Methodists, Lutherans tackle gay issue

BLOOMINGTON (AP) -- Two mainline Protestant denominations are moving forward with discussions on the divisive issue of homosexuality.

The United Methodist Church, which has banned ordaining gays and lesbians, held its first dialogue on homosexuality during the April 28-May 3 Council of Bishops meeting in Bloomington. The goal was to provide a model for respectful dialogue about an issue many see as the denomination's most controversial.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's task force on sexuality held its first meeting May 3-5 in Chicago. The committee was formed to help the ELCA Churchwide Assembly make key decisions during its 2005 meeting on same-sex unions and gay and lesbian clergy.

The ELCA has no churchwide policy on the blessing of same-gender unions, but bars sexually active gays and lesbians from being ordained.

United Methodists: http://umc.org/index.asp

Evangelical Lutherans: http://www.elca.org/