Mississippi church a window into national gay-rights debate

BRANDON, Miss. -- 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.

"Trust me -- the dichotomy of Phil Bryant and Jan and Donna sitting in the same sanctuary isn't lost on anyone," said Ann Pittman, who has been going to St. Mark's for 27 years.

"As for me, I'm of the opinion that what two grown folks do on their own time is none of my business."

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.

At St. Mark's, members say the conversation is usually cordial, even if there are some uncomfortable moments at a church that has roughly 1,200 members.

St. Mark's senior pastor Warren Coile said he believes the diversity of any church is a strength -- even if there are passionate disagreements about strongly-held beliefs.

"I believe that God always comes down on the side of grace," Coile said. "I hope that people here in our church do, too."

The United Methodist Church welcomes gay and lesbian members into the church but also says in its Book of Discipline "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.

Coile said he's comfortable with the church's current position on homosexuality. He notes Republican former president George W. Bush and current Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton have a background in the United Methodist Church.

"We need to at least be able to talk to one another about (social issues)," Coile said. "Sometimes we're at the point where we can't even talk about it."

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

They were among the plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit that resulted in a federal judge overturning Mississippi's ban on allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.

Phillips called Mississippi's recent legislation "disheartening" but also said she tries to keep politics and church separate.

She said she's hesitant to get too involved in the debate because she doesn't want to divide the church or make people feel as if they must choose sides.

"St. Mark's has been extremely welcoming," Phillips said. "We've never felt there was an issue about the matter and immediately inserted ourselves in everything where we wanted to be involved."

Bryant declined comment through a spokesman.

Becky Barnhill -- a 32-year-old who has been going to St. Mark's for about four years -- said she's never felt uncomfortable with expressing her opinion in the church, whether the topic is homosexuality or anything else.

"I think the diversity of the church is a good thing --it keeps everyone grounded and honest," Barnhill said. "Personally, I'm against the House bill. But then I hear people saying that (Gov. Bryant) is some kind of bad person, and that's not my experience at all."