Behind the Scenes of a Methodist Schism

Earlier this week reports about a formerly United Methodist church exiting the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference (EPAC) spread across the Internet (based largely on Walter Fentonâ??s story at Good News Magazine). As Fenton reported, the Wesley United Methodist Church in Quarryville, PA voted to leave the denomination, and in a negotiated settlement the EPAC allowed the existing congregation to retain the property at a cost of $100,000 rather than to exercise the trust clause that all United Methodist congregations observe in regards to their property. While Feltonâ??s article quotes Wesley Churchâ??s Executive Pastor Larry Rineer, the response from the EPAC seemed less complete, so we reached out to EPAC Bishop Peggy Johnson and her staff to try and get a fuller picture from their perspective. Bishop Johnson was very helpful and referred us to Rob Shoemaker, who has served as the legal counsel of the EPAC since 1980. Shoemaker was able to help fill in some details to offer a fuller picture of this transition.