Home | About Us | Bishop's Office | Guiding Words | Updated Boy Scouts of America Information from Bishop Tracy S. Malone
BISHOP'S OFFICE
Dear Pastors and Church Leaders,
The United Methodist Church, as a connectional system, is a gift to conferences, districts, and local churches of our denomination because it provides avenues for shared mission and witness and the sharing and receiving of resources, ideas, and expertise. Currently, I and my episcopal colleagues across the Church are continuing to work with our respective conference chancellors and counsel for The United Methodist Church to resource our conferences and the local churches that charter Boy Scout troops.
As I stated in my letter to you on August 18, the Boy Scouts of America has declared bankruptcy resulting from abuse allegations going back many decades. Because United Methodist churches are often the chartering organization for those Scout troops, our churches are at risk of being included in legal proceedings as abuse victims seek redress.
To resource our pastors, congregations, and faith communities, I formed the East Ohio Conference Boy Scouts of America (EOC BSA) leadership team. The Conference leaders that were selected was because of the roles they serve, based upon the guidance received from our denomination’s Ad Hoc Committee representing the interests of The United Methodist Church in this legal matter. The EOC BSA leadership team is:
The EOC BSA leadership team, working in consultation with leadership of The United Methodist Church, strongly urges:
Some East Ohio Conference churches have been named in the legal proceedings involving the Boy Scouts of America. The EOC BSA leadership team has notified the current pastors of those churches and more information is being provided directly to them.
The United Methodist Church continues to be supportive of scouting, and counsel for our denomination is resourcing the Conference leadership team so that we can provide information and guidance to our pastors, congregations, and faith communities. If you have a question for the EOC BSA leadership team, please e-mail the team at BSA_UMC_Questions@eocumc.com.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
Resident Bishop to the
East Ohio Conference
E-mail
Melissa McGee
Executive Secretary to the Bishop
Ext. 112
E-mail
Rev. Ed Peterson
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Ext. 111
E-mail
The East Ohio Conference Office:
located in North Canton, OH,
near Akron-Canton Airport.
Address:
8800 Cleveland Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phones:
Local: (330) 499-3972
Toll Free: (800) 831-3972
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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