Camille Cook Howe
Pastor-Elect
Introductory Brochure
Announcement Letter to the Congregation

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the Reverend Dr. Camille Cook Howe was enthusiastically and resoundingly elected by the congregation to serve as its next Pastor.

Currently serving, since 2010, as the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Georgetown Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., Camille is a native of Minnesota who grew up in a family rooted in both Catholic and Presbyterian traditions. She earned her Bachelor of Arts with honors from Vanderbilt University, majoring in religious studies and psychology and competing on the university’s rowing team. She pursued theological education at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was awarded the Parish Pulpit Fellowship—one of the seminary’s highest honors—as well as the Jagow Preaching Prize. The fellowship took her to study and serve in the United Kingdom, where she earned a Master of Theology in Applied Theology at Oxford University and began serving in congregational ministry abroad.

Camille’s pastoral experience spans three countries and a wide range of settings. She has served congregations in Oxford and London, England; Johannesburg, South Africa; New York City; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Washington, D.C. She served as Associate Pastor at St. Columba’s Church of Scotland in London, where, due to unexpected circumstances, she found herself as Acting Pastor and Head of Staff at the age of twenty-six. From early on, Camille has been committed to bridging tradition and innovation, parish ministry and global engagement.

In 2015 Camille completed her Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. Her dissertation, “Waging War on One’s Knees,” explored the power of prayer as a leadership tool in the ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reflecting her long-standing interest in the intersection of personal faith and the common good.

Camille’s influence reaches beyond the local church. She is the chair-elect of the Board of Trustees of Princeton Theological Seminary, beginning in 2025. She also serves on the board of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and was President of the Reformed Institute of Washington, D.C. Within the Presbyterian Church (USA), she has contributed through national committees and is widely respected for her collaborative leadership and strategic insight.

A gifted communicator, Camille is a sought-after preacher, teacher, and retreat leader. She has preached at Harvard’s Memorial Church, Montreat Conference Center, Day1 Radio, and St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. In 2015 she served as a guest chaplain to the U.S. Senate. She is a member of the Moveable Feast, a national cohort of prominent homileticians who gather regularly for theological dialogue and preaching enrichment.
At the heart of her ministry is a deep love for the local church. She believes in the powerful impact of the institution of the church both on individual lives of faith and on the community it seeks to love and serve. She believes it is a huge honor and blessing to be a pastor and walk with people through baptisms, weddings, and funerals—the most joyful and painful moments of their lives.

During her time in Washington, Camille met her amazing husband, David, and his children, William, Christopher, and Noushin, while raising her two children, Maisie and Finlay. David’s career has straddled both public service and business. He spent time in the Navy and worked at the White House on Homeland Security. Currently he is a consultant and travels frequently to help businesses generate sustainable performance improvements from within their organizations.

David and Camille enjoy trying new restaurants, hiking and playing sports, enthusiastically recording youth sporting events, and trying to squeeze in country music concerts from time to time. William, Christopher, and Noushin are all away at school but look forward to visiting Chicago and cheering for the local sports teams. Maisie and Finlay are on the lookout for new basketball and soccer teams to join. The Howe family is looking forward to making Chicago their home and getting to know the people of Fourth Church.

“Why Fourth Church?”

Camille Cook Howe writes, “I have long admired Fourth Presbyterian Church—from its historic role in shaping American Protestant life to its present-day witness as a bold, compassionate, and faithful community. Fourth Church holds a significant place in our denomination—not only because of its history and presence in Chicago, but also because of its forward-thinking ministry that reflects God’s light with clarity and conviction. To be considered for leadership among you is both humbling and deeply meaningful.

“From my first interactions with the members of the Pastoral Nominating Committee I felt their genuine love for their congregation and their hopes for its future. Getting to hear some of their stories about the role of faith throughout their lives was powerful and inspiring. Through the members of the PNC I have come to know and appreciate Fourth Church in new ways. You are a church rooted in tradition and also flourishing with creativity. You are a church that honors its Reformed heritage while leaning into the complexity of today’s world. You are a church that seeks to bring people into meaningful conversations about faith and Christian life. You are a church that warmly welcomes people and strives to be a “big tent” for all who seek to follow Jesus.

“It might sound surprising, but I was truly moved when reading your long-range plan and seeing how closely your vision mirrors my own passions and commitments as a faith leader. Growing in belonging and connections, deepening faith, engaging and serving the community, and ensuring our faithful stewardship of the church for today and for future generations—yes! I am eager to come alongside you and live into that vision together.

“Lastly, I was especially impressed by the committee’s affection for Chicago—not just as a setting, but as a partner in ministry. You love and care about this city, and that love is infectious. Your identity as a light in the city is an embodiment of God’s love in a visible and meaningful way for the place you call home. My family and I are eager to explore this city, put down roots, make new friends, and serve among you.

“If called to serve, I hope to be a faithful presence to you—as one who will listen, one who will lead, and one who will walk through all seasons of life with you. I would feel honored to enter into the sacred traditions of this place and to be your pastor.

“In this next chapter, I feel hopeful for the work we will do together, grateful for the gifts of this congregation, and excited to grow with you in faith, love, and service. I believe God is doing a new thing in our midst, and I am excited about how this church will grow and be transformed by the movements of the Holy Spirit in our midst!”

With gratitude and anticipation,
Camille Cook Howe

A Statement of Faith Excerpt

In her Statement of Faith Camille writes, “I believe in the Triune God revealed to us as God, the one Jesus called Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

“Christ is the head of the church, which is sustained through the work of the Holy Spirit. The church is commissioned by Christ to serve the world and witness to the gospel. The church serves as a witness to God’s continuing activity; in that, we acknowledge God as a living, moving presence in our lives, denomination, and world. But continually in need
of reformation, the church seeks to be reformed according to the Word
of God.

“Through the Holy Spirit, we pray the church is being refined and transformed. Refusing to be complacent, we look to the future as a place where Christ’s Word will be fully embodied. As a church we are called to foster true community, where despite our differences we embrace one another and work towards peace, justice, freedom, and faithfulness for all people. This community is called to trust God’s provision and to act boldly to embody and live out God’s reign.

“We live by faith and hope—faith that God’s love for us is steadfast and hope that we might live into the fullness of God’s grace. Nonetheless, the church prays for the day when Christ will return and usher in a new heaven and a new earth.”

—Camille Cook Howe