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 at the May Annual Conference regular session, according to the Book of Discipline, ¶603.5, to discuss and act on the following matters:
- The 2024 Budget legislation presented by the Council on Finance and Administration
- Policies recommended by CFA, including but not limited to a proposed Funds Policy
- An update on listening sessions held by the Extended Cabinet and Connectional Table.
- Resolutions not acted on at the May session, if time permits. They are found in the Pre-Annual Conference Workbook: Relating to Jury Justice [PAGE 98]; Relating to Human Trafficking Study [PAGE 99]; In Support of Creating a US Regional Conference [PAGE 101]; Relating to a Revised 2023 Process and terms for EPA Congregations Seeking to Disaffiliate.
“After consultation with CFA leaders and other discussions, the Cabinet believes it is in the best interest of the mission and our work to hold this conference session in person,” Bishop John Schol wrote to conference members in a letter June 15. He directs members to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page that responds to questions about the May Annual Conference session and invites them to ask additional questions.
The 2023 Post-AC FAQs page responds to questions about EPA’s new Strategic Direction, its emerging affiliation with the Greater New Jersey Conference, and the proposed 2024 Budget and new Funds Policy, along with other concerns raised in evaluations of the Annual Conference session.
2022 EPA Statistical Analysis report
The bishop’s letter also links to a 2022 EPA Statistical Analysis report, prepared by Paul Bernhardt, statistician for the Extended Cabinet. It highlights key conference statistics—drawn from local church statistical reports—on church membership, participation in worship, Christian education, small groups and mission activities. It also includes analysis and insights offered in a Q&A format.
“The numbers included in this report represent not just statistics, but people—children of God whom we are called to serve,” begins the Statistical Analysis, which reports 10-year and recent trends. Bernhardt also provides, by request, “bright spots,” “caution signs” and projections for the future—acknowledging that projections are challenging in this still-unfolding, uncertain post-Covid age.
Finally, the report compares EPA with other, unnamed conferences in the Northeastern Jurisdiction.
“We can be encouraged that we are emerging from the pandemic and making strong progress,” reads the report’s preamble. “We thank God for our pastors and lay leadership who are leading well.”
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