Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/">Smoky Hill Museum</a>. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I have a genuine interest in the education of our young people," said Irene Carlson, the first woman president of Brown Mackie School and one of the first Kansans to serve on the&nbsp; State Board of Education of Kansas.&nbsp;

Throughout the 20th century, male professors outnumbered women at the college level. Nevertheless, the number of women students and professors increased steadily. However, white men chiefly held leadership roles such as provost, vice president and president.&nbsp;

Women in academia faced many challenges. Negative views about assertive women forced them to conform to meek stereotypes. An attitude that women were inadequate also permeated universities. 

Even with societal changes such as the equal rights movement, the Civil Rights Act and Title IX, opportunities for women remained limited. In the late 1960s and 1970s, it was nationally newsworthy if a woman rose to a position of power.

Irene J. Carlson preferred a career outside the home. Carlson proudly identified as a 'liberated woman' accustomed to navigating a 'man's world.'&nbsp;This&nbsp;began in the 1930s at the University of Kansas Business School, where she was one of the few female students in the field.&nbsp;

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9d726f9a-c065-4baf-ae6a-e3261df3f20a">📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - Cora Walker Shelton - Vol. 39</a>

In 1938, the KU Business School director recommended Carlson to A.B. Mackie, President of Brown Mackie School of Business. Mackie hired Carlson as a secretary. For decades, she actively weighed in on the strategic development of curriculum and the recruitment of students.&nbsp;

After years of dedication, Carlson reached the noteworthy position of college president in 1964.&nbsp;A&nbsp;role seldom occupied by women during that era.&nbsp;This breakthrough paved the way for other women.

Beyond the college doors, Carlson remained steadfastly dedicated to her community. She eagerly sought ways to serve. Despite facing obstacles,&nbsp;she&nbsp;spent 12 years on USD 305's Board of Education&nbsp;starting&nbsp;in the 1950s. 

She played a pivotal role in&nbsp;the establishment of&nbsp;Salina Central High School, South Junior High School, several elementary schools and a&nbsp;special&nbsp;education center.&nbsp;

Although offered the&nbsp;presidency of the board, she declined.&nbsp;Carlson bowed to societal norms that frowned upon women in leadership roles.&nbsp;

However,&nbsp;Carlson's voice was never silenced. She paved her&nbsp;own&nbsp;way into the local Men's Coffee Club, which met weekly at Neely's Café, where&nbsp;local issues were solved.

In 1969, Carlson ran for the Kansas State Board of Education. At the time, this board oversaw business schools, junior colleges and vocational schools, and secondary and elementary education. Carlson was non-partisan and backed by students, alums and their families statewide. She won by an overwhelming vote, representing 19 counties.

Under Carlson's leadership,&nbsp;around 22,000 students received a quality education. 

In the 1970s, President Carlson brought a significant course change to Brown Mackie College. She phased out a gender-focused curriculum and implemented the Irene Carlson Finishing Course.

Before this, women were encouraged to enroll in the Nancy Taylor Finishing School. These classes focused on manners and etiquette. Men, on the other hand, took the Mr. Executive Management Course. The new course covered business management practices for both men and women.

LISTEN MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a4ae1628-a59c-4277-9c43-642e9d31c303">🎙King in the Community: Susan Hawksworth, Smoky Hill Museum director</a>

Find out more about Carlson's story and the legacies of other remarkable Salina women at the Smoky Hill Museum's newest exhibit titled,&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e1b0971b-8be5-4964-89a2-426f265584aa" target="_blank">"Step up to the Task"</a>&nbsp;running from April 12 - Oct. 5

All exhibits at the Smoky Hill Museum are free to the public.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691164615840.png" alt="Flashback Friday Logo" />
 <figcaption>Flashback Friday Logo</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/">Smoky Hill Museum</a>. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712951451743.png" alt="Step up to the Task" />
 <figcaption>Step up to the Task</figcaption>
 </figure>"I have a genuine interest in the education of our young people," said Irene Carlson, the first woman president of Brown Mackie School and one of the first Kansans to serve on the&nbsp; State Board of Education of Kansas.&nbsp;<h2>Women in Academia</h2>Throughout the 20th century, male professors outnumbered women at the college level. Nevertheless, the number of women students and professors increased steadily. However, white men chiefly held leadership roles such as provost, vice president and president.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714768332145.jpeg" alt="Irene Nelson Carlson" />
 <figcaption>Irene Nelson Carlson</figcaption>
 </figure>Women in academia faced many challenges. Negative views about assertive women forced them to conform to meek stereotypes. An attitude that women were inadequate also permeated universities. Even with societal changes such as the equal rights movement, the Civil Rights Act and Title IX, opportunities for women remained limited. In the late 1960s and 1970s, it was nationally newsworthy if a woman rose to a position of power.<h2>In Command</h2>Irene J. Carlson preferred a career outside the home. Carlson proudly identified as a 'liberated woman' accustomed to navigating a 'man's world.'&nbsp;This&nbsp;began in the 1930s at the University of Kansas Business School, where she was one of the few female students in the field.&nbsp;READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9d726f9a-c065-4baf-ae6a-e3261df3f20a">📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - Cora Walker Shelton - Vol. 39</a>In 1938, the KU Business School director recommended Carlson to A.B. Mackie, President of Brown Mackie School of Business. Mackie hired Carlson as a secretary. For decades, she actively weighed in on the strategic development of curriculum and the recruitment of students.&nbsp;After years of dedication, Carlson reached the noteworthy position of college president in 1964.&nbsp;A&nbsp;role seldom occupied by women during that era.&nbsp;This breakthrough paved the way for other women.<h2>Civic&nbsp;Minded</h2>Beyond the college doors, Carlson remained steadfastly dedicated to her community. She eagerly sought ways to serve. Despite facing obstacles,&nbsp;she&nbsp;spent 12 years on USD 305's Board of Education&nbsp;starting&nbsp;in the 1950s. She played a pivotal role in&nbsp;the establishment of&nbsp;Salina Central High School, South Junior High School, several elementary schools and a&nbsp;special&nbsp;education center.&nbsp;Although offered the&nbsp;presidency of the board, she declined.&nbsp;Carlson bowed to societal norms that frowned upon women in leadership roles.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;Carlson's voice was never silenced. She paved her&nbsp;own&nbsp;way into the local Men's Coffee Club, which met weekly at Neely's Café, where&nbsp;local issues were solved.In 1969, Carlson ran for the Kansas State Board of Education. At the time, this board oversaw business schools, junior colleges and vocational schools, and secondary and elementary education. Carlson was non-partisan and backed by students, alums and their families statewide. She won by an overwhelming vote, representing 19 counties.<h2>Equal Offerings</h2>Under Carlson's leadership,&nbsp;around 22,000 students received a quality education. In the 1970s, President Carlson brought a significant course change to Brown Mackie College. She phased out a gender-focused curriculum and implemented the Irene Carlson Finishing Course.Before this, women were encouraged to enroll in the Nancy Taylor Finishing School. These classes focused on manners and etiquette. Men, on the other hand, took the Mr. Executive Management Course. The new course covered business management practices for both men and women.LISTEN MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a4ae1628-a59c-4277-9c43-642e9d31c303">🎙King in the Community: Susan Hawksworth, Smoky Hill Museum director</a>Find out more about Carlson's story and the legacies of other remarkable Salina women at the Smoky Hill Museum's newest exhibit titled,&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e1b0971b-8be5-4964-89a2-426f265584aa" target="_blank">"Step up to the Task"</a>&nbsp;running from April 12 - Oct. 5All exhibits at the Smoky Hill Museum are free to the public.&nbsp;

📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - Irene Nelson Carlson - Vol. 40

<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina's</a>&nbsp;student-led chapter of Pilots For Kids, an international nonprofit organization, brought joy and gifts to hospitalized youth in Wichita.

The students recently traveled to Wesley Medical Center to visit more than 40 hospitalized children, ranging from infants to teenagers. They brought gift bags that included toys and&nbsp;special&nbsp;K-State Salina pilot shirts for the kids.

The K-State Salina Pilots For Kids chapter collected more than $2,000 in donations to provide gifts to the children in this project.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2a3112e7-837c-4f7e-a311-df8dc6cf0aba">🎙King in the Community: K-State Salina Dean and CEO Alysia Starkey</a>

"Whenever you begin to use your passion in the service of other people, then it becomes a purpose," said Jack Byrne, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita, and lead organizer of the effort. "This is a&nbsp;really&nbsp;incredible way for our students&nbsp;to not just develop&nbsp;the academic skills of becoming a pilot, which is what&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;of them are here for, but to go outside into the community and use that passion for the good of others."

K-State Salina's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/housing/learning-community/">Professional Pilot Living Learning Community</a>,&nbsp;which consists of 25 students in the professional pilot program, have all become members of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pilotsforkids.org/">Pilots For Kids</a>&nbsp;to help bring joy to hospitalized children and share their passion for aviation with them.

The Pilots For Kids operation&nbsp;is dedicated&nbsp;to helping hospitalized children by visiting the youth in hospitals and bringing toys and other needed items to each child.&nbsp;The organization includes&nbsp;major, national and regional airline crewmembers; corporate, military and private pilots; and aviation enthusiasts.

"Through this program, students are learning the process of making the project come to fruition, where they're learning about getting transportation solidified and working on things like budgets to be able to buy the kids all the amazing things that we want to support them with," said Alyssa Wendel, director of K-State Salina student affairs. "Our students are learning to see the whole process come to life from start to finish."

K-State Salina plans to continue its Pilots For Kids program in the coming months. Planning and fundraising processes have already begun for a future visit. Visit the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/clubs-organizations/pilots-for-kids/">Pilots For Kids website</a>&nbsp;to learn more and to donate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714743805852.jpeg" alt="K-State Salina aviation students in the Pilots For Kids organization recently visited hospitalized children at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>K-State Salina aviation students in the Pilots For Kids organization recently visited hospitalized children at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina's</a>&nbsp;student-led chapter of Pilots For Kids, an international nonprofit organization, brought joy and gifts to hospitalized youth in Wichita.The students recently traveled to Wesley Medical Center to visit more than 40 hospitalized children, ranging from infants to teenagers. They brought gift bags that included toys and&nbsp;special&nbsp;K-State Salina pilot shirts for the kids.The K-State Salina Pilots For Kids chapter collected more than $2,000 in donations to provide gifts to the children in this project.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2a3112e7-837c-4f7e-a311-df8dc6cf0aba">🎙King in the Community: K-State Salina Dean and CEO Alysia Starkey</a>"Whenever you begin to use your passion in the service of other people, then it becomes a purpose," said Jack Byrne, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita, and lead organizer of the effort. "This is a&nbsp;really&nbsp;incredible way for our students&nbsp;to not just develop&nbsp;the academic skills of becoming a pilot, which is what&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;of them are here for, but to go outside into the community and use that passion for the good of others."K-State Salina's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/housing/learning-community/">Professional Pilot Living Learning Community</a>,&nbsp;which consists of 25 students in the professional pilot program, have all become members of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pilotsforkids.org/">Pilots For Kids</a>&nbsp;to help bring joy to hospitalized children and share their passion for aviation with them. The Pilots For Kids operation&nbsp;is dedicated&nbsp;to helping hospitalized children by visiting the youth in hospitals and bringing toys and other needed items to each child.&nbsp;The organization includes&nbsp;major, national and regional airline crewmembers; corporate, military and private pilots; and aviation enthusiasts."Through this program, students are learning the process of making the project come to fruition, where they're learning about getting transportation solidified and working on things like budgets to be able to buy the kids all the amazing things that we want to support them with," said Alyssa Wendel, director of K-State Salina student affairs. "Our students are learning to see the whole process come to life from start to finish."K-State Salina plans to continue its Pilots For Kids program in the coming months. Planning and fundraising processes have already begun for a future visit. Visit the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/clubs-organizations/pilots-for-kids/">Pilots For Kids website</a>&nbsp;to learn more and to donate.

K-State Salina aviation student project raises donations for hospitalized children

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.

The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.

The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.

It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.

But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.

“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.

But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.

“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”

The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”

The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."

It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.

A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.

After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.

“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”

Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.

The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.

The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.

The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."

The new version omits this phrase and describes “human sexuality as a sacred gift” and a “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” It doesn't say anything about restricting sexual activity to marriage. It does say people have the right to consent to sex and condemns sexual harassment and exploitation and opposes pornography as “destructive.”

The new version calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.

Thursday’s change is particularly significant because the “incompatible” clause dates back to the beginning of the 52-year-old debate on LGBTQ issues within one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. The phrasing was adopted on the floor of the 1972 General Conference via an amendment proposed by a delegate, added to the original draft statement that had said “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”

The denomination had been revising and adding to the Social Principles for decades; this amounts to the first wholesale rewrite in many years. Other revisions were approved earlier this week.

