The 188th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago was held as a two-part event, over two days, celebrating the theme “Christian Connection.” Delegates across the diocese gathered online and in person to worship, elect representatives, and vote on resolution.
On Tuesday, November 18, an online business session was conducted on Zoom from 6:30 – 9 pm, with more than 450 Episcopalians gathered online to participate. Bishop Paula Clark, Parliamentarian Todd Young, Teller Brad Linboom, and Secretary Carlos de la Torre led members of the convention through the business of convention on Zoom webinar. Finance Committee Co-chairs David Arch and Pat Cornelius-Woods presented the 2026 budget.
Then, on Saturday, November 22, the convention resumed in person at Cliffbreakers Event Center in Rockford. The in-person portion of the convention included the Convention Eucharist, led by Bishop Paula Clark; an update on the Strategic Planning Process from Saison Consulting; lunch and fellowship; and the consideration of three resolutions proposed to the convention.
Read an overview of the 2025 Convention and take a look below to see the results and highlights at this year’s convention.
Videos and Worship
Bishop Clark’s Convention Address, November 18 on Zoom
Bishop Clark’s Convention Sermon, November 22 at Cliffbreakers
Convention Compline and Compline Worship Booklet
Election Results
Bishop and Trustees:
L.D. Wood-Hull, Clergy Member
Standing Committee:
Daphne Cody, Clergy Member, 3-year term; Bryan Cones, Clergy Member, 1-year term
General Convention Deputation, Clergy:
Kristin Saylor, Tim Murray, Andrea Mysen, M.E. Eccles
General Convention Deputation, Lay:
Crystal Plummer, Richard Benson, Katie Balke
Episcopal Appointments
Disciplinary Board, appointed for 3-year term ending 2028
Andrea Garland, All Saints’, Chicago
Paul Adler, St. David’s, Glenview
Deans, appointed for 2-year term ending November 2027 unless noted
Aurora Deanery
Brad Linboom, Holy Nativity, Clarendon Hills
Chicago South Deanery
Fulton Porter, St. Thomas, Chicago
Oak Park Deanery
L.D. Wood-Hull, All Saints, Western Springs
Peoria Deanery
Peggy Lee, All Saints, Rock Island
Waukegan Deanery
Claire Makins, Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest
Elgin Deanery
M.E. Eccles, St. Martin, Des Plaines (Appointed for 1-year term ending November 2026)
2026 Commission on Ministry
Rose Cicero, Holy Nativity, Clarendon Hills and St. Andrew, Downers Grove
Emily Culbertson, St. Christopher, Oak Park
Deborah DeManno, St. Lawrence, Libertyville
Jess Elfring-Roberts, Church of Our Saviour, Chicago
Varsie Geisler, St. Peter, Sycamore
Fran Holliday, retired
Michelle James, St. Edmund, Chicago
Deb Lang, Trinity, McHenry
Juan Reed, Spiritual Director
Tommy Rogers, Bishop Anderson House
Kristin Saylor, St. Lawrence, Libertyville
Adam Spencer, St. Elisabeth, Glencoe
Diocesan Council:
Appointed for 3-year term ending November 2028
Elgin Deanery
Don Frye, St. James, West Dundee
Peoria Deanery
Rob Hensley, St. John, Kewanee
Rockford Deanery
Brian Prall, Grace, Freeport
Waukegan Deanery
Dawn Stary, St. Ignatius, Antioch
Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer
Jaime Briceño, St. Michael and All Angels, Berwyn
Trustees of the Endowment Fund:
MaryPat Mauro, St. James Cathedral (appointed for a term ending 2028)
Clergy Relief Society: Appointed for a 3-year term
George Hull, retired
Judy Bross, St. Chrysostom, Chicago
2026 Budget
View the 2026 Budget as approved by Diocesan Council and Bishop and Trustees, and the accompanying budget narrative in English and Spanish.
A Budget Preview was held on Monday, November 10. View the Zoom recording in English with ASL interpretation or with Spanish interpretation
Resolutions
The convention considered and passed three resolutions relating to priest compensation; the ECO DioChicago Task Force; and Migration with Dignity. Read the resolutions, as approved, in English and Spanish.
Reports to Convention
The commissions, committees and task forces of the diocese submit annual reports for review at Diocesan Convention. These include the Antiracism Commission (ARC), Archives Committee, Audit Review Committee, Bishop and Trustees, Clergy Relief Society, Commission on Global Ministry, Commission on Ministry, Committee on Hunger, Common Mission Share, Congregations Commission, Diocesan Council, Eco DioChicago, Episcopal Charities, Episcopal Church Women, Hispanic Affairs Committee, Health Insurance, Peace and Justice Committee, Priest Compensation Report, Province V Executive Board, Sanctuary Committee, Standing Committee, Trustees of the Endowment Fund and United Thank Offering (UTO).
View the reports in English. Ver los Informes en español.
Gratitude and Thanks!
Convention would not be possible without the leadership, time and talent of so many individuals: David Arch, Matt Berryman, Will Bouvel, Kyla Chapman-Neal, Colin Collette, Pat Cornelius-Woods, Carlos de la Torre, Kelly Eckmeyer, Jess Elfring-Roberts, Lois Garland, Ian Grant-Funck, Danielle Hardesty, Tyler Hillman, Richard Hoskins, Wes Kimes, Kenji Kuramitsu, Angel Langley, Brad Linboom, Doug Luce, Amy Meadows, Annette Mileski, Scott Neal, Ross Neir, Leah Ostwald, Jacob Perkins, Debbie Rakestraw, Courtney Reid, Ellie Simpson, George Smith, Newland Smith, Rachel Snavely, Peg Taylor, Bob Trask, Todd Young and Scott Zaucha.
Pamela and Bob Hillenbrand for ensuring the safety of all participants
Nathan Kirkpatrick and Anne Smith from Saison Consulting
Nancy Bryan, project manager
Scott Casey from Vistacom
Suzanne Tennant Photography
Our interpreters – Spanish: Dinorah, Gabriela, Cristiana, Cecy; ASL: Kacie, Tracy, Paula, Denise, Rivka, Anne
The Staff at Cliffbreakers and SVL Productions
Bishop Paula Clark and the Bishop’s staff: Jen Boyle-Tucker, Tom Camell, Mike Choquette, Mariah De La Fuente, Rebecca Elfring-Roberts, Luis Garcia, Karin Gutierrez, T.J. Houlihan, Doris Jones, Keith Kampert, Andrea Mysen, Kyle Oliver, Crystal Plummer, Graicey Van Spankeren
All who participated virtually or in-person!