United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference
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.
Related articles
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
A long-planned series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States this weekend, with2024-05-21It really IS harder to say no to cake when you're fat, finds study of obese volunteers' brains
For some people, turning down a chocolate biscuit or piece of cake seems relatively easy while for o2024-05-21- LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 29-year-old suspect in a break-in at the home of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass l2024-05-21
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
LONDON (AP) — The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking2024-05-21Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Justin Timberlake is set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia next year.Daily Ma2024-05-21Bears GM Ryan Poles says 'tune in on Thursday' for No. 1 overall pick at the NFL draft
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears know who they’re taking with the No. 1 pick in the NFL dr2024-05-21
atest comment