The drafters chose general language because the denomination spans countries and cultures, said John Hill, interim general secretary at the Board of Church and Society, at a news conference earlier this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714692325534.png" alt="Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News." />
 <figcaption>Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."The new version omits this phrase and describes “human sexuality as a sacred gift” and a “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” It doesn't say anything about restricting sexual activity to marriage. It does say people have the right to consent to sex and condemns sexual harassment and exploitation and opposes pornography as “destructive.”The new version calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.Thursday’s change is particularly significant because the “incompatible” clause dates back to the beginning of the 52-year-old debate on LGBTQ issues within one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. The phrasing was adopted on the floor of the 1972 General Conference via an amendment proposed by a delegate, added to the original draft statement that had said “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”The denomination had been revising and adding to the Social Principles for decades; this amounts to the first wholesale rewrite in many years. Other revisions were approved earlier this week.The drafters chose general language because the denomination spans countries and cultures, said John Hill, interim general secretary at the Board of Church and Society, at a news conference earlier this week.

United Methodists remove anti-gay language from their official teachings on societal issues

Seventy-five years after the end of WWII, Mildred Schindler Janzen, 95 of Ellsworth, Kansas, finally decided to tell her story. Janzen was a teenager when Russian soldiers invaded their peaceful family farm in the German countryside and changed the course of her life forever.

Janzen’s memoir, published in late 2020 by Sunbury Press, recounts her experiences as a refugee including separating from her family, coming to America alone as a teenager, finding love, and living the good life. The secret to her abundant joy is revealed in Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin: One Woman’s Remarkable Escape from Nazi Germany.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Janzen will make an appearance at Presbyterian Manor to meet with the residents who have read her memoir, answer questions about her experiences in WWII, and sign copies of her book. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7.

“I wish to leave a testimony for the younger American generation that is coming of age at this present time. Do not ever take the legacy of your birthright for granted. Oppose evil at every opportunity. Speak out against injustice. Most importantly, pay attention in your history class. History can repeat itself; many of my generation bear witness to that fact,” Janzen said.

Mississippi writer, Sherye Green, partnered with Janzen to write her riveting memoir. Along with Mildred, Green was named the winner of the 2021 Mississippi Library Association Author Award-Nonfiction for the memoir.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/4927f8af-f0b2-43da-930b-9aaedc34154a">Saline County Commission approves new pretrial software, RFD Three land purchase</a>

“What a privilege it has been to get to know and to work with Mildred,” Green says. “Her story, set against the backdrop of a little-known period of World War II, is an eyewitness testimony to history you will not want to miss.”

Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin won the 2020 and 2021 “Sunny Award” from Sunbury Press in for the book in each imprint that “had the biggest impact or the greatest reach.” 

Janzen received the National Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), their highest national award, and another DAR medal for Women in History. 

The memoir was named a 2021 American Book Fest – Best Book Award Finalist for Autobiographies &amp; Memoirs and won a silver medal in the 2022 Illumination Book Awards: Biography/Memoir-Inspiration. A short documentary, Mildred’s Escape, has also won ten awards in film festivals worldwide.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714675400811.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTSeventy-five years after the end of WWII, Mildred Schindler Janzen, 95 of Ellsworth, Kansas, finally decided to tell her story. Janzen was a teenager when Russian soldiers invaded their peaceful family farm in the German countryside and changed the course of her life forever.Janzen’s memoir, published in late 2020 by Sunbury Press, recounts her experiences as a refugee including separating from her family, coming to America alone as a teenager, finding love, and living the good life. The secret to her abundant joy is revealed in Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin: One Woman’s Remarkable Escape from Nazi Germany.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>Janzen will make an appearance at Presbyterian Manor to meet with the residents who have read her memoir, answer questions about her experiences in WWII, and sign copies of her book. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7.“I wish to leave a testimony for the younger American generation that is coming of age at this present time. Do not ever take the legacy of your birthright for granted. Oppose evil at every opportunity. Speak out against injustice. Most importantly, pay attention in your history class. History can repeat itself; many of my generation bear witness to that fact,” Janzen said.Mississippi writer, Sherye Green, partnered with Janzen to write her riveting memoir. Along with Mildred, Green was named the winner of the 2021 Mississippi Library Association Author Award-Nonfiction for the memoir.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/4927f8af-f0b2-43da-930b-9aaedc34154a">Saline County Commission approves new pretrial software, RFD Three land purchase</a>“What a privilege it has been to get to know and to work with Mildred,” Green says. “Her story, set against the backdrop of a little-known period of World War II, is an eyewitness testimony to history you will not want to miss.”Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin won the 2020 and 2021 “Sunny Award” from Sunbury Press in for the book in each imprint that “had the biggest impact or the greatest reach.” Janzen received the National Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), their highest national award, and another DAR medal for Women in History. The memoir was named a 2021 American Book Fest – Best Book Award Finalist for Autobiographies &amp; Memoirs and won a silver medal in the 2022 Illumination Book Awards: Biography/Memoir-Inspiration. A short documentary, Mildred’s Escape, has also won ten awards in film festivals worldwide.

World War II survivor to visit residents at Presbyterian Manor

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina Post

After a week's break for the Saline County Commission, all five commissioners tackled a lengthy agenda on Tuesday, April 23, not in action items but rather in information and budget requests.

Board of County Commissioners present on Tuesday, April 23: District One — Monte Shadwick District Two — Robert Vidricksen District Three — Rodger Sparks District Four — James Weese District Five — Chairman Joe Hay Jr.

Before the commission's regular consent agenda consideration, the county celebrated seven students as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=373s">Oliver Haag Scholarship</a> recipients.

Two Southeast of Saline students, two Ell-Saline Junior/Senior High School students, two Salina South High School students and a Salina Central High School student received the scholarship, representing each public school in the county.

"Very proud of these students. I know that Oliver Haag would be very, very proud that they're carrying on his wishes," Hay said. "So again, congratulations and apply next year."

The Oliver Haag scholarship is a renewing scholarship for students, so each year, students can reapply to continue funding their college educations.

Commissioners unanimously passed the consent agenda with approval for regular payroll and tax adjustments, alongside approving multiple contract agreements.

Some of those contracts included an agreement with ARD Mowing, LLC, for lawn care at the Saline County Court Services, another for Design Nine's Broadband Community Assessment and two community corrections agreements.

The first of only two action items for the day was considering a new court systems software titled Catalis Pretrial Software. Saline County Community Corrections Director Michelle Callam presented the software to commissioners.

Callam provided the history of the young Community Corrections Pretrial Program, with the department first utilizing another pretrial information software system that did not suit the office's needs.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/b2e10a55-53f6-4da6-88f1-364adf170d59">Meet Crenshaw — 28th Judicial District's newest employee</a>

"We had a software program that we tried out, but it didn't work out for us," Callam said. "When we got rid of that, we had to go back to the old way of gathering data and documenting what was going on with our clients,&nbsp;which is&nbsp;a series of about 15 Excel spreadsheets."

After several meetings between the Pretrial Program Director Cory Ward, Callam, the IT staff and staff from Catalis, Community Corrections decided to pursue the software and ask for the Commissioners' approval.

