Ono Church’s Future

April 2026 Update
A decision was made in the Montgomery County court case involving the 50 churches in the Eastern PA Annual Conference. The judge ruled in favor of the Annual Conference. The judge granted no relief of any kind to the 50 churches who brought the lawsuit.

Therefore, we at Ono Church are entering another season of discernment about where we believe God is leading us. During this time, I encourage all of us to remember the words from Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Also, remember the words from I Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We will continue to worship well and minister well during this season.

Ono Church’s next Ad Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26. Between now and then, we will be seeking information about what other separation-seeking churches like us are contemplating as possible next steps.

The Bishop of the Eastern PA Conference has scheduled a May 4th meeting with leaders of the 50 churches that were part of the lawsuit. The yearly Annual Conference meeting of all Eastern PA churches will be held May 19-21.

Feel free to attend the May 26 Ad Council meeting. Feel free to reach out to me before
then with any questions or comments. Also, if you wish to write down any comments or questions that can be passed on to Ad Council before May 26, feel free to place those papers in my mailbox or Kim Moyer’s mailbox in Room 24 and 26.

Grace and Peace,
Eric Wentling, Lay Leader

November 2025 Update
In September of 2024, our church held a congregational vote on the choice between 1) a desired future staying connected to the Easter PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church or 2) a desired future separation from the Eastern PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. By a vote of around 89%-11%, the congregational vote chose a desired future separation from the Eastern PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

A part of what Ad Council has been continuing to monitor related to this issue is the ongoing civil dispute in Montgomery County, PA Court. This civil dispute between approximately 50 Eastern PA UMC churches and the Eastern PA UMC Annual Conference has been ongoing since April 5, 2023. On August 21, 2025, the County Judge presiding over this dispute announced a trial date for the dispute. A non-jury civil trial is scheduled to begin on March 30, 2026. The Judge has set aside 7 court calendar days for this trial. Ono Church is not part of the dispute directly, but Ono Church is hoping to benefit from a ruling/trial decision favorable to the churches in the dispute that would be applied or available to all the roughly 400 UMC churches in the Eastern PA Annual Conference.

What we have been encouraging each other to do for over a year now, we continue to encourage each other to do. That is, to continue to focus first on our ongoing ministry and mission at Ono Church while at the same time continue to trust God, our Good Shepherd, to lead us on toward that desired separation.
- Eric Wentling, Lay Leader

August 2024 Update
After hearing feedback from the group who organized the July discernment meetings and the survey results of those who attended the meetings, the Ono Church Administrative Council voted at its July meeting to schedule a church membership meeting and vote on the question of Ono Church’s future with the United Methodist denomination.

On Tuesday September 24, the Administrative Council will hold its regular bi-monthly meeting as well as conduct a Charge Conference. A Charge Conference is a meeting of all members of Ono Church. The question of seeking a separation from the United Methodist denomination will be the focus of the Charge Conference. Any member wishing to vote will need to be in attendance for the discussion and vote.

The meeting will start at 7 pm in the sanctuary.

June 2024 Update

The committee organizing the congregational meetings about discerning Ono Church’s future has scheduled the following 6 dates and times for a presentation:

Tuesday July 2 at 2 pm
Tuesday July 2 at 7 pm
Thursday July 11th at 10 am
Thursday July 11 at 7 pm
Tuesday July 16 at 2 pm
Tuesday July 16 at 7 pm

At each of these 6 times, the same presentation/information will be shared. The hope is that one of these times will suit your schedule and you will be able to attend. The key issues/ factors involved in this discernment process will be presented. You will have time and opportunity to ask questions. At the end of each session, a form with a few survey questions will be available to be completed. The Administrative Council is seeking feedback and responses through these congregational meetings from you, the members. At each of these meetings, a few of the committee members will be present. There were 12 people who volunteered to organize this presentation. Thank you for your interest and attention to this information and if you have any questions or concerns before attending one of these meetings, please email me or text me at ekwent@comcast.net or (717) 679-5381.

-Eric Wentling, Lay Leader