Methodists end anti
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — It took just a few days for United Methodist delegates to remove a half-century’s worth of denominational bans on gay clergy and same-sex marriages.
But when asked at a news conference about the lightning speed of the changes, the Rev. Effie McAvoy took a longer view.
“Oh, it didn’t take days, honey,” she said.
It took decades of activism for a change that was “so very healing,” said McAvoy, pastor of Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church in Hope, Rhode Island. A member of the Queer Delegate Caucus at last week’s UMC General Conference in Charlotte, she was grateful to be part of the historic moment.
The reversals can be seen as marking the end of a half-century of epic battles and schisms over LGBTQ involvement — not only in the United Methodist Church but in U.S. mainline Protestant denominations overall. Those are the tall-steeple churches in myriad town squares and rural crossroads, traditionally “big-tent” and culturally mainstream congregations — some predating America’s independence.
Related articles
New York police arrest 300 pro
The New York Police Department (NYPD) officers have arrested nearly 300 pro-Palestinian protesters f2024-05-19'Monkey Man' review: Dev Patel's film is a political allegory bathed in blood
Has there been a more satisfying actor to watch mature on screen in recent years than Dev Patel? The2024-05-19Goldman, Brown families could be first in line for OJ Simpson's assets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — O.J. Simpson died Wednesday without having paid the lion’s share of the $33.5 mil2024-05-19Total solar eclipse 2024: Spectators stake their spots along the totality path
MESQUITE, Texas (AP) — Eclipse spectators staked out their spots across three countries Sunday, ferv2024-05-19Man charged in random attack on Steve Buscemi in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — A man wanted in connection with the random attack on actor Steve Buscemi on a New Yo2024-05-19Odysseus moon lander sends new images in its last hours
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A moon lander that ended up on its side managed to beam back more pictur2024-05-19
atest comment