October 25, 2023
Dear United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania,
Last week, the judge ruled in favor of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference regarding a request by 11 of our churches for an injunction. These churches sought to disaffiliate without adhering to the process outlined by The Book of Discipline, Judicial Council rulings, and the Conference-approved procedures. We are grateful that the court acknowledged our polity and the EPA's procedures.
The 11 churches are among 50 congregations that have pursued legal action against us with the intent to leave the denomination with their property, bypassing the standard process, avoiding the necessary payments, and disregarding the Trust Clause. We anticipate this case will be heard in 2024.
The 50 congregations, like all our congregations, are important to us and the mission of The United Methodist Church. I've had the privilege of meeting many of their leaders, who are indeed faithful Christians. I ask you to pray for them and all our congregations. Within the EPA, we embrace a diversity of theology, beliefs, culture, race, and context. Despite our differences, we've dedicated ourselves to serving Christ through mission and ministry, both in our communities and around the world. The cabinet and leadership of EPA pledge to work with and assist all our congregations, recognizing differences and seeking to honor each congregation.
In the past two years, there have been misconceptions about The United Methodist Church and its leaders, including those within the EPA. There have also been misrepresentations about the 50 churches. Such narratives are often crafted to create divisions and push more members to consider departure. I implore all of us to emulate Christ Jesus and heed John Wesley's charge for Methodists: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.
Below is the judge’s ruling. We've chosen to delete the names of the involved churches, as our intention is not to isolate or single out any congregation. They remain part of our family. Though we may have differences, we are all integral members of the same body of Christ.
Click here to read the Court Ruling
Keep the faith!
Bishop John Schol
The United Methodists of
Eastern Pennsylvania & Greater New Jersey
BishopJohnSchol@epaumc.church | 484-474-0939
BishopJohnSchol@gnjumc.org | 732-359-1010
Equipping transformational leaders for
New Disciples | Vital Congregations | Transformed World
Bishop's Office
P.O. Box 820
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820
Phone: 484-474-0939
Fax: 732-359-1019
Bishop John Schol
The United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania & Greater New Jersey
BishopJohnSchol@epaumc.church
Episcopal Office Staff
Bishop John Schol
Bishop
1.484.474.0939
BishopJohnSchol@epaumc.church
Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm
Assistant to the Bishop
610.666.9090 ext. 1013
484.762.8230
dtaylorstorm@epaumc.church
Nicola Mulligan
Assistant to the Bishop
732.359.1052
nmulligan@gnjumc.org
Jay Kim
Director of Human Resources, EPA and GNJ
Director of Regional Support Team
Immigration Support, EPA & GNJ
732.359.1032
jkim@gnjumc.org
Krystina Michalopoulos
Regional Manager
732.359.1075
kmichalopoulos@gnjumc.org
Latest News
The Lengthening of Our Days
EPA&GNJ members “Journey with Paul” in Greece
Resources
- Bishop's Biography
- Welcome Service for Bishop Schol - September 18, 2021
- View or download the full event recording: YouTube | Dropbox file
- View or download just Bishop Schol's sermon: YouTube | Dropbox file
- View photos from the Service: Flickr album
Messages from Bishop John Schol (by date)
2023:
- April 26, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | Direction, Ida and Lawsuits
- March 30, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | Covenant School Shooting
- February 7, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | We've been challenged
- January 28, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | Tyre Nichols
- January 20, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | Update on EPA&GNJ Cabinet Retreat & Appointment Realities
- January 15, 2023: Message from Bishop Schol | Appointments, Retirements and Open Churches
- January 11, 2023: Message on behalf of Bishop and Cabinet | Connectional Ministries Giving
2022:
- December 19, 2022: Christmas is transformational
- November 22: New Appointment Announcement and EPA/GNJ Affiliation Update | en Español
- November 16: Message from Bishop Schol: Follow-up from Clergy Gathering | Eastern PA Conference of the UMC (epaumc.org) | en Español
- October 12: Message from Bishop Schol about Disaffiliating Congregations | Haz click aquí para español | 한국어 버전은 여기를 클릭하세요
- September 7: The Being of Leadership
- September 6: Bishop Schol's Message about IGNITE
- August 16: Bishop Schol's Message about withholding apportionments
- August 10: Message from Bishop Schol about legal action
- August 9: Bishop Schol's Fourth Message about Disaffiliation | en Español
- August 4: Leaders are born, right? | en Espanol
- June 30: Annual Conference Follow-Up | en Español
- June 28: United Methodists and Abortion
- May 25: Message About Mass Shootings
- May 2: Bishop Schol's Third Message about Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- April 21: Bishop Schol's Second Message about Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- April 16: Easter Message from Bishop John Schol
- April 4: Direction: A Key Ingredient for Successful Leadership - Part 2: Mission
- March 10: Message about General Conference and Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- March 7: Direction: A Key Ingredient for Successful Leadership - Part 1: Vision
- February 25: Update on Ukraine and Council of Bishops
- February 11: BSA Update
- January 23: Two New District Superintendents
- January 18: Zoom Meeting about Appointment-making, Jan. 24
- January 10: Happy and Blessed New Year!
- January 5: Be the hope that others need
2021:
- December 16, 2021 - District Superintendent Transitions
- December 15, 2021 - Advent and Christmas Message: A hard-fought hope
- November 8, 2021 - Council of Bishops' Meeting and Statement
- Attachment: Council of Bishops' Statement
- October 11, 2021 - Message from Bishop Schol concerning Bishop Johnson and Rev. Johnson
- September 20, 2021 - Conference Survey Report. See Attachments:
- September 11, 2021 - September 11
- September 10, 2021 - Hurricane Ida Response
- September 9, 2021 - Video Message: Hurricane Ida Response
- Click here to download the video via Dropbox.
- September 2, 2021 - Hurricane Ida
- September 1, 2021 - Introduction, Bishop John R. Schol
- August 20, 2021 - Strengthening our Work Together: Survey Request
Messages from Bishop John Schol (by topic)
- BSA/UMC Agreement:
- BSA Update (February 11, 2022)
- Current Events:
- Leadership:
- Disaffiliation:
- Message about General Conference and Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- Bishop Schol's Second Message about Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- Bishop Schol's Third Message about Disaffiliation | Korean | Spanish
- Bishop Schol's Fourth Message about Disaffiliation | Spanish
- Message from Bishop Schol about legal action
- Message from Bishop Schol about Disaffiliating Congregations | Español | Korean