St. John United Methodist Church

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA — A dispute has emerged at the St. John United Methodist Church (SJUMC) following an electrical rewiring project carried out by the St. John Methodist Church Cubao (SJMCC). The work, conducted at 10:00 AM on August 12, resulted in a loss of power to outlets in the SJUMC office and a full disconnection of electricity in the deaconess quarters.

The situation began with a letter from SJMCC dated June 14, 2025, notifying SJUMC pastors and council members of a plan to transfer the electrical load for the “2nd Floor Office and 3rd Floor Deaconess Quarters.” The memo, signed by SJMCC officers, stated that the work would occur on June 17-18 and that SJMCC would cover “all associated costs.” The letter noted the purpose was to “delineate utility usage and ensure proper accountability among users.”

Despite this initial notice, no mutual agreement appears to have been reached, and the electrical rewiring project proceeded in the absence of an approved permit from relevant authorities. A subsequent letter from SJMCC dated August 2 reiterated their intention to carry out the rewiring on August 12. It stated, “This is concerning our letter dated June 14, 2025, informing you of the Electrical load transfer works for the 2nd floor office & 3rd floor Deaconess Quarters, which you have not acted on.” The letter outlined a plan to install a new circuit breaker and connect power to the parsonage, concluding with a disclaimer that SJMCC would not be “responsible for any inconvenience due to power cut-off after 10:00 AM on August 12, 2025.”

As a result, the SJUMC currently has lighting in its office, but the outlets are non-functional, disabling critical equipment. The deaconess quarters have experienced a complete power loss. A letter dated August 7 from SJUMC acknowledged the prior communication but requested a halt to all actions until an official response could be issued. A handwritten note on that letter, attributed to an SJMCC President/Church Council Chair, reads, “WE CANNOT WAIT!” suggesting a growing sense of urgency on their part.

SJUMC’s concerns, however, extend beyond the immediate power disruption. The administrative pastor has raised questions about the safety, legality, and procedural compliance of SJMCC’s actions. “We filed a complaint to both Quezon City hall and Meralco,” the pastor shared, adding that there are concerns about whether the parsonage’s electrical load can handle three additional air conditioning units on top of the two existing units in the parsonage plus other appliances, as well as the potential for code violations, safety hazards, or fines if required permits were not secured.

Meralco, the local power utility, confirmed the receipt of a complaint in an August 11, 2025 letter addressed to Rev. Adonis Gorospe. The letter stated that an “inspection of Service Wire and Meter status is generated” and that Meralco would provide feedback on the actions taken within 15 business days.

The conflict between these two congregations underscores the challenge of managing a shared sanctuary now marked by a literal power struggle. For SJUMC that has embraced the anniversary theme of “with renewed strength, advance the vision, fulfill the mission,” this incident serves a significant test. The disruption of essential infrastructure not only affects daily operations, but highlights a breakdown in the cooperation and mutual respect that should guide a shared sacred space.

The SJUMC leadership is urging the community to pray for a swift and peaceful resolution to this matter. Community support is vital as the church works to uphold its mission and ensure the safety and continuity of its ministry. As Nehemiah 2:18 says, “Let us rise up and build,” a call that now carries renewed meaning in the face of this challenge.