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.
Serie A champion Inter facing a nervous wait as deadline passes for loan repayment to Oaktree
Ding, O'Sullivan among first inductees to inaugural World Billiards Hall of Fame
Cherry blossom in Yuyuantan Park, with the Central Television Tower as background
AI will continue to make waves in 2024
Night economy flourished at food street in Shaanxi
Xi Extends Condolences to Greek President over Deadly Train Collision
Zhangjiagang Port maintain operation all night to ensure that ships do not overwhelm the port
Australia's deputy prime minister pledges support to Solomon Islands during visit to Honiara
Xi's Love for the Yellow River
Adela Cernousek of Texas A&M wins NCAA individual golf title for first collegiate win
Xi Signs Presidential Order to Appoint Li Qiang as Premier