A decades-old debate, centered on positions that the LGBTQ community are allowed to hold within United Methodists Churches, has caused more than a fifth of U.S. congregations to leave the
United Methodist split: Alabama church leaders on moving forward from traumatizing period al.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from al.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The discussion over sexuality within the United Methodist Church has caused many congregations to exit. Nearly 200 churches disaffiliated from the North Alabama Conference of the UMC last year. But new congregations were formed.
Easter: Churches ready for resurrection
Updated 8:27 AM;
Today 7:21 AM
Worshippers gather on Easter Sunday morning, April 4, 2021, for an outdoor sunrise service at the Jefferson Memorial Gardens cemetery in Trussville. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)
Facebook Share
This year, many of them still will be.
For Easter 2021, there are signs of resurrection. Outdoor worship services are happening. So are cautious, limited indoor worship services.
At Central Community Christian Church in Montgomery, where they haven’t worshipped together in person since Feb. 23, 2020, the small congregation will meet in person on Easter morning at 10 a.m.
“Yes, we are going to open up this Sunday,” said the Rev. Robert C. Belcher, senior pastor of Central Community Christian Church. “We’re getting ready to start back.”