RNS-METHODIST-GAYS

Bishop Melvin Talbert joined 13 other United Methodist bishops at a gathering on May 4 outside the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida, where they showed their support for clergy in the denomination who choose to officiate at religious weddings of same-sex couples. Doing so is a violation of church rules, but Talbert said he preferred Biblical obedience even if it meant ecclesiasical disobedience. Photo by Paul Jeffrey/courteys UMNS

(RNS2-oct22) Bishop Melvin Talbert joined 13 other United Methodist bishops at a gathering on May 4 outside the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida, where they showed their support for clergy in the denomination who choose to officiate at religious weddings of same-sex couples. Doing so is a violation of church rules, but Talbert said he preferred Biblical obedience even if it meant ecclesiasical disobedience. For use with RNS-METHODIST-GAYS, transmitted on October 22, 2013, Photo by Paul Jeffrey/courteys UMNS

RNS METHODIST GAYS

(RNS2-MAY06) Delegates to the United Methodist Church’s 2004 General Conference in
Pittsburgh join hands during morning worship on May 6. See RNS-METHODIST-GAYS,
transmitted May 6, 2004. Photo by John C. Goodwin/United Methodist News Service.