WASHINGTON (AP) – The nation’s largest predominantly gay Christian church installed its second leader in 37 years during a ceremony at Washington National Cathedral.

In a service before hundreds of church members, the Rev. Nancy L. Wilson succeeded the Rev. Troy Perry as moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches – a body of 250 congregations in 23 countries.

The ceremony marked the church’s symbolic return to the National Cathedral after Perry had been kept out of a ceremony there 30 years ago because of his sexual orientation, church officials said.

“I think in some ways it sparks for us a new era,” said Wilson, 55, who lives in Sarasota, Fla., with her partner.

During a series of weekend events, the church also planned to launch a 10-year effort to reach out to people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as gay and lesbian senior citizens and people turned away from other churches.

“Even though there are denominations that are becoming more accepting in our country and around the world, there’s still a feeling among so many people that either God can’t love them or that God doesn’t accept gays and lesbians,” Wilson said. “It’s the church that needs to change.”

Days before Wilson was to take over as presiding bishop of the Metropolitan Community Churches, lawyers for the conservative group Focus on the Family challenged the churches’ use of the name “Focus on the Human Family” as the name for its 10-year campaign.

In response, Wilson announced a new name for the campaign: “Unfinished World, Unfinished Calling.”