United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of a legislative gathering that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy.

Thousands of United Methodists are gathering Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin an 11-day denominational General Conference.

Birmingham police said 12 cars were stolen from residents over the span of nine days, and 7-10 of them had been left unlocked with the keys inside.