By Joey Butler
United Methodist News Service

With a drum welcome from indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, United Methodists gathered for the 2016 General Conference, the top legislative body of denomination, joined in a cacophony of “alleluias” in many languages during opening worship.

Delegates from the United States, Europe, Africa and the Philippines opened the session with the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and an address by San Francisco Area Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., president of the Council of Bishops.

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