Mississippi church a window into national gay rights debate

(AP) — On many Sundays, conservative Mississippi Republican Gov. Phil Bryant can be found in the sanctuary at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, almost always in his trademark suit and boots, often among those helping pass the offering plates.

In the same sanctuary — sometimes just a few wooden pews away — are Jan Smith and Donna Phillips, a same-sex couple who are also active in the suburban Jackson church and have a 9-year-old daughter named Hannah.

The couple has fought Mississippi's ban on gay adoptions while Bryant has opposed same-sex marriage and recently signed a bill allowing government workers, religious groups and some private businesses to cite deeply held religious beliefs to deny services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The juxtaposition of beliefs at this church in the Deep South is a window into a debate in much of the U.S. that sometimes puts friends, neighbors and even fellow church members at odds.

The United Methodist Church welcomes gay and lesbian members into the church but also says in its Book of Discipline that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."

The denomination does not allow openly gay clergy or allow its ministers to perform same-sex weddings.

Smith and Phillips are active in the children's programs at St. Mark's and Phillips is organizing Vacation Bible School this summer.