The software engineers behind Catalis built a program specifically for pretrial information, and Callam said it would allow the program to do more with the data it already collects.

Callam said the software's total cost would be $12,000 per year, and the&nbsp;remainder of the office's Justice Assistance Grant will fund the new software, but past the end of the Federal fiscal year, the county would continue paying the bill.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=972s">Commissioners deliberated the subject </a>but ultimately passed Callam's request 4-1, with Weis voting against it.

The next action item included a land purchase from the City of Brookville for Rural Fire District (RFD) Three in town. RFD Three Chief Scott Abker presented the approval request to commissioners.

Abker said the City of Brookville agreed to sell 42,989 square feet of property in the northeast corner of Anderson and Meier streets to the RFD for $10,750.

LISTEN MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0e853368-4ed4-4804-a343-83affd806ce2">🎙King in the Community: Rebecca Seeman, Saline County Registrar of Deeds</a>

The first question on the topic came from Hay. He asked when construction might begin for the project after the purchase, which remains undetermined while RFD Three continues to plan.

"We've had three meetings with the architect already, and we're in the process of trying to finalize our building so we can determine what our costs will be," Abker said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=1742s">Vidricksen commented next</a>, referencing an earlier statement that the county's spending has increased about 35% since he began his seat on the commission board.

"I wanted to continue to emphasize that the cost through the Rural Fire Districts does not cost the county any money," Vidricksen said. "The tax money is from the district&nbsp;that they&nbsp;live in&nbsp;and&nbsp;that's where that money comes from. Although it was ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] money that we granted to you, I think it's a pretty good expenditure of that money."

The pool of cash that RFD Three will use is from a $95,000 allocation of ARPA dollars, and with the added cost of title insurance and deed recording fees, that cost jumps to a maximum of about $30,000 total.

Vidricksen pointed out that about $60,000 will not be enough to build a new fire station. Still, Abker reported that his office is currently working on grant applications and communicating with future donors to help fund the new building.

Commissioners approved the purchase request 5-0.

The first informational item commissioners tackled was a quarterly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2162s">update from Saline County Senior Services</a>. Rosie Walter, the department director, provided the update.

Walter reported a few accomplishments, including the total number of meals the department served senior residents from January to March 2024, 28,501.&nbsp;

In 2022, the department served 25,503 meals in that same period.

After Walter's update, multiple organizations visited the podium to ask for budget allocations, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2556s">including the City of Salina</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2768s">Community Corrections</a>, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=3556s">Kansas Horse Council</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=4289s">Salina Area Chamber of Commerce with the Military Affairs Council</a>, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=4761s">Tri-Rivers Fair Board</a> and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=5257s">North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging</a>.

Once each organization presented the various programs for which they sought funding, Saline County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes presented the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=5731s">First Quarter Budget Update</a> to commissioners.

Smith-Hanes reported that the first quarter of the 2024 budget compared similarly to the 2023 budget.

The commissioners then held a concept <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=6099s">discussion of elected officials' pay</a> and moved into executive session for a meeting with non-elected personnel.

The April 23 meeting marked the fourth County Commission meeting for the month, so the next Saline County meeting will be Tuesday, May 7, at its regular time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697467290838.jpeg" alt="The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina PostAfter a week's break for the Saline County Commission, all five commissioners tackled a lengthy agenda on Tuesday, April 23, not in action items but rather in information and budget requests.Board of County Commissioners present on Tuesday, April 23: District One — Monte Shadwick District Two — Robert Vidricksen District Three — Rodger Sparks District Four — James Weese District Five — Chairman Joe Hay Jr.Before the commission's regular consent agenda consideration, the county celebrated seven students as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=373s">Oliver Haag Scholarship</a> recipients.Two Southeast of Saline students, two Ell-Saline Junior/Senior High School students, two Salina South High School students and a Salina Central High School student received the scholarship, representing each public school in the county."Very proud of these students. I know that Oliver Haag would be very, very proud that they're carrying on his wishes," Hay said. "So again, congratulations and apply next year."The Oliver Haag scholarship is a renewing scholarship for students, so each year, students can reapply to continue funding their college educations.Commissioners unanimously passed the consent agenda with approval for regular payroll and tax adjustments, alongside approving multiple contract agreements.Some of those contracts included an agreement with ARD Mowing, LLC, for lawn care at the Saline County Court Services, another for Design Nine's Broadband Community Assessment and two community corrections agreements.<h2>Catalis Pretrial Software</h2>The first of only two action items for the day was considering a new court systems software titled Catalis Pretrial Software. Saline County Community Corrections Director Michelle Callam presented the software to commissioners.Callam provided the history of the young Community Corrections Pretrial Program, with the department first utilizing another pretrial information software system that did not suit the office's needs.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/b2e10a55-53f6-4da6-88f1-364adf170d59">Meet Crenshaw — 28th Judicial District's newest employee</a>"We had a software program that we tried out, but it didn't work out for us," Callam said. "When we got rid of that, we had to go back to the old way of gathering data and documenting what was going on with our clients,&nbsp;which is&nbsp;a series of about 15 Excel spreadsheets."After several meetings between the Pretrial Program Director Cory Ward, Callam, the IT staff and staff from Catalis, Community Corrections decided to pursue the software and ask for the Commissioners' approval.The software engineers behind Catalis built a program specifically for pretrial information, and Callam said it would allow the program to do more with the data it already collects.Callam said the software's total cost would be $12,000 per year, and the&nbsp;remainder of the office's Justice Assistance Grant will fund the new software, but past the end of the Federal fiscal year, the county would continue paying the bill.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=972s">Commissioners deliberated the subject </a>but ultimately passed Callam's request 4-1, with Weis voting against it.<h2>Rural Fire District Three Land Purchase</h2>The next action item included a land purchase from the City of Brookville for Rural Fire District (RFD) Three in town. RFD Three Chief Scott Abker presented the approval request to commissioners.Abker said the City of Brookville agreed to sell 42,989 square feet of property in the northeast corner of Anderson and Meier streets to the RFD for $10,750.LISTEN MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0e853368-4ed4-4804-a343-83affd806ce2">🎙King in the Community: Rebecca Seeman, Saline County Registrar of Deeds</a>The first question on the topic came from Hay. He asked when construction might begin for the project after the purchase, which remains undetermined while RFD Three continues to plan."We've had three meetings with the architect already, and we're in the process of trying to finalize our building so we can determine what our costs will be," Abker said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=1742s">Vidricksen commented next</a>, referencing an earlier statement that the county's spending has increased about 35% since he began his seat on the commission board."I wanted to continue to emphasize that the cost through the Rural Fire Districts does not cost the county any money," Vidricksen said. "The tax money is from the district&nbsp;that they&nbsp;live in&nbsp;and&nbsp;that's where that money comes from. Although it was ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] money that we granted to you, I think it's a pretty good expenditure of that money."The pool of cash that RFD Three will use is from a $95,000 allocation of ARPA dollars, and with the added cost of title insurance and deed recording fees, that cost jumps to a maximum of about $30,000 total.Vidricksen pointed out that about $60,000 will not be enough to build a new fire station. Still, Abker reported that his office is currently working on grant applications and communicating with future donors to help fund the new building.Commissioners approved the purchase request 5-0.<h2>Informational items</h2>The first informational item commissioners tackled was a quarterly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2162s">update from Saline County Senior Services</a>. Rosie Walter, the department director, provided the update.Walter reported a few accomplishments, including the total number of meals the department served senior residents from January to March 2024, 28,501.&nbsp;In 2022, the department served 25,503 meals in that same period.After Walter's update, multiple organizations visited the podium to ask for budget allocations, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2556s">including the City of Salina</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=2768s">Community Corrections</a>, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=3556s">Kansas Horse Council</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=4289s">Salina Area Chamber of Commerce with the Military Affairs Council</a>, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=4761s">Tri-Rivers Fair Board</a> and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=5257s">North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging</a>.Once each organization presented the various programs for which they sought funding, Saline County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes presented the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=5731s">First Quarter Budget Update</a> to commissioners.Smith-Hanes reported that the first quarter of the 2024 budget compared similarly to the 2023 budget.The commissioners then held a concept <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0LkEZ-Q84&amp;t=6099s">discussion of elected officials' pay</a> and moved into executive session for a meeting with non-elected personnel.The April 23 meeting marked the fourth County Commission meeting for the month, so the next Saline County meeting will be Tuesday, May 7, at its regular time.<h2>05/07/2024 Meeting Agenda</h2><ol>
 <li>Agency Budget Request Presentations</li><li>Road and Bridge Update</li><li>Audit Presentation</li><li>HMA Overlay Bid Award</li><li>Forestry Mulcher Attachment Bid Award</li><li>2024 Pipe Lining Bid Award</li>
 </ol>

