United Methodist Church votes to allow Eurasian churches to leave denomination

Delegates at the United Methodist Church General Conference voted to allow a regional body based in Eastern Europe to disaffiliate from the denomination over theological issues. At the churchwide legislative meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, delegates voted on Thursday to approve Petition 21103 in a tally of 672 ayes to 67 nays, thus giving the Eurasian Episcopal Area, which has four annual conferences, autonomy. Bishop Eduard Khegay of the Eurasia Episcopal Area expressed his gratitude for the denomination, explaining that "I became a Christian because of The United Methodist Church." While overwhelmingly approved, some argued that the petition was unnecessary...