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.
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Best quotes from Harry and Meghan's shocking Oprah interview
Thierry Henry predicts Phil Foden's stunning goal in 3
Scoop review: Netflix's Prince Andrew drama divides critics
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Harrison Ford rocks out with wife Calista Flockhart at Jimmy Buffet tribute concert in LA
Brooke Burke, 52, poses with her mini
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
Legendary CBS announcer Jim Nantz gets tongues wagging on social media after making an X