Saline County Commission approves new pretrial software, RFD Three land purchase

<a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER </a>K-State Research and Extension news service

Depending on the job, some people may have to complete a fitness test to prove that they can complete what will be required of them to be successful.

For bulls whose job it is to breed cows, the fitness test often comes in the form of a breeding soundness exam completed by a veterinarian in the weeks ahead of pasture turnout, say the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-bulls-fail-breeding-exam">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said there are several components to a breeding soundness exam.

“With that exam, we make sure the bull is in good body condition and that his feet and legs are sound. We also palpate the scrotum and observe his penis to be sure it moves freely. And then we test a semen sample to assess the quality of the sperm he is producing,” Larson said.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/34c0200d-54c2-42ed-8c22-c5b544676d44">Dry fields contribute to damage by alfalfa weevils, says K-State entomologist</a>

Relating to the semen sample, K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers explained what the base criteria are for the semen to pass.

“We want 70% of the bull’s sperm cells to be normal morphology and 30% of those cells to have a normal, forward-progressive motility,” Lubbers said.

These tests are typically done in the spring before the bulls are turned out into breeding pastures with the females.

Unfortunately, not all bulls pass their breeding soundness exam. That can happen for a variety of reasons, said the veterinarians.

So that begs the question: What should producers do with a bull who fails the exam?

“It really depends on the age of the bull and why he failed,” Lubbers said.

If the bull is around 12 months of age and he fails on semen quality, Larson recommends producers retest the bull in a few weeks.

“Because of the cattle breeds that we have in the U.S., I don’t expect all bulls will be fertile at 12 months of age, but by the time they are 15 months old, their age should not be a limiting factor,” Larson said.

Lubbers said there are some health challenges relating to a bull’s movement that can cause him to fail on exam day, but as he recovers that should not be a barrier to him passing a future evaluation.

“If he has a foot abscess, he will fail the exam but that is easy to treat and his prognosis of being able to return to breeding is good,” Lubbers said. “However, if he only has 20% normal sperm under the microscope, he may never pass. And that is why some fails are different than others.”

To hear the full discussion, listen to&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-bulls-fail-breeding-exam">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;on your preferred streaming platform.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/95a4c0cb-94f9-49fc-b6f3-0949cee40f68">North Central Kansas counties prepare for 'Big Kansas Road Trip'</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714569477275.jpeg" alt="K-State veterinarians offer recommendations about how to manage a bull if he doesn’t pass his breeding soundness exam." />
 <figcaption>K-State veterinarians offer recommendations about how to manage a bull if he doesn’t pass his breeding soundness exam.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:lmoser@ksu.edu">By LISA MOSER </a>K-State Research and Extension news serviceDepending on the job, some people may have to complete a fitness test to prove that they can complete what will be required of them to be successful.For bulls whose job it is to breed cows, the fitness test often comes in the form of a breeding soundness exam completed by a veterinarian in the weeks ahead of pasture turnout, say the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-bulls-fail-breeding-exam">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said there are several components to a breeding soundness exam.“With that exam, we make sure the bull is in good body condition and that his feet and legs are sound. We also palpate the scrotum and observe his penis to be sure it moves freely. And then we test a semen sample to assess the quality of the sperm he is producing,” Larson said.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/34c0200d-54c2-42ed-8c22-c5b544676d44">Dry fields contribute to damage by alfalfa weevils, says K-State entomologist</a>Relating to the semen sample, K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers explained what the base criteria are for the semen to pass.“We want 70% of the bull’s sperm cells to be normal morphology and 30% of those cells to have a normal, forward-progressive motility,” Lubbers said.These tests are typically done in the spring before the bulls are turned out into breeding pastures with the females.Unfortunately, not all bulls pass their breeding soundness exam. That can happen for a variety of reasons, said the veterinarians.So that begs the question: What should producers do with a bull who fails the exam?“It really depends on the age of the bull and why he failed,” Lubbers said.If the bull is around 12 months of age and he fails on semen quality, Larson recommends producers retest the bull in a few weeks.“Because of the cattle breeds that we have in the U.S., I don’t expect all bulls will be fertile at 12 months of age, but by the time they are 15 months old, their age should not be a limiting factor,” Larson said.Lubbers said there are some health challenges relating to a bull’s movement that can cause him to fail on exam day, but as he recovers that should not be a barrier to him passing a future evaluation.“If he has a foot abscess, he will fail the exam but that is easy to treat and his prognosis of being able to return to breeding is good,” Lubbers said. “However, if he only has 20% normal sperm under the microscope, he may never pass. And that is why some fails are different than others.”To hear the full discussion, listen to&nbsp;<a href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-bulls-fail-breeding-exam">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;on your preferred streaming platform.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/95a4c0cb-94f9-49fc-b6f3-0949cee40f68">North Central Kansas counties prepare for 'Big Kansas Road Trip'</a>

KSRE Cattle Chat: What to do when a bull fails breeding soundness exam

Hello and happy Tuesday everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.

