Welcome to the GALA website

There are a few of the GALA bags left from the World Conference booth. Check out the "Merchandise" page to order. If all you are ordering is the bag, shipping is included in the $20 price so you do not need to check the "shipping and handling" choice. If you are ordering other merchandise, you will need to check "shipping and handling."

April 19-21, 2013
Independence, Missouri
International Headquarters

21 April 2013

USA National Conference Recommends Policy Changes (PDF)

First Presidency and Council of Twelve Will Have to Approve before Implementation

The Community of Christ USA National Conference was held April 19–21. After a three-year consent-building process of study, dialogue, and prayer, members from across the nation gathered at Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, to address two issues: same-sex/gender marriage where legal, and covenant commitment services where marriage is not legal; and ordination of people regardless of sexual orientation. After hearing multiple perspectives, the USA National Conference, by more than the required 67-percent majority, made the following recommendations to the Community of Christ First Presidency and Council of Twelve Apostles.

• The 2013 USA National Conference recommends the sacrament of marriage be extended, where legal in the USA, to persons of the same sex/gender. Thus the 2013 USA National Conference recommends a change to the current policy for the USA on the sacrament of marriage; and
• The 2013 USA National Conference recommends that a church-recognized way for two persons of the same sex/gender to publicly express their covenant to each other be made available in places in the USA where marriage is not legal. Thus, the 2013 USA National Conference recommends a change to the current policy for the USA regarding same-sex/gender covenant commitment services where marriage is not legal; and
• The 2013 USA National Conference recommends allowing a priesthood call to be processed according to established procedures regardless of sexual orientation, including a person in a monogamous, committed, same-sex/gender relationship (e.g., legal marriage, civil partnership, covenant relationship) in the USA. Thus, the 2013 USA National Conference recommends a change to the current policy on ordination for the USA.

2013 Florida retreat registration form

The Florida Regional GALA retreat will be May 3-5 at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center. Theme is "A Place at the Table for Everyone." Cost is $75 per person; children 3-12 are free with a paid adult registration.

Nominations now being accepted!

Each year a Nominating Committee is selected and charged with seeking individuals that will stand for election to the GALA Board of Directors. The terms of office and responsibilities are prescribed in the Bylaws. The Committee, "…shall solicit the GALA membership for suggestions for nominees and shall strive to include, both within its composition and its proposed slate of nominees, representation of persons of all sexual orientations, differing abilities, racial‐ethnic backgrounds, gender identification, geographic locations and ages."

The terms of office are staggered so only part of the Board are elected each year which provides for and promotes a continuity and flow from Board‐to‐Board. The following are the positions with the calendar year terms for which the committee is seeking candidates in the 2013 elections. Preferably a minimum of two (2) candidates shall stand for election for each position.

• Vice President (2014‐2015)
• President‐elect (2014) who then serves as President (2015‐2016) and as Past President (2017)
• Undersecretary for Publications (2014‐2015)
• Member‐at‐Large (2014‐2016)

Please remember that GALA members with annual dues paid are eligible to stand for election.

March 2013 is now available

Photos from the 2012 retreat

Plan on joining us for the 2013 GALA retreat (Labor Day weekend) at the Temple Grove campgrounds. Guest ministry will be brought by Becky Savage, a member of the Community of Christ First Presidency.

If you are looking for a good movie that is LGBT-friendly, check out the "Movies" link under the "Resources" tab.

New Opportunity for Creating Local GALA Affiliates

Touched by Grace is another wonderful compilation of life stories from members of GALA--members, family, and friends. After months of work collecting stories, reading stories, editing stories, designing covers, finding pictures, the final proof reading and implementing the corrections, the GALA Board and John Whitmer Books is proud to announce Touched by Grace is now available!

Order here!

Read stories of some of our LGBT sisters and brothers and their allies as they journey in Community of Christ.

If you would like to share your story, please send it to Saundra Merth.