Hi, my name is Parker Johnson (he/him). I am a newly ordained minister in Community of Christ. I am also the president of Harmony, a non-profit advocating for full Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ participation in the life of the church.

I am collecting the names of Community of Christ ministers, members, and friends who support the review and formalization of the church's national policies concerning Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ participation in the church in an effort to improve transparency surrounding the matter.

THE PROBLEM

At this time in the church, there have been eight (8) national and/or mission center conferences resulting in recommended policy changes on the matter of Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ participation. These changes affect 42 nations. (Some of these nations do not have a church presence at this time.) All of these policies remain in their original interim form as the First Presidency has yet to review and formalize them. For some countries, this means they have been operating with interim policies for eight (8) years.

Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ individuals deserve assurances and clarity when it comes to Community of Christ's various positions on the matter.

THE SOLUTION

Community of Christ's First Presidency must commit to the review and formalization of these policies as soon as possible. This should be done in partnership with country-specific representatives as well as Harmony leaders in order to ensure particulars from the local level are incorporated and that Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ individuals can provide appropriate input. Final versions should then be widely circulated to ensure transparency and accountability.

THE ASK

This petition asks that the Office of the First Presidency commits to contacting Harmony's Board of Directors (info@harmony.lgbt) no later than December 31, 2021 to schedule a meeting in 2022 to discuss a path forward.

MORE ABOUT THE MATTER OF QUEER/LGBTQIA2S+ INCLUSION IN COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

Community of Christ is a loving, welcoming Christian faith tradition with an official presence in more than 60 nations around the world. Concerning the matter of Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ participation in the church, President Steve Veazey offered the following inspired counsel in 2010:

"Where possible and appropriate, convene national or field conferences to provide opportunities for broader dialogue, understanding, and consent. In those gatherings, let the spirit of love, justice, and truth prevail." (Doctrine and Covenants 164:7d)

In accordance with what is now Doctrine and Covenants 164:7d, eight (8) conferences have been held on the matter. (These conferences affect 42 nations. Some of these nations do not have a church presence at this time.) with the first being Canada in 2012. Each conference voted to recommend policy changes in their respective countries that would allow ordained Community of Christ ministers in that country to perform same-sex weddings/civil partnerships/covenant commitments (depending on the laws in that country) as well as the ordination of Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ persons. 

At this time, these policies remain in their original interim form. For some countries, this means they have been operating with interim policies for eight (8) years.

Conferences held to date:

• Australia
• British Isles
• Canada
• Germany
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• United States
• Western Europe Mission Center 

Nations affected by the aforementioned policy changes (in alphabetical order):
(Some of these nations do not have a church presence at this time.)

• Albania
• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Commonwealth of Australia
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Kosovo
• Latvia
• Lichtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxemburg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Poland
• Romania
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• United States of America