Methodist Evangelicals Together (MET) has issued a response after the Church announced plans to consider allowing same sex weddings in its buildings.

The plans will be voted at its annual conference next month and again next year.

If passed all Methodist churches would be permitted to host the ceremonies but any minister could opt out.

In statement in response to the Marriage and Relationships Task Group report, a MET spokesperson said: [We are] committed to the Wesleyan convictions that the gospel is for all, that the Bible is our supreme rule of faith and practice, and that all Christians are called to holiness.

“We therefore uphold the biblical understanding of marriage as the life-long union of one man and one woman, and call upon the Church to do the same.

“We are carefully studying the report, noting that it is intended as a discussion starter rather than reaching definitive conclusions.”

Speaking to Premier last week, Rev Ken Howcroft who chairs the Marriage and Relationships Task Group said: “Whatever we say, there will be people who profoundly disagree with that and that’s the journey we’ve been on for all these years – in particular for the last 25 years or so.

“What we’re trying to do is to find a way in which we can deeply honour each other’s convictions.”

The Methodist Conference meets in Birmingham between 27th June and 4th July.

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At the General Assembly in Edinburgh, the Rt Rev Colin Sinclair took up the role of chairing the week-long event and representing the church throughout the year.

The gathering began with hymns, prayer and a reading of Acts 3 in which the disciple Peter heals a lame beggar, before the Rt Rev Susan Brown installed her successor.

Addressing the 700-strong congregation of ministers, deacons and elders, who are meeting in the capital to make decisions on Kirk policy and governance, Ms Brown spoke of her gratitude for the 12 months spent in the role of Moderator and said: “That great privilege now falls now to another.”

“It has been a year I will never forget, principle because of the people I have met in so many different capacities, including colleagues who have not only welcomed me but so graciously shared their stories with me,” she said.

With the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon watching on alongside Scotland’s Lord Provosts, the General Assembly approved the appointment of the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Addressing Mr Sinclair, Ms Brown said: “You care passionately about communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to people of all ages and all parts of the world. You love to see the difference faith in Christ makes to people’s lives – the impact both spiritually and physically.

“The great privilege and honour before you in this…

St Matthew and St Luke’s had invited members of the Muslim community for an event next month to mark Ramadan.

It also offered different rooms to allow segregated worship for men and women.

Following criticism from other church the leaders, the Diocese of Durham has now intervened and told the church it must not hold Islamic prayers in the church building.

Rt Rev Dr Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain to the Queen, is one of many to speak out.

Speaking to Premier, the Anglican Bishop of the Christian Episcopal Church in the UK said: “Clearly the motivation behind the event is very good. Anything that tries to get people together to understand each other and be good neighbors, is laudable and to be appreciated but it has to be done from a position of integrity.

Bishop Gavin has welcomed the intervention by the diocese but says he hopes lessons are learnt.

“They realise that the vicar made a silly mistake, but I’m glad it happened because it was raises in the public eye some important issues which people need to work through,” he said. “Islam and Christianity are not Abrahamic cousins in Middle Eastern religion. They’re actually antithetic to each other.”

It’s understood the event will go ahead, but prayers will be said elsewhere.

Premier has contacted St Matthew and St Luke’s and is waiting for a response.

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