“I have always experienced making appointments as a sacred act filled with prayer, listening, conversation and discernment,” writes Bishop John Schol in a letter to EPAUMC clergy this week. He plans to discuss with them plans for a new way to make appointments to congregations in a Zoom meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, at 8:30 AM. The discussion will include a time for questions and answers. The bishop will cover:

• Clergy engagement and participation in the process.
• What information the Cabinet considers in making appointments. 
• The process used to identify clergy for congregations.
• How appointments will be communicated.

“Your commitment to serve and be itinerant is a testimony of your faithfulness and commitment to Christ and the Church,” Bishop Schol writes. This meeting is only for clergy, but a subsequent meeting will involve churches’ Staff Parish Relations Committee leaders. 

Also, visit our new Pastoral Transitions resources page to see recommended resources from across our UM Connection and beyond to help­­ clergy and church leaders prepare for possible appointment transitions.