (Long Beach), each to serve four year terms; Gwen Gutierrez (West Covina), Larry Hixon (Altadena), Bruce Indermill (Encino), and Gordon Shepherd (Laguna Woods), each to serve two year terms; and Steve Kindle to serve as an ex-officio member.
During the first official meeting of the Council, the following officers were elected by the Council: David Downing, Moderator; Gwen Gutierrez, Recording Secretary; Larry Hixon, Treasurer; and Steve Kindle, Corresponding Secretary. Steve Kindle also agreed to chair the Support and Advocacy Ministry Team, one of three such Teams slated for organization.
Several events and involvements are scheduled for this year: A joint retreat with the United Church of Christ Coalition, a Fall Dinner/Dance event, a joint meeting of the GLAD-PSWR and UCC Coalition Leadership, and a possible conversation with Hispanic Leadership regarding how we can best work together.
I am extremely excited about the life of GLAD-PSWR within our Region! Our membership list currently stands at 166 individuals. Membership is free. Join us whenever you can!
With great anticipation,
David C. Downing,
Moderator, GLAD-PSWR
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