A United Methodist pastor in Missouri has been suspended from her clergy duties after church leaders learned she previously worked for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has now prompted a formal review by denominational leadership.
An article in the United Methodist News (UM News) noted that Bishop Robert Farr of the United Methodist Church’s Missouri Conference confirmed that the Rev. Stephanie Remington, an ordained elder in the conference, has been placed on suspension while the matter is investigated.
According to a statement from the conference, the action follows standard church procedures while leadership evaluates the circumstances.
“The individual has been placed on suspension while the episcopal office reviews the matter,” the Missouri Conference said.
How the Connection to Epstein Came to Light
The situation reportedly surfaced after the Rev. Elizabeth Glass Turner, a writer and editor, reviewed the Epstein files. Remington reportedly worked for Epstein in 2018 and 2019 before his second arrest.
According to reports, Remington’s duties included overseeing logistical matters such as guest travel arrangements and facility projects, including renovations to the island’s kitchen.
At this time, no criminal accusations have been made against Remington.
Timeline of Remington’s Employment
As UM News noted, Remington served as an administrative assistant from August through December 2018. She later worked as a temporary property manager on Epstein’s private island from January until May 2019, before he was arrested again in July 2019.
Remington told United Methodist News she never witnessed anything inappropriate while working in the role.
“I never saw anything,” she said. “I knew him for the last nine months of his life, well after he served time for the things that he was accused of doing.”
Church Investigation Focuses on Reporting Requirements
While no criminal wrongdoing has been alleged, the church’s review centers on whether Remington properly informed denominational leaders about her employment.
Under the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline, clergy working in “extension ministries”—positions outside traditional pastoral roles—must submit annual reports to church leadership outlining their work and ministry setting.
“The Missouri Conference had no knowledge of the individual’s association with Mr. Epstein,” they said in a statement.
Remington, however, said she later mentioned the job during a conversation with her district superintendent and believed she had fulfilled the required reporting.
Remington Explains Her Decision
Remington has also addressed the ethical questions surrounding her decision to work for Epstein.
In a 2019 blog post written under the pseudonym Jerusha Moon, she explained that she wrestled with whether it was appropriate to accept the job.
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She ultimately concluded that her Christian beliefs about grace influenced her decision.
“And I felt that if I withheld relationship from this man because of his past, then I would be turning my back on every message of hope I have ever preached, every invitation to God’s unconditional love I have ever extended, and my calling to be a healing presence in the world for all people,” she wrote.
She also compared her association to that of Jesus and those He kept in His circle, stating:
Jesus got into a lot of trouble for the company he kept, but he didn’t let that trouble pressure him into rejecting the people who, by their standards, did not deserve to be human…Social death is just another kind of murder. He opened his heart and his mind to them, and they opened their tables and alabaster jars to him. Is Jeffrey not among their kind?…Of course he didn’t deserve a second chance. None of us do. But that’s not how grace works.
Remington also defended Epstein, stating that:
Half of America wants to tie him to the Clintons. The other half wants to tie him to Trump…their hunch is correct. Jeffrey was very proud to have direct lines to all his presidents. If association with sinners makes one guilty, then the church is in an awful state. I have heard the confessions of the people in my pews. I know their stories. We’re just people. The human kind.
Confronting the Evil of Epstein’s Crimes
While the current investigation focuses on a church leadership matter, it is important to clearly state the moral reality surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s actions. The crimes connected to Epstein were heinous, deeply disturbing and devastating to countless victims. His trafficking and abuse of children represent some of the darkest expressions of human depravity and the misuse of power.
There can be no minimizing or excusing such evil. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to defend the vulnerable and to bring darkness into the light (Eph. 5:11). The suffering of Epstein’s victims is not a political talking point or a passing news story—it represents real lives harmed by exploitation and manipulation.
The gospel proclaims that God’s grace is available to all people, but it also makes clear that there is no way to God without the repentance of sins. The Bible teaches that true repentance involves turning away from sin and humbling oneself before God. As Acts 3:19 declares, “Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
In Epstein’s case, there was no clear public evidence that he ever expressed genuine repentance for the atrocities tied to his name. Instead, the case left behind a trail of unanswered questions, shattered lives and a global scandal that exposed how wealth and influence can be used to hide great evil.
For the church, this moment serves as a sobering reminder. While Christians are called to extend grace, they are also called to stand firmly for truth and justice.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
