Unbinding the Church: Chicago Presbytery Assembly meets at Burning Bush Brewery

The Revs. Kristin Hutson of Edgewater, Amy Pagliarella of Fourth, Rocky Supinger of Fourth, and Mr. David Coughlin. Photo: Gerald Farinas.

In a bold departure from the traditional sanctuaries and fellowship halls that usually host such gatherings, the Chicago Presbytery Assembly met tonight in a brewery.

But not just any brewery—Burning Bush Brewery at 4014 N. Rockwell, co-owned by Presbyterian Church (USA) minister Rev. Brent Raska.

The irony was not lost on anyone: holding sacred deliberations in a place where beer flows from taps and patrons come for community, not communion.

And yet, the Spirit moved—perhaps more freely than usual.

Presbytery meetings, typically filled with formal motions, procedural votes, and sobering decisions, took on a different flavor tonight—figuratively and literally.

With cold rain outside, in the warm open space of Burning Bush, with glasses clinking and the sometimes loud hum of conversation echoing under exposed beams and brick walls, the gathered elder commissioners of the Church conducted the holy business of a denomination in transformation.

The host congregations for the evening were Mayfair Presbyterian Church and Ravenswood Presbyterian Church.

Their story, shared tonight by the Revs. Magdalena Garcia and Stefanie Coleman, reminded us that resurrection is already taking place in our midst.

Ravenswood, which sold its longtime property and sought refuge after a journey of uncertainty—connecting with churches like Edgewater Presbyterian along the way—ultimately found a new spiritual home with Mayfair.

But it wasn’t a simple pairing. It was a learning process. One that required patience, humility, and above all, deep love.

Revs. Garcia and Coleman spoke candidly about what it means to be two congregations in one community—especially when one of those congregations is a largely Spanish-speaking iglesia.

They had to learn how to navigate cultural differences, liturgical preferences, language barriers, and expectations rooted in different traditions. It wasn’t always easy. But it was faithful.

And tonight, their story stood as a testament to what it looks like when churches choose collaboration over competition, relationship over rivalry.

The presence of Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly, brought a poignant gravitas to the gathering.

As the PCUSA’s version of a presiding bishop—akin to the leaders found in more episcopal traditions like the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Anglican churches—Rev. Armstrong offered more than encouragement; she offered a calling.

Her reflection on the story of Lazarus—particularly Jesus’ instruction to the community, “Unbind him and let him go”—struck a profound chord.

It wasn’t Jesus alone who brought Lazarus back to life. It was the community, the Church, that had to finish the miracle.

They had to get their hands dirty.

They had to peel away the old wrappings of death and let him step into a new day.

“What is keeping us from unbinding the dead parts of our work?” she asked. “What is keeping us from letting the Church go? From letting the Church love anew?”

These were not rhetorical questions.

One of the most solemn responsibilities before us tonight was to close another church congregation.

There was no cheering, no applause. Just quiet hearts and a few deep sighs.

The closure of a church is never a sign of failure, but a signpost on the road of change.

It reminds us that the Church—as we’ve known it—is not static.

That the models that served past generations may no longer be the vessels of grace for today.

And it forces us to confront what we must now unbind.

What happens when a brewery becomes a sanctuary?

When the Word is preached between kegs and kitchen counters?

When the wine of community is actual wine—or perhaps a good saison?

Perhaps it means we’re starting to see that sacred space is not always where we expect it, and that sacred work often begins in the least expected places.

Tonight was about more than votes and minutes and motions. It was about remembering that the Church is not the building.

It is not even the denomination.

It is the people—people who gather in pews and breweries alike.

People who unbind each other from grief, from stagnation, from old expectations, from the tombs we pretend are still alive.

If we are brave enough to believe that resurrection means something, we must also be brave enough to do the work of unbinding.

And maybe, just maybe, we need a few more brewery meetings to remind us that the Spirit cannot be contained.

Not in a tomb.

Not in a church.

Not even in a pint glass.

The Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly. Photo: Gerald Farinas.

The Revs. Magdalena Garcia of Ravenswood and Stefanie Coleman of Mayfair. Photo: Gerald Farinas.

The Burning Bush Brewery taproom. Photo: Gerald Farinas.

Elder Commissioners begin business. The Rev. Elias Cabarcas walks from the left as Rev. Kristin Hutson walks toward the microphone. Photo: Gerald Farinas.