
May 25, 2022
Speak tenderly, comfort my people says God. -Isaiah 40:1
Dear Friends in Christ,
There are no words.
Shootings and killings in the last two weeks of African Americans in a Buffalo, New York, supermarket, an Asian-American church in Southern California and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, leave us all hurt, wondering and angry. We grieve for those who died and for their families. We pray for their souls, their peace and their comfort.
What good is it if you claim to have faith but don’t do anything about it? -James 2:14
Something is wrong, something is broken, and we are not protecting children, people of color and other vulnerable populations from rage, hatred, guns and mental illness. As a nation and even more so as a church, we are failing to preach, teach and act to bring an end to the sins of hatred, division, racism and cure the illness such as mental illness.
We live in a time when politicians, as well as community and church people, speak in ways that create further division, fear and even rage. We even cheer when someone representing our views spews hatred and harm. Our encouraging “our side” or saying or doing nothing only inflames incivility and violence. If you say you have faith and do nothing, or if you say you have faith and your words create division, it is not faith in Jesus Christ.
We all can pray and comfort those who mourn. Today we are called to support one another because acts of hatred like these can open up old wounds of those around us. Be sensitive to one another and comfort each other.
Let us also work together to end the sin of racism, ensure that guns are not getting into the hands of people who will commit violence, advocate for better and more mental health care and offer a witness of Christ that does not tolerate those who spew hatred, division and violence.
I call all of our churches to pray this weekend and find specific actions your church will take to stand against, and do something about, the hatred and violence in our communities and in our world.
Keep the faith!
Bishop John Schol
The United Methodists of
Eastern Pennsylvania & Greater New Jersey
BishopJohnSchol@epaumc.org | 610-666-1442
BishopJohnSchol@gnjumc.org | 732-359-1010
Equipping transformational leaders for
New Disciples | Vital Congregations | Transformed World

Messages from Bishop John Schol
2022:
- May 25: Message from Bishop Schol About Mass Shootings
- May 2: Bishop Schol's Third Message about Disaffiliation
- April 21: Bishop Schol's Second Message about Disaffiliation
- April 16: Easter Message from Bishop John Schol
- April 4: Direction: A Key Ingredient for Successful Leadership - Part 2: Mission
- March 10: Bishop Schol’s message about General Conference and Disaffiliation
- March 7: Direction: A Key Ingredient for Successful Leadership - Part 1: Vision
- February 25: Message from Bishop Schol: Update on Ukraine and Council of Bishops
- February 11: Message from Bishop Schol: BSA Update
- January 23: Message from Bishop Schol: Two New District Superintendents
- January 18: Message from Bishop Schol: 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
- September 11, 2021 - September 11
- September 10, 2021 - Hurricane Ida Response
- September 9, 2021 - Video Message: Hurricane Ida Response
- September 2, 2021 - Hurricane Ida
- September 1, 2021 - Introduction, Bishop John R. Schol
- August 20, 2021 - Strengthening our Work Together: Survey Request
Resources
- 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