CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday
They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.
That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Michael Jackson's iconic sequined 'Billie Jean' jacket
Chinese premier pledges efforts to promote equipment upgrades, trade
Festive holiday bodes well for tourism rebound
Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
iQIYI signs strategic partnership with Tourism Authority of Thailand
Horses show off in Versailles, keeping alive royal tradition on soon
Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh
Europe, China could be partners for boosting electrification in auto industry