Human Sexuality

United Methodist Bishop LaTrelle Easterling speaks at the virtual Inclusiveness Conference, organized by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy. The leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference called on United Methodists not to back down from their commitment to dismantle racism. Photo by the Rev. Valerie L. Jackson, one of the event’s moderators.

Planning for a more inclusive church

A United Methodist conference focused on church efforts to dismantle racism, welcome LGBTQ people and cross international boundaries.

Local Church

Asbury Memorial Church in Savannah, Ga., is leaving The United Methodist Church in support of LGBTQ inclusion. The church, with more than 300 members, is the first since 2016 to leave expressly in opposition to the denomination’s bans on same-sex weddings and “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. Photo courtesy of Asbury Memorial Church.

Church exits denomination for LGBTQ equality

The United Methodist Church has seen multiple disaffiliations lately, but a Georgia church is the first in recent years to leave expressly in support of its LGBTQ members.

Local Church

Yavapai County Superior Court upheld the claim of the Desert Southwest Conference to keep property used by Camp Verde Community Church. The Camp Verde congregation departed The United Methodist Church in 2017. Photo courtesy of Find-A-Church, United Methodist Communications.

Desert Southwest's claim to property upheld

A judge’s order compelled the relocation of a congregation that withdrew from The United Methodist Church.

Local Church

The Mississippi Conference and the congregation of First Methodist Church in Louisville, Miss., reached a settlement in a lawsuit over church property filed in 2018 after a majority of the congregation voted to withdraw from The United Methodist Church. This file photo shows the church sign in 2018. Photo courtesy of First Methodist Church.

Mississippi church property dispute settled

The Mississippi Conference and a Louisville, Mississippi, congregation settled a 2-year lawsuit filed after most of the congregation voted to leave The United Methodist Church.

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