Methodist minister will speak in Oak Ridge on denomination's LGBTQ decision

The Rev. Mark Flynn, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, will speak at the May 13 meeting of  PFLAG Oak Ridge about the significant changes made at the recent General Conference of United Methodist Churches affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and the impact on worldwide and local congregations.

The meeting will be at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Room 207. A news release asks that people use the Vienna Road entrance; the room is just off the Welcome Center. The group gathers at 6:45 p.m. for a short social time followed by the presentation at 7. The group adjourns at 8. All are welcome.

Oak Ridge has an active PFLAG group that meets monthly, rotating the venue among faith communities including the First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, and Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist churches, United Church Chapel on the Hill, and the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge.

PFLAG (formerly an acronym for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is the United States' largest organization uniting families and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Its mission is to provide opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation, gender identities, and to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Methodist minister will speak on denomination's LGBTQ decision