gay – adj. showing a sexual desire for someone of the same sex

priest – n. clergyman

synod – n. an official meeting of religious leaders

homosexuality – n. the sexual behavior between members of the same sex

communion – n. the Christian religious service at which bread and wine, or grape juice, are served

paragraph – n. a self-contained area in a report or story

shelf – idiom. to postpone or delay something

automatically – adj. done by machine

consensus – n. general agreement

hot-button – adj. an issue that is highly charges, emotionally or politically

certain – adj. known for sure

abortion – n. an operation for ending a pregnancy

practice – n. a custom or repeated exercise

formal – adj. officially recognized or approved

sacraments – n. a activity that is considered important among Christians