I am trying to hold back my enthusiasm for our first in-person Presbytery Assembly since the pandemic! After meeting these past two years in small squares on our computer/tablet/smart phone screens, we are going to see one another face to face. I have met many of you when worshiping at your congregation or session meetings, but now will be a chance to meet and greet many more for the first time. It’s going to be great!
Hosting the Assembly on Zoom has been beneficial. It has allowed people to conveniently participate from all corners of the presbytery. Our plan is to have two of our four Assemblies in person and two on Zoom. Of the two in-person Assemblies, one will be in the city of Chicago and one in the suburbs. The two Zoom Assemblies will be held in the winter months of November and February.
Presbyteries across the country have attempted hybrid assemblies with mixed results. We have yet to find a way for people participating at home to have the same experience as those in-person. This is especially difficult with voting and debating because of the time-lapse experienced on the Zoom platform. For this reason, we have decided not to attempt hybrid meetings. Instead, the meeting will be live streamed for those who have registered but cannot attend. Unfortunately, only those who are in-person will be able to vote and debate.
The format for the Assembly is slightly different. We will begin with business and then move into worship followed by fellowship dinner. Our speaker is Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Co-Moderator of the PC(USA). In addition to preaching, Co-Moderator Starling-Louis will participate in a time of questions from you! This is the opportunity to ask the Co-Moderator that burning question you’ve been holding for years! She will then preside over communion as we prepare for fellowship together. Co-Moderator Starling-Louis’ biography can be found here.
It appears that the weather will be dry and warm. I can’t speak for the traffic, though. Just give yourself plenty of time to arrive at Glen Ellyn, First Presbyterian Church, 550 North Main Street
Glen Ellyn, by 4:00 pm. Registration will open at 3:30 pm. Bring your best smile and a gentle spirit as we plan to discern, have devotion, debate, and decide together!
Rev. Craig Howard
