News from the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance

Summer 2008

Download the print version of this month's Crossbeams for your church, friends, and family.

A letter from the GLAD Council: Dear GLAD members, We are sad to report that we have chosen to cancel the summer retreat, based on very low registrations and other indicators that seem to point to little chance that we can meet the minimum for use of the space. As time for our next financial deposit on the Pilgrim Pines retreat center neared, we checked registrations for the summer "Let's Widen the Welcome" event. We had five registrations. Because we had made direct and personal contact with a large number of members and friends, we were getting the signal that attendance looked very weak, even given the slow registration respond GLAD members typically give. Everyone we contacted applauded the idea of a retreat that would invite in people from a broad spectrum of ethnicities and perspectives so our members could engage with them in a conversation about what it means to be a "movement for wholeness in a fragmented world"... This is the language of the Disciples new identity statement. But you also reported you could not attend. The planning for this event got off to an admittedly late start. Your calendars were, in some cases, full. We might have weathered that reality had the fuel crunch not left a number of other folks feeling a little vulnerable financially to travel this summer. We can't justify the event with such low attendance, and we certainly do not want to give the local congregations who might have joined us for conversation the impression that this is not a vital issue worthy of our time. So, we are canceling the retreat and releasing the center while they can still find another group to fill it (and release us from the large contract against the space). But we still hope to host the conversation we were planning for this event. We are considering sending facilitators to the region to help move ahead with the conversation among PSWR Disciples. We’ll keep you posted on our plans. Meanwhile, we look forward to 2009 Indianapolis General Assembly, July 29-August 2, as a possibly place for that conversation to be held. NOW more than ever, please plan to attend the General Assembly and enjoy a GREAT time together there. We'll give you more information SOON after our Leadership Retreat of the Council in October. Meanwhile, SAVE THE DATES and your gas money!! Faithfully, Your GLAD Council

GLAD Retreat Cancelled

The GLAD Retreat for 2008 has been cancelled.  You can read the letter from the Council in the box on the right.

This Month's News

Widening the Welcome: Conversations in the Pacific Southwest

GLAD Moderator Maria Perez Attends Asamblea Nacional Hispana y Bilingüe

New Ideas Developed to Assist O&A Congregations

Report from the Pacific Southwest Regional GLAD Event

Chalice Christian takes a public stand on Marriage Equality

New Resources for Open & Affirming Churches and Supporters: Facebook Group and E-mail List

Upcoming Events

Toward a More Welcoming and Inclusive Church
A Training Program to Increase the Number of Open and Affirming Disciples Congregations
October 24-26, Goshen, IN

GLAD Pacific-Southwest Region Biennial Meeting
October 18 (Following the PSWR Regional Meeting), San Bernadino, CA
Contact David Downing for more for more information

Many Stories One Voice : Equipping the Saints for the Ministry of God's Extravagant Welcome
September 4-7, New Orleans, LA

For Such a Time as This : A Transgender Pre-Event of Many Stories One Voice
September 3, New Orleans, LA

Job Opportunity

Reconciling Ministries Network hiring Field Organizer with Young Adult Emphasis

Supporting Marriage Equality

Clergy are invited to endorse the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality.  Click here to read the letter and click here to endorse the letter.

Questions Comments Compliments? crossbeams@gladalliance.org