United Methodist Judicial Council Postpones Ruling on Los Angeles La Trinidad Church Closure, to Reconvene November 16, UM News Reported October 27
UM News reported on October 27 that the United Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination's top court, has postponed a ruling on the closure of La Trinidad United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, and will continue deliberations at 10 a.m. on November 16. During its October 21-23 fall meeting, the council issued memorandums on two other agenda items.
The dispute concerns a decision of law by Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank of the California-Pacific Annual Conference regarding the closure of La Trinidad. The Judicial Council held a scheduled oral hearing on the matter by video on October 22, but members agreed on October 23 to continue deliberations. "The Judicial Council continues its review of this matter and is not yet in a position to issue a decision," the council stated. "The council will reconvene on Nov. 16 for further consideration of the parties' submissions and statements at the oral hearing. A ruling may not be issued on that date but will be sent to all parties promptly once the decision is reached."
In other business, Memorandum 1524 gave further direction to the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals in a membership case from the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, asking it to issue a new decision on procedural fair process issues within three months. Memorandum 1525 responded to a request for a declaratory decision from the New England Annual Conference regarding its resident bishop's handling of two complaints received in February 2025; the council stated it does not have jurisdiction to decide the issues in that request.
The Judicial Council is The United Methodist Church's highest court, ruling on questions of church law and the application of the Book of Discipline. The postponement leaves the legal status of the La Trinidad closure to be settled after the council reconvenes.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于洛杉矶的威尔希尔联合卫理公会教堂（资料图）。Downtowngal 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Wilshire United Methodist Church in Los Angeles (file photo). Photo by Downtowngal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