On Monday The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs">Chiefs</a>&nbsp;gave tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15847/travis-kelce">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;a significant raise with a new two-year contract

A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $34.25 million with $17 million fully guaranteed for this season and most of the rest to be guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year.

Kelce, who has been selected to nine consecutive Pro Bowls and is a four-time first-team All-Pro, had 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns last season.

From the gridiron to the diamond Monday also saw the release of both KCAC championship tournament brackets, and both K-Dub teams will participate in Great Bend this week

The softball team snuck into bracket play following a sweep of Bethany College last Wednesday, they will be the 7-seed facing Ottawa&nbsp;at noon this Wednesday

Meanwhile the Coyote baseball team will look to double down after winning a KCAC regular season title, facing Evangel&nbsp;on Wednesday evening&nbsp;as this year’s 1-seed&nbsp;

And finally speaking of baseball and softball we will be providing full coverage of all four games between South and Central today on Salina Post, with audio and video streaming for free. First pitch for both doubleheaders is slated for&nbsp;4pm

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out the Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6bfe0522-8f55-4fd0-99ec-058c84d3c808">910 KINA Sports Headlines — April 29</a>

<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sUz5PCYL-ATjzBQNW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Sports Update Tues" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Hello and happy Tuesday everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697215856555.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>_________On Monday The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs">Chiefs</a>&nbsp;gave tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15847/travis-kelce">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;a significant raise with a new two-year contractA source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $34.25 million with $17 million fully guaranteed for this season and most of the rest to be guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year.Kelce, who has been selected to nine consecutive Pro Bowls and is a four-time first-team All-Pro, had 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns last season._________From the gridiron to the diamond Monday also saw the release of both KCAC championship tournament brackets, and both K-Dub teams will participate in Great Bend this weekThe softball team snuck into bracket play following a sweep of Bethany College last Wednesday, they will be the 7-seed facing Ottawa&nbsp;at noon this WednesdayMeanwhile the Coyote baseball team will look to double down after winning a KCAC regular season title, facing Evangel&nbsp;on Wednesday evening&nbsp;as this year’s 1-seed&nbsp;_________And finally speaking of baseball and softball we will be providing full coverage of all four games between South and Central today on Salina Post, with audio and video streaming for free. First pitch for both doubleheaders is slated for&nbsp;4pm_________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out the Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6bfe0522-8f55-4fd0-99ec-058c84d3c808">910 KINA Sports Headlines — April 29</a>

910 KINA Sports Headlines — April 30

Salina Police Department (SPD) officers began investigating a scam after a 65-year-old Salina resident reported multiple calls from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) throughout the weekend.

On Monday, April 29, a Salina resident called SPD officers after receiving multiple calls from alleged scammers veiled as several government organizations.

The calls began on Friday, April 26, after attempting to reach a customer service desk for online shopping.

"She was trying to reach Amazon customer service, so she called the number she found online. It turns out that that was a scammer she called," SPD Sgt. Kyle Tonniges said. "In the call, they transferred her to&nbsp;who&nbsp;they claimed was the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC told her that she was under investigation and had to withdraw $50,000 from her account."

Tonniges said she then visited her bank to withdraw the $50,000 from her account, and a bank employee informed her that it seemed to be a scam, so she decided not to withdraw the cash.

Later that afternoon, scammers continued to call the 65-year-old victim by spoofing or impersonating the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) and other authority organizations.

"That person said she had a warrant because she wasn't cooperating with the FTC," Tonniges said.&nbsp;"She&nbsp;got a call&nbsp;the next day&nbsp;from somebody claiming to be the FTC.&nbsp;She&nbsp;got another call&nbsp;later that day&nbsp;from the FTC, then got a call from somebody claiming to be with the Kansas State University Police Department."

"The scammer was very persistent, although she was not out any money thanks to the bank."

After three days of persistent scam calls, the victim reported the scam activity to the police on Monday, which SPD officers continue investigating.

Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

<figure>
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 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina PostSalina Police Department (SPD) officers began investigating a scam after a 65-year-old Salina resident reported multiple calls from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) throughout the weekend.On Monday, April 29, a Salina resident called SPD officers after receiving multiple calls from alleged scammers veiled as several government organizations.The calls began on Friday, April 26, after attempting to reach a customer service desk for online shopping."She was trying to reach Amazon customer service, so she called the number she found online. It turns out that that was a scammer she called," SPD Sgt. Kyle Tonniges said. "In the call, they transferred her to&nbsp;who&nbsp;they claimed was the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC told her that she was under investigation and had to withdraw $50,000 from her account."Tonniges said she then visited her bank to withdraw the $50,000 from her account, and a bank employee informed her that it seemed to be a scam, so she decided not to withdraw the cash.Later that afternoon, scammers continued to call the 65-year-old victim by spoofing or impersonating the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) and other authority organizations."That person said she had a warrant because she wasn't cooperating with the FTC," Tonniges said.&nbsp;"She&nbsp;got a call&nbsp;the next day&nbsp;from somebody claiming to be the FTC.&nbsp;She&nbsp;got another call&nbsp;later that day&nbsp;from the FTC, then got a call from somebody claiming to be with the Kansas State University Police Department.""The scammer was very persistent, although she was not out any money thanks to the bank."After three days of persistent scam calls, the victim reported the scam activity to the police on Monday, which SPD officers continue investigating.Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Scammers impersonate FTC, demands $50,000 from Salina resident

Nora Elaine Reaves April 18, 1946 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024

Nora Elaine Reaves, 78, passed away April 28, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

She was born on April 18, 1946 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Frank and Giovanna Koons. She received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Friends University and went on to pursue a career in aviation with Raytheon.

Elaine is survived by Jarold E. Lewis of Lehigh, Kansas, four children, Suzette Ghent (Paul) of Manhattan, Kansas, Terry Reaves (Lynn) of Ware Shoals, South Carolina, Jerry Lewis (Kim) of Lehigh, Kansas, and Lynette Lewis (Lonnie) of Lehigh, Kansas. She dearly loved her seven grandchildren: Amber Hedden, Christopher Reaves, Quentin Ghent, Noah Ghent, Connor Davis, Brandon Lewis, and Victoria Lewis. She is survived by seven great-grandchildren. Elaine is survived by her beloved sister, Susan Diane Johnson, and her nieces and nephew: Crystal, Mason, Holly, and Amber.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Roselawn Memorial Chapel, 1920 E Crawford St, Salina, KS 67401 at 11:00 am and followed by entombment in the Williamsburg Mausoleum at Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western Kansas Chapter, 1820 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67214. Please include our loved one’s name with the donation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Roselawn Burial and Cremation Services. Online condolences can be sent to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.roselawnsalina.com">www.roselawnsalina.com</a>, or send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Nora Elaine Reaves.

