UMC Annual Conference kicks Off In Ganta … Gay marriage, Others To Be Discussed

By Solomon T. Gaye, Sr.
Hundreds of United Methodist Church (UMC) worshippers, as well as other invited guests on Wednesday paraded through the main streets of Ganta City in Nimba County in observance of their 187th Liberia Annual Conference.
The conference has officially opened and is currently taking place at the Methodist school campus near the Public Works Yard. The former president of the UMC University now District # 9 Representative, Johnson Gwaikolo, has begun outlining several issues for discussion among which are gay marriage, education, among others.
Representative Gwaikolo said the United Methodist Church in Liberia will shortly issues a position statement to its partners worshipping with other Methodist churches in the world on the same sex marriage practiced in the Methodist churches in Liberia.
“Same sex marriage, shortage of teachers at various public schools, no money at the banks are among national serious issues that is hampering the smooth operations of this country,” Representative Gwaikolo admitted.
Representative Gwaikolo and District # 7 Representative Roger Domah are the only two lawmakers from the county attending the annual conference, though there are other lawmakers from other counties.
Many of the pastors and members delegates from various Methodist churches across the 15 counties and other parts of Africa including some western countries arrived in Ganta over the weekend for the event which is expected to last for a week with Bishop Samuel Quire Jr. serving as the presiding bishop.