Methodist and gay marriage
Bishop Karen Oliveto is retiring in a few months as a United Methodist bishop.
Oliveto was passionate saying those words aloud. As the church's first openly gay bishop, her path was not always certain.
"Every noun of my ministry, I've had to wonder, is this the day my ordination will be taken from me?" Oliveto said.
That is, until this year's United Methodist General Conference, the church's global legislative body, voted to overturn every ban on LGBTQ people. The historic changes incorporate a new definition of marriage as a lifelong covenant between "two people of faith," rather than solely between a man and a woman, and a repeal of its ban on LGBTQ clergy.
The General Conference also struck down a year-old stance on homosexuality being "incompatible with Christian teaching."
"To catch someone say, 'we need to repent of the verb we've done.' I didn't realize my body was waiting for that," said Oliveto.
The changes, which are effective immediately, open new doors for LGBTQ members. One year-old, who wished to leave by J.M., is working toward becoming ordained as a deacon in the Unite
United Methodist Church will allow LGBTQ clergy, after year ban
BBC News, Washington
The United Methodist Church voted Wednesday to allow LGBTQ clergy to work for in the church, reversing a year ban.
The church had forbidden "self-avowed homosexuals" from being ordained or appointed as clergy members.
But during a national conference this week, delegates voted to overturn the ban without debate.
People at the conference in North Carolina sang hymns in celebration after the vote, the church said.
Attendees also eased restrictions on gay marriage, passing a measure to prevent clergy and churches from being penalized for performing or declining to perform same-sex weddings.
"With the approvals and acceptance of the things todaywe're beginning to observe the unwinding, unravelling, dismantling of the heterosexism, the homophobia, the hurt and the harm of the United Methodist Church," Rev David Meredith said to United Methodist News.
Conservative members and congregations have left the denomination in recent y
Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote
The Methodist Church has become the largest religious denomination in Britain to permit same-sex marriages.
A vote to change the definition of marriage at the Methodist Conference on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed by in favour with 46 against.
Freedom of conscience clauses mean ministers will not be forced to conduct such weddings if they oppose the move.
Same-sex marriage is not allowed in the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church.
However it is welcomed in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Reformed Church and the Quakers in Britain.
The Methodist Church is Britain's fourth largest Christian denomination with about , members across more than 4, churches.
Church officials hope the first same-sex weddings in Methodist chapels will take place in the autumn.
The Rev Sam McBratney, chair of the Dignity and Worth campaign group, said it was a "momentous step on the road to justice" after many years of "painful conversations".
Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: The United Methodist Church
In May , the General Conference voted to remove longstanding bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the celebration of same-sex marriages by clergy and in churches. These changes became fully effective on January 1,
BACKGROUND
The UMC traces its origins to the Methodist movement initiated in the midth century by Anglican priest John Wesley and his brother Charles. The current structure of the UMC was established in through the union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The church is founded on three basic principles:
- Do no harm.
- Do good.
- Practice the ordinances of God, including prayer, Bible reading, worship, and the Lord's Supper.
The global church structure mirrors the United States government with legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch, the General Conference, meets every four years to put church policy. Approximately 1, delegates (half lay leaders, half clergy) gather to consider revisions to the Book of Resolutions and the Book of D