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 </figure>Nora Elaine Reaves April 18, 1946 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024Nora Elaine Reaves, 78, passed away April 28, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.She was born on April 18, 1946 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Frank and Giovanna Koons. She received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Friends University and went on to pursue a career in aviation with Raytheon.Elaine is survived by Jarold E. Lewis of Lehigh, Kansas, four children, Suzette Ghent (Paul) of Manhattan, Kansas, Terry Reaves (Lynn) of Ware Shoals, South Carolina, Jerry Lewis (Kim) of Lehigh, Kansas, and Lynette Lewis (Lonnie) of Lehigh, Kansas. She dearly loved her seven grandchildren: Amber Hedden, Christopher Reaves, Quentin Ghent, Noah Ghent, Connor Davis, Brandon Lewis, and Victoria Lewis. She is survived by seven great-grandchildren. Elaine is survived by her beloved sister, Susan Diane Johnson, and her nieces and nephew: Crystal, Mason, Holly, and Amber.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Roselawn Memorial Chapel, 1920 E Crawford St, Salina, KS 67401 at 11:00 am and followed by entombment in the Williamsburg Mausoleum at Roselawn Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western Kansas Chapter, 1820 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67214. Please include our loved one’s name with the donation.Arrangements have been entrusted to Roselawn Burial and Cremation Services. Online condolences can be sent to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.roselawnsalina.com">www.roselawnsalina.com</a>, or send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Nora Elaine Reaves.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Nora E. Reaves

Roger Cleveland March 23, 1948 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024

Roger Cleveland, age 76, entered into rest on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the North Central Kansas Health Center, Concordia, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born on March 23, 1948, in Superior, Nebraska to Marvin and Helen (Uglow) Cleveland.

While growing up Roger attended 1st grade through 7th&nbsp;grade at District 6 Hillcrest School.

Roger went on to graduate from Concordia High School in the Class of 1966.&nbsp;&nbsp;He went on to attend Cloud County Community College and there he met the love of his life Bonnie.

Roger was united in marriage to Bonnie L. Bradley, on December 14, 1969, at The Baptist Church in Concordia, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage.&nbsp;&nbsp;To this union two boys were born, Brandon and Jeff.

He was a member of the Hill and Dale 4-H Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roger also served as the secretary and treasure for the Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Roger was a farmer in the Cloud County community for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also worked for the Concordia Home Store for 29 years until his retirement.&nbsp;

He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, especially taking them fishing and attending all their school events.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roger had a passion for farming and was an avid woodworker.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie L. Cleveland of the home in Concordia, KS; Two sons, Brandon Cleveland, and Jeff (Cora) Cleveland, both of Concordia, KS; eight grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Charlene Kellogg, and Gretchen Cleveland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Helen, a sister, Marilyn Cleveland and a brother, Bruce Cleveland.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 1-8 pm with the family receiving friends from 6-8 pm at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia.

Roger’s wishes were to be cremated and a Celebration of Life memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia, Kansas with Pastor Cynthia Smart officiating.&nbsp;&nbsp;Inurnment will follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Concordia.

The family requests that everyone attending Roger’s service please dress in casual attire in honor of Roger.

Memorial contributions may be given to the O’Connor Animal Shelter or Have A Heart TNR, 411 W. Parallel St., Clifton, KS 66937 in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For online condolences please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>.

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 </figure>Roger Cleveland March 23, 1948 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024 Roger Cleveland, age 76, entered into rest on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the North Central Kansas Health Center, Concordia, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born on March 23, 1948, in Superior, Nebraska to Marvin and Helen (Uglow) Cleveland.While growing up Roger attended 1st grade through 7th&nbsp;grade at District 6 Hillcrest School.Roger went on to graduate from Concordia High School in the Class of 1966.&nbsp;&nbsp;He went on to attend Cloud County Community College and there he met the love of his life Bonnie.Roger was united in marriage to Bonnie L. Bradley, on December 14, 1969, at The Baptist Church in Concordia, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage.&nbsp;&nbsp;To this union two boys were born, Brandon and Jeff.He was a member of the Hill and Dale 4-H Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roger also served as the secretary and treasure for the Walnut Grove Cemetery.Roger was a farmer in the Cloud County community for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also worked for the Concordia Home Store for 29 years until his retirement.&nbsp;He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, especially taking them fishing and attending all their school events.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roger had a passion for farming and was an avid woodworker.Survivors include his wife, Bonnie L. Cleveland of the home in Concordia, KS; Two sons, Brandon Cleveland, and Jeff (Cora) Cleveland, both of Concordia, KS; eight grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Charlene Kellogg, and Gretchen Cleveland.He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Helen, a sister, Marilyn Cleveland and a brother, Bruce Cleveland.A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 1-8 pm with the family receiving friends from 6-8 pm at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia.Roger’s wishes were to be cremated and a Celebration of Life memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia, Kansas with Pastor Cynthia Smart officiating.&nbsp;&nbsp;Inurnment will follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Concordia.The family requests that everyone attending Roger’s service please dress in casual attire in honor of Roger.Memorial contributions may be given to the O’Connor Animal Shelter or Have A Heart TNR, 411 W. Parallel St., Clifton, KS 66937 in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For online condolences please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chaputbuoy.com">www.chaputbuoy.com</a>.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Roger Cleveland

Beverly Ann Stout August 14, 1949 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024

Beverly Ann Stout (nee Melson), aged 74, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kansas. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.

Born on August 14, 1949, in Oklahoma City to Roger Q. Melson and Bernice (Mead) Melson, she grew up in Oklahoma City, later moved to Edmond, OK and in 2013 moved to McPherson, KS. She was a loving wife to her late husband Rodney H. Stout, and a caring mother to her children Amy and Rodney, Jr.

Beverly lived a full life and was always ready for a celebration. She also had a green thumb and loved tending to her flowers. She enjoyed reading books and watching OU sports in her free time, Boomer Sooner! She was devoted to her clients and enjoyed serving them as a successful insurance agent. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and engaging personality.

