Metropolitan Chicago Synod ELCA – In Jesus' name: proclaim the gospel, make disciples, do justice.

Nurturing Leaders

In the diverse MCS, we embrace traditional and innovative paths to ministry.

Supporting Congregations

With resources from the synod and wider church, we offer guidance to our 165 congregations.

Celebrating Diversity

Our rostered leaders and congregations are among the most diverse in the ELCA.

Welcome to Our Synod

We are glad you found this site and welcome you to learn about the ministries of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. Perhaps you are looking for a church home. Perhaps you are here to find information as a leader or congregation. Whether you’re here for a specific reason or just curious, you are welcome here.

As the ELCA professes, we are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person—questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the sake of the world.

Upcoming eventS

Bishop election: Pre-identification forums next week

Five rostered ministers of the synod will participate in Bishop Pre-identification forums next week. The five people who have been pre-identified and feel called to join the process are Bishop Yehiel Curry, Pastor Jennie English-Dumont, Pastor Katie Hines-Shah, Pastor Jeff Mikyska, and Pastor Jeanine Reardon. [Pictured, left to right in both rows.]

Synod Assembly voting members were invited to participate in a pre-identification canvass which closed April 11. There were 47 total responses, including one duplicate. Seventeen different names were submitted, including one ineligible name.

Everyone in the synod is welcome to attend a forum to hear the pre-identified pastors speak and answer pre-determined set of questions. The May 13 forum at LSTC will be recorded and available on the website for viewing.

The forums are:

Monday, May 12, noon-2 p.m.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 802 E Geneva Rd, Wheaton

Tuesday, May 13, 7-9 p.m.

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 5416 S Cornell Ave Fourth Floor, Chicago. Garage parking is available for $5. Street parking is also available

Thursday, May 15, 7-9 p.m.

Jubilee Faith, 17450 Crawford Ave, Country Club Hills. ASL translation will be available at this forum

Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.-noon

Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 460 Sunset Ridge Rd, Northfield

Note: these forums are a pre-assembly opportunity to get to know leaders in the synod. The bishop election itself does not begin until the Synod Assembly, Friday morning, May 30, when the election begins from scratch with an ecclesiastical or nominating ballot on which voting members may enter (nominate) the name of a pastor.

The assembly is May 30-31 at the Q Center in St. Charles.

Proclaim the gospel, make disciples and do justice in Jesus’ name

Who We Are

The Metropolitan Chicago Synod (MCS) is made up of 165 congregations and eight Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities (SAWC). We are both urban and suburban, with 64,000 baptized members in four counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake. We are one of 65 synods in the ELCA.

Our mission statement calls us to proclaim the gospel, make disciples and do justice in Jesus’ name. We hope the images and information on these pages will introduce you to our synod—our faith and values, ministries and events. These pages are filled with practical information for congregations and leaders, and will help you become familiar with the synod staff and governance.

ANSWERING THE CALL

Candidacy Process

Are you considering a vocation in the church? The candidacy process–which includes Entrance, Endorsement and Approval–begins by contacting your synod office: or 773-248-0021. Our director of candidacy will visit with you about your vocational discernment and the candidacy process, what forms are necessary and how to complete them. Blessings on your journey!

February letter

A message from the bishop

Dear siblings in Christ,

Some of you are likely familiar with the phrase, “flood the zone.” It’s a sports metaphor currently used by politicians to fill the news cycle with so much, so fast, that the chaos causes us to be overwhelmed and distracted.

Through its executive orders and operations, the federal administration has in recent weeks targeted our transgender siblings, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Lutheran Social Services, federal employees, the Department of Education, agriculture, DEI programs, and others. People near and dear to us, and those on the other side of the world, are threatened, abandoned, fearful, and feel hopeless.

Even when we do not feel hopeful, we continue to walk with one another—accompaniment is a value we treasure in this synod and in the wider church. Other strengths of our synod include our diversity, our inclusion, and our social justice ministries. Our synod is rich in diversity, including LGBTQIA+ leaders, welcoming congregations, and ethnic-specific ministries. More so, we are committed to further strengthening and expanding our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging work. These are deep values. Who we say we are and what we do together as people of God, as a synod, matter. Our speech and action spring from our identity as children of a loving, forgiving, and just God—and from our relationships with one another.

In these difficult days, I am thankful for the church. I hope you are finding strength as you regularly gather around water, word, and meal. While current events flood the zone and overwhelm us, we remember a different kind of flood in which God made a covenant with God’s people and brought deliverance and freedom. We remember God’s promises to us and the world when we gather at the font to give thanks for baptism (ELW #119):

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.

Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.

At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the

Holy Spirit.

By water and your Word you claimed us as [children of God],

Making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

Please continue to reach out to my office—especially my faithful, compassionate associates, our conference deans, and your local congregational staff for care and resources.

I encourage you to participate in local, state, and national coalitions (such as ELCA Advocacy) so together we can move toward action and speak more powerfully. Look also to those closest to you—family members, neighbors, and faith communities—asking how recent events are impacting them. We are bound together and constructive conversations are key to shaping our world.

Together, we will continue to navigate these challenging waters, anchored in the hope and strength of one another and of our faith.

We are the church together,

Bishop Yehiel Curry

Publications

Get connected to the MCS by signing up for publications and following us on social media.

Congregational Support

As a synod, our work focuses on supporting and partnering with our congregations.

Leadership Support

Lay and clergy, find resources that will assist you in the work to which God has called you.

Ministries

God’s work takes many and various forms. Learn about the ministries of our synod.

Our Stories

Ph: 773-248-0021 | Address: 1420 W. Dickens Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614