Presbytery Assembly Meetings

Meeting Schedule

The Presbytery of Chicago is a Mid-Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), serving as a corporate expression of the PC(USA) in Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, Illinois, and composed of all PC(USA) congregations and ministers of the Word and Sacrament with these counties.   All Councils of the church (including the Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assembly) are tasked to help congregations and the church as a whole to be more faithful participants in the mission of Christ.  We do this by providing that the Word of God is truly preached and heard, the Sacraments rightly administered and received, and the covenant community of disciples of Christ are nurtured.

When the Presbytery of Chicago gathers for meetings, they are referred to as meetings of the Presbytery Assembly.   The Presbytery Assembly typically meets four times each year, and other times as needed.  The Session of each congregation elects a specific number of Ruling Elders to serve as Ruling Elder Commissioners.  When ministers are present for an Assembly meeting they are serving as Minister Commissioners.    These Ruling Elders and Ministers are collectively known as Presbyters.

For additional information, please consult chapter 3 of the Form of Government in the Book of Order.

Call to Stated Meeting

Presbytery of Chicago Assembly
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – 10:00 AM

hosted by

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield
824 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015

Pursuing worship, service, and communities of justice,
we become the Presbytery of Chicago,
flourishing together by relating people, neighbors,
and churches to one another in Christ Jesus.
Guided by the spirit of Matthew 25,
we envision a church and a world
shaped by Christ’s justice and compassion.

Connecting people, churches, and neighbors in Christ

Dear Commissioners,

In 2026, our Assembly Meetings continue to gather around the theme of mind, body, and spirit, with this September 15 gathering inviting us to attend to the gift of the spirit.

This gathering will feature worship, an examination of a minister who desires to transfer from the Christian Reformed Church to the PC(USA), a first reading of the 2027 Presbytery Budget, a vote on the 2027 Per Capita requested rate, sharing of resources from the Presbyterian Foundation, as well as several learning opportunities:

1. Preparing for Advent. Looking for the “just right” devotional or small group resource for Advent? Join Amy Pagliarella, Book Review Editor for The Presbyterian Outlook, for an overview of this season’s new releases. We’ll also check out some of the “best of the best” from recent years, discussing the best options for churches of all sizes, as well as for worship, groups, and individuals. Feel free to bring your favorite resources to share. (This workshop is in person only)
2. Finger Labyrinths: A Time to Pause, Center, and Prepare. Guided by our “Mind, Body, Spirit” theme, join advanced labyrinth facilitator Kristie Finley for a finger labyrinth meditation offering space for stillness, reflection, and prayer. Bring the hopes, concerns, and questions you carry as we pause, center ourselves, and prepare for our shared ministry. Hand labyrinths will be provided. (This workshop is in person only)
3. “Where Do We Go From Here?” David Carlton will lead a breakout that shares insights from conversations across the Synod of Lincoln Trails around our awareness of congregational decline and what we are doing about it. (This workshop is available online and in person)

We continue growing in our ability to hold assembly meetings in a hybrid format, meaning you can participate in person or online using Zoom.

Parking is available on-site in the church parking lots. Lunch will also be provided through per capita contributions.

Meeting sign-in, name badge pickup, and fellowship begin at 9:15 AM.

The worship and business segments of the meeting will begin at 10:00 AM.

Please note the following in connection with this assembly meeting:

Pre-registration is requested – Click HERE to register.
Please indicate if you will be attending by Zoom or in person, and if you will be joining us for lunch, as well as which workshop you would like to attend.

A map and directions to First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield can be found HERE. There is free parking on the building’s south, west, and north sides.

Sign-in and name badge pickup begin at 9:15 AM.

Childcare/family-member care vouchers are available HERE.

The Meeting Packet: An email notice will be sent out by September 8, 2026, with instructions on downloading the meeting packet from our website. The meeting packet will contain the docket and reports for this meeting. Please save this document to your electronic device. If you need a printed copy, please print what you need.

A digital copy of the docket and the meeting packet will be available via a QR code; please bring your electronic device.

Looking forward to seeing and serving with you all as we gather on September 15, 2026. We remain,

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Ken Hockenberry
Stated Clerk

Craig Howard
Executive Presbyter

Megan Hendrickson
Senior Administrative Assistant