She is survived by her daughter Amy Wurm (Mark) and son Rodney Stout, Jr. (Melissa), 4 grandchildren Laura Peuchen (Andrew), Katherine Wurm, Mary Ann Wurm, Wesley Wurm and 1 great-grandchild Miles Peuchen; and her brother Roger Melson (Carol) and many nieces and nephews who will miss her fondly.

A private memorial service will be held for family members at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Cedars or a charity of your choice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stockhamfamily.com">www.stockhamfamily.com</a>.

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 </figure>Beverly Ann Stout August 14, 1949 ~&nbsp;April 28, 2024 Beverly Ann Stout (nee Melson), aged 74, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kansas. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend who will be missed by all who knew her.Born on August 14, 1949, in Oklahoma City to Roger Q. Melson and Bernice (Mead) Melson, she grew up in Oklahoma City, later moved to Edmond, OK and in 2013 moved to McPherson, KS. She was a loving wife to her late husband Rodney H. Stout, and a caring mother to her children Amy and Rodney, Jr.Beverly lived a full life and was always ready for a celebration. She also had a green thumb and loved tending to her flowers. She enjoyed reading books and watching OU sports in her free time, Boomer Sooner! She was devoted to her clients and enjoyed serving them as a successful insurance agent. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and engaging personality.She is survived by her daughter Amy Wurm (Mark) and son Rodney Stout, Jr. (Melissa), 4 grandchildren Laura Peuchen (Andrew), Katherine Wurm, Mary Ann Wurm, Wesley Wurm and 1 great-grandchild Miles Peuchen; and her brother Roger Melson (Carol) and many nieces and nephews who will miss her fondly.A private memorial service will be held for family members at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Cedars or a charity of your choice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.Personal condolences may be sent to the family at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stockhamfamily.com">www.stockhamfamily.com</a>.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Beverly Ann Stout

Ina Grace (Cooper) Hendrich October 16, 1928 ~&nbsp;April 26, 2024

Ina Grace (Cooper) Hendrich, 95, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024.&nbsp; She was born Oct. 16, 1928 in Russell County, to Ralph and Elva (Weinhold) Cooper.

Ina married Reuben Hendrich on July 19, 1946, and together they raised four children.&nbsp; Ina worked outside the home as a nurse’s aide, first at the Russell Hospital, then after moving to Salina, Asbury Hospital, where she also worked as a ward clerk.

Ina was active in her church, and helped with the AWANA program for many years.&nbsp; Attending church was one thing she missed once she was no longer able to do so.

Ina was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben; brother, Tolbert Cooper; sisters, Irene Hrabik, Mayme Martin and Mavis Kauffman; daughter-in-law, Linda Hendrich, and son-in-law, Robert "Bob" Minneman.

She is survived by her sons, Leroy and Leslie (Sue) Hendrich, and daughters, Anel Minneman and Faith (Randy) Rud, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 1st from 6-8 PM.

Funeral services will be at Faith Bible Church, Salina, Kansas, on Thursday, May 2nd at 1:30 PM, followed by burial in Wilson Cemetery, Wilson, Kansas at 3:30 PM.

Donations may be made to Faith Bible Church, Webster Conference Center, Pregnancy Service Center, in care of the funeral home.&nbsp;To send an online condolence, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.carlsonfh.net">www.carlsonfh.net</a>&nbsp;or on Facebook.&nbsp;

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 </figure>Ina Grace (Cooper) Hendrich October 16, 1928 ~&nbsp;April 26, 2024Ina Grace (Cooper) Hendrich, 95, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024.&nbsp; She was born Oct. 16, 1928 in Russell County, to Ralph and Elva (Weinhold) Cooper.Ina married Reuben Hendrich on July 19, 1946, and together they raised four children.&nbsp; Ina worked outside the home as a nurse’s aide, first at the Russell Hospital, then after moving to Salina, Asbury Hospital, where she also worked as a ward clerk.Ina was active in her church, and helped with the AWANA program for many years.&nbsp; Attending church was one thing she missed once she was no longer able to do so.Ina was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben; brother, Tolbert Cooper; sisters, Irene Hrabik, Mayme Martin and Mavis Kauffman; daughter-in-law, Linda Hendrich, and son-in-law, Robert "Bob" Minneman.She is survived by her sons, Leroy and Leslie (Sue) Hendrich, and daughters, Anel Minneman and Faith (Randy) Rud, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.Visitation will be at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 1st from 6-8 PM.Funeral services will be at Faith Bible Church, Salina, Kansas, on Thursday, May 2nd at 1:30 PM, followed by burial in Wilson Cemetery, Wilson, Kansas at 3:30 PM.Donations may be made to Faith Bible Church, Webster Conference Center, Pregnancy Service Center, in care of the funeral home.&nbsp;To send an online condolence, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.carlsonfh.net">www.carlsonfh.net</a>&nbsp;or on Facebook.&nbsp;LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Ina G. (Cooper) Hendrich

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church's longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday

They've already begun making historic changes: On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-disaffiliation-lgbtq-regionalization-samesex-marriage-d429bb838c31f1899dbc48fbddb03197">delegates overwhelmingly endorsed</a>&nbsp;a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.

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 </figure>By PETER SMITHCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church's longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on FridayThey've already begun making historic changes: On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-disaffiliation-lgbtq-regionalization-samesex-marriage-d429bb838c31f1899dbc48fbddb03197">delegates overwhelmingly endorsed</a>&nbsp;a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.<figure>
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 </figure>But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Methodist Church, long the nation's third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-congregations-leaving-lgbtq-bans-dbd315f329e4cfec4ba78916668ab50b">One-quarter of its U.S. churches left</a>&nbsp;between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church's failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread defiance.A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the first openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is positive.“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s unified even in the midst of cultural differences.”The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any advocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of non-binding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version's declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching." And it defines marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disaffiliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it's time to leave.“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching different gospels.”A large majority of African bishops, while affirming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.Conservative advocacy groups say U.S. churches that didn't meet the 2023 deadline should have the option of disaffiliating, too — along with the more than 7,000 that have already done so.The denomination also will be debating policy stances regarding fossil fuels and other issues as well as voting on major budget cuts to denominational programs, reflective of losing thousands of congregations.The Rev. Tracy Cox, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, said she’s cautiously hopeful for changes to the rules on ordination and marriage. The congregation, which has long been LGBTQ-affirming, held a commissioning service on April 14 for those attending the General Conference.“If you are called by God to be an ordained elder or deacon, no church, no institution should step in that way,” Cox said. “And as far as marriage goes, when somebody falls in love with someone, we need to be able to help them to raise a family or to be a family in the community where they’re going to serve.”Added Tracy Merrick, a member of the congregation and a delegate: “It will say to the world about us that we really stand behind our statement that we are a church of open hearts, open minds, and open doors.”___