Chicago Northwestern District

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

Peace and grace to you from the fifty-seven congregations, two campus ministries, one college, and many other exciting ministries of the Chicago Northwestern District of The United Methodist Church. Framed by the Eisenhower Expressway, southern Lake County, parts of I-294, and Lake Michigan, the district is a beautiful tapestry of diverse faith communities serving a mosaic of neighborhoods in Chicago as well as a plethora of suburbs in Cook and Lake counties.

We read of Paul’s vision of the church in First Corinthians in the New Testament of the Bible. Paul’s hopes are evidenced in our racial, cultural, and social diversity as well as our deep and profound commitment to offer Christ in personal witness and social holiness. Our communities of faith include Korean, African, Latino-Hispanic, Vietnamese, Caribbean, African-American, Indian, Pakistani, multicultural, suburban, urban, large, small, Reconciling, and much, much…more. Truly, we are many parts of one sacred and Spirit-filled body.

In the midst of our diversity, we celebrate intentional ministry and mission through creative worship, powerful social justice ministry, transformative mission, and creative new outreach. From campus ministry to senior adult care, we live out our Christian faith in concrete ways of witness and expression. We also rejoice in the vision of planting new faith communities in growing areas of our district as we embrace our common vision of Harvest 2020.

I want to personally invite you to visit our churches and to explore our many ministries as a part of God’s loving call in your life and journey. I know you will experience wonderful people, warm hospitality, and a dynamic expression of the Christian faith in the twenty-first century. Welcome to the Chicago Northwestern District!

In Christ,
Rev. James Preston, District Superintendent