Bishop John Schol will hold video-conference listening sessions, as promised, with EPA lay and clergy conference members via Zoom on August 29, at 11 a.m., and August 31 at 6:30 p.m.* He will discuss and answer questions about the proposed …

‘The Power Has Gone Out from Me’
Who touched me?” Jesus asked his disciples on a crowded street, “for I know that power has gone out from me.” (Luke 8:46) “There is a great crowd,” his puzzled disciples answered. “Everyone is touching you.” But Jesus felt the …

Possible! Episcopal Address by Bishop John Schol
Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, Presented May 18, 2023 View this address at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ps2qeqlirs&t=19018s at timecode 05:17:35. Welcome back! You look marvelous, and it is great to be back together in person! All Things Are Possible I see great possibility before …

EPA Annual Conference to reconvene Sept. 9, at Lititz UMC
The EPA Annual Conference will hold a special session on Saturday morning, September 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Lititz United Methodist Church. Registration materials will be made available by August 1. The special session was requested and approved …

Appeals judge upholds BSA plan, including UMC settlement
Bishop John Schol notified all United Methodist bishops on Tuesday, March 28, of a federal appeals court judge’s ruling that upheld the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) reorganization plan, which includes our $30 million United Methodist Settlement with the survivors’ …

Church court addresses disaffiliation questions
Adapted from a UM News story The United Methodist Church’s top court released nine rulings March 1 related to a church law that governs church disaffiliations outlined in paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline. Two of those rulings affirmed …

When the past just doesn’t work anymore
No one pours new wine into old wineskins. —Luke 5:37 In my role as bishop of EPA&GNJ, I lead or serve on the board of directors of eight nonprofit organizations. These include annual conferences, foundations, universities, social service organizations and …

A challenge to collect the most donated food before Super Bowl
Just as the NFL’s Super Bowl begins play on Sunday at 6:30 PM, a much bigger and friendlier United Methodist competition will end—a competition that highlights not football but food banks. It’s the donated food collection competition between the Eastern …

World Methodist Council nominations sought
Bishop John Schol seeks persons—clergy, lay adults and youth—to nominate for membership and leadership on the World Methodist Council, for the remainder of its current term, 2022-2024, and also for 2024 to 2030. The Eastern PA and Greater New Jersey …

Holding on together
Cabinet epistle prescribes remedies to clergy stress, burnout
“In the midst of deeply felt challenges to our health, our churches and our society, it is normal for stress and anxiety to increase.” Thus begins a letter sent recently by the joint EPA&GNJ Cabinet to all clergy and chairs …