HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Episcopal Church's national debate over its first openly gay bishop will hit home when the state's faithful meet in High Point this month.

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is one of three dioceses in the state. It'll hold its annual meeting Jan. 29 - 31.

At issue are whether the church should continue to open its doors to gay clergy, whether churches should be penalized for limiting their giving to the diocese, and whether congregations should be able to keep their buildings if they split with the diocese.

Currently, if congregations leave over theological differences, their property goes to back the diocese.

Changing that convention might mean altering church canon.