The United Methodist Church announced a proposalthat could split the church on issues related to their LGBTQ congregation.
"First off, it's not a done deal," said Rev. Janeann McIntosh of the First United Methodist Church of Wausau.
The congregation at her church in Wausau has hosted multiple discussions on the issue after a closed session vote continued the ban of LGBTQ marriages and clergy.
"We were literally aghast," said Rev. McIntosh. "We have a variety of theologies, people are very conservative, people are very progressive, and... for many of them [supporting LGBTQ members] is a non-issue as well."
Just across the river in Wausau at Wesley United Methodist Church, Rev. Ethan Lowell Larson supports the traditionalist perspective. At his church, "the discussion has been, well, we made the vote," he said. "We as a denomination have settled it."
The discussion has been ongoing for years for the international United Methodist Denomination. "That seems to be what most people know about the United Methodist Church right now," Rev. Larson said. "We have been arguing about something for 45 years."
He anticipates the new proposal will pass in May, allowing LGBTQ people to be married and ordained in the United Methodist faith. Those with Rev. Larson's perspective will be part of a new, "Traditionalist" denomination.
Both reverends say they respect each other's beliefs and appreciate the space for continuing conversations.
