United Methodist expert on baptism, sacraments dies

by United Methodist News Service January 27, 2014

The Rev. Gayle Felton discusses a study on Holy Communion during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing Jan. 31, 2004, in Pittsburgh. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose

The Rev. Gayle C. Felton, 71, a clergy member of the North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference known for her published works on baptism and the sacraments, died Jan. 25.

Felton was the primary author of the 2004 denominational statement on Holy Communion, This Holy Mystery, and wroteBy Water and the Spirit, a study guide for the 1996 denominational statement on baptism.

She also taught at Duke Divinity School for more than a decade and was national board chair of the Reconciling Ministries Network. Services are planned at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary United Methodist Church in Durham, N.C., and at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Apex, N.C., United Methodist Church.

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