PRESBYTERY OF CHICAGO ASSEMBLY MEETING SUMMARY First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 2/21/15 After lunch, Rev. John Azumah, an Associate Professor of World Even the polar vortex could not deter the Presbytery of Chicago Christianity and Islam at Columbia Theological Seminary, from attending to the business of Christ and his church. The warm preached on “Thy Kingdom Come.” Sonia Bodi, a ruling elder and hospitality of the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston more than member of Evanston, First was installed as the Presbytery made up for the cold, biting winds of February. moderator for 2015. Her theme for the year is based on the last of the Great Ends of the Church: “the exhibition of the Kingdom of The meeting began with national business of the PCUSA. Last Heaven to the World.” (F-1.0304). summer, the General Assembly proposed six amendments to the Book of Order. Book of Order amendments have to be approved The transitions approved at the November meeting were also by a majority of all presbyteries in order to be adopted. Five of the discussed. The Assembly thanked the Mission Priority Leadership six proposed amendments were approved as part of the omnibus Teams for their long years of service, and elected members to the motion, including one that required all councils to have a child new Transitional Mission Collaboration Team, to be moderated by protection policy and another that simplified the process of Rev. Susan Finley; and the Transitional Congregational Vitality approving accommodations to the particular circumstances of a Team, to be moderated by Rev. Shawna Bowman. The person seeking ordination as a teaching elder. Presbytery Coordinating Commission has appointed the Presbytery Reorganization and Implementation Task Force, to be The Presbytery chose to discuss proposed amendment 14-F, moderated by Rev. Cliff Lyda. The Assembly approved the which changes the definition of marriage in the Directory for proposed amendments to the Presbytery’s Manual of Operations Worship. After vigorous, respectful debate, the Presbytery of that implement the transitional process. PCC shared the results of Chicago voted to affirm that “Marriage involves a unique the Assembly Format Survey that was taken at the November commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a Assembly meeting. All of the various changes that were woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives.” implemented in 2014 were strongly approved. The General Assembly also proposed adding the Belhar Confession to the Book of Confessions. Chicago Presbytery spent Rev. Bob Reynolds, the Presbytery’s Executive Presbyter since time studying and discussing Belhar in preparation for voting in 2000, announced his retirement, effective at the end of April. September. The Assembly acknowledged his retirement and wished him well. It authorized both the position of Transitional The assembly approved the ordination of three new teaching Executive Presbyter, and the election (by PCC) of a Transitional elders: Kara Smith-Laubenstein, Elizabeth Nickerson, and Lora EP search committee. The search committee will prepare a job Burge. Kara will serve as temporary supply associate pastor at description and a timeline for approval at the April Assembly Libertyville, First; Elizabeth as designated associate pastor at meeting. Southminster, Arlington Heights; and Lora as a Chaplain Resident at Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare in Elmhurst. The Assembly considered and approved a balanced budget for The assembly also examined, approved and commissioned ruling 2015. As part of that budget, the Assembly approved 3% raises elder Julio Peña as a Commissioned Local Pastor to the Spirit of for the Assembly’s support staff. It also considered and approved Love Worshipping Fellowship in Chicago. Julio is a member of the 2% raises for the Presbytery’s executive staff as well as an Pullman Presbyterian Church, Chicago, and a former moderator of increase in their continuing education allowance and expenses. It the Presbytery Assembly. also elected Barbara Bundick to her fifth two-year term as Stated Clerk.