Hebrews 10:23
Dear Friends in Christ,
May the grace and peace of the Risen Christ be with you.
The cabinet team continually gives thanks to God for the faithful witness and ministry of GNJ disciples, leaders, and congregations. As you continue leading the mission forward through the COVID-19 pandemic, your resilience, courage, and faith, are making life-giving ministry possible throughout the region.
As we prepare to begin a new season of ministry, I want to update you about superintending coverage for the coming appointment year. After prayerful discernment, and in consultation with the cabinet and conference leaders, I have decided not to fill the vacancies that will open in July in the Northern Shore and Palisades Districts as well as the vacancy in the Gateway South District that opened last summer after Rev. Myrna Bethke’ s passing.
While this was not an easy decision to make, it is the most faithful path that will move the mission of GNJ forward, in alignment with the staffing plan and budget passed at the January Special Annual Conference Session. A longer range plan will be presented to the adjourned annual conference budget session this fall.
Effective July 1, Superintending coverage will be as follows:
Northern Region: Rev. Dr. Eunice Vega-Perez and Rev. William M. Williams, III will share in providing oversight for congregations and clergy in the Palisades, Skylands and Gateway North Districts. Leadership and congregational development resourcing will be provided by the district superintendents, Rev. Gina Yeske, Nicola Mulligan, and Circuit Leaders. You can read more about the coverage for the three districts, here.
Central Region: Rev. Sang Won Doh and Rev. Héctor A. Burgos will share in providing oversight for congregations and clergy in the Northern Shore, Capital and Raritan Valley Districts. Leadership congregational and development resourcing will be provided by the district superintendents, Rev. Enger Muteteke and Circuit Leaders. You can read more about the coverage for the three districts here.
Southern Region: Rev. Glenn Conaway and Rev. Brian Roberts will continue to share in providing oversight for congregations and clergy in the Gateway South District, Cape Atlantic and Delaware Bay Districts. Leadership and congregational development resourcing will be provided by the district superintendents, Lan Wilson and Circuit Leaders. You can read more about the coverage for the three districts, here.
GNJ is blessed with a team of gifted, resourceful, and adaptive superintendents, regional resource directors, and circuit leaders who, anchored in their deep faith in Christ, will continue developing leaders, growing vitality, and moving the mission forward.
While there are challenges ahead of us, GNJ is poised for strong vital ministry into the future as we move forward with our mission, continue implementing A Journey with Hope plan and working together to end the sin of racism as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Keep the faith!
John
Bishop John R. Schol
United Methodists of Greater NJ