Scenes from General Conference April 26-27

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  Ecumenical Guests

  Ecumenical guests are welcomed to the 2012 United Methodist General Conference by Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader (on video screen). Rader is ecumenical officer for the denomination's Council of Bishops.

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  Translators Receive Instructions

  Translators receive daily instructions at the 2012 General Conference. An issue with translation arose April 27 when a delegate who spoke Swahili was pressed into service as an uncertified translator during a legislative committee meeting.

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  Hurt by Process

  Mark Miller stands at the microphone, surrounded by supporters, to protest the church's lack of inclusiveness in its process of Holy Conversation April 26 at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference.

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  Exclusion Protest

  Delegates walk past silent demonstrators before the April 27 morning plenary at the 2012 General Conference. The protest was organized after delegate Mark Miller spoke of LGBT delegates feeling bullied by the April 26 "holy conversation" on human sexuality.

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  In Chains

  Outside the plenary session of the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida, the Rev. Amy DeLong holds chains in her hand as she and others who support the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church hold a silent vigil April 26.

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  Love Heals

  Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata of the Seattle, Wash., episcopal area preaches on the healing power of love at the April 26 evening service.

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  Praying for One Another

  The Rev. Dan Dick (left) and Lisa King, delegates from the Wisconsin Annual Conference, pray together during evening worship at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla.

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  A Bishop's Prayer

  Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert (right) prays with a delegate during April 26 evening worship at General Conference. The bishop's rainbow-colored scarf signifies his longtime support for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the work and life of The United Methodist Church.