Southern Methodist University in Dallas and the United Methodist Church are set to deliver oral arguments in the Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15.

A multi-year fight over whether Southern Methodist University can separate itself from the United Methodist Church is heading to Texas’ highest court this month.

For many years, the bell ringing in the Chinchilla United Methodist Church steeple signaled the start of worship services.

Conductor Kathryn Jurado will lead the performance, presented by Handbell Musicians of America, a national nonprofit.

The Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments to decide if SMU's Board of Trustees can alter the university's articles of incorporation with approval from the United Methodist Church. The church sued the university in 2019 after SMU's board of trustees voted to split from the church without approval from the South Central Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church.