United Methodist Church embraces the LGBTQ after decades of division– amp.cnn.com

The church’s governing body marked a new era of LGBTQ inclusion by voting to lift the bans on LGBTQ clergy and on pastors performing same-sex unions. They also removed the language that said homosexuality was “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Many, including Woodworth, felt the changes were monumental.

“This change in our church law is so huge because it means that folks can choose to show up as who they really are and still choose to serve God,” she said.

Anjie Woodworth, who attended the meeting known as the “General Conference,” said she watched as, with each vote, many of her colleagues and friends dissolved into tears.