Leaders

Holy Covenant’s leadership structure involves a variety of groups and committees that oversee the programs and operations of the church and implement our mission. See our ministries page for more information.

Staff Leadership

Rev. Matthew W. Johnson, Pastor

Matthew Johnson became the pastor of Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in July 2011 and values being a part of a congregation that has such a great history of advocacy for those who the church and world has traditionally disenfranchised. He prays he can continue to lead the community to practice openness, welcome and transformation in the tradition and spirit of Jesus.

Johnson comes to HCUMC by way of The United Methodist Church of Geneva where he had served as associate pastor since 2007. At UMCG, he was a lead researcher in an experiment to see if a traditional congregation can live with and love a community of non-traditional Christians. He was responsible for the launching literature, film and pub groups as expressions of this experiment. Following in the way of Jesus, he also took seriously the responsibility of being a voice for the voiceless and the marginalized, which led to advocacy for the homeless, underemployed and shadow populations and grew into lay-led programs like meal ministries and a coalition for transportation equity.

In 2003, Johnson left his publishing job to enroll at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He was the pastor of two rural congregations northeast of Rockford while at UDTS. And, while ordained ministry may technically be his second career, it has always been his first calling. From his initial interest in political action to his work as a community journalist and a not-for-profit leader, Johnson has always sought to point to the greater truth, build meaningful relationships and advocate for justice.

He believes that the canon of Christian faith rings true in all of creation and is just as likely to point to evidence of God’s grace in literature, art, film, television and social networking as he is scripture. For him, liturgy isn’t a script for worship but rather the holy interaction we all share in being God’s children.

Johnson just celebrated 12 years of marriage with his spouse, Emily. Together, they have a precocious four-year-old daughter, Liberty. For fun, he enjoys all things bicycle, tweaking the controls on circuit-bent instruments, watching films and (occasionally) making them.

Andrew Collins, Director of Music

A life-long Chicagoan, Andrew was born three blocks away from Holy Covenant, and as a child even attended Sunday school here. He has been the music minister since 1997 and an ensemble leader for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston since 2004.

Through his leading, singing and playing, Andrew helps the congregation and choir praise God through music. When not at the church, Andrew works as a professional musician playing parties and events.

Kara Teeple, Dignity Diner Coordinator

Kara has been the Coordinator of Holy Covenant’s Dignity Diner for nine years.

She has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University and is currently the Deputy Director of Permanency and Placement services for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services where she has worked for the last 11 years. Kara also sits on the Board of the National Association of State Foster Care Managers.

Steve Thorngate, Evening Worship Leader

Steve grew up in an evangelical church, where he cut his musical teeth playing in praise bands. He studied classical music at Wheaton College and has since worked in several churches that have welcomed his passion for music that a) is stylistically eclectic and b) encourages everyone present to sing. Steve loves many kinds of music but has a particular interest in traditional country gospel.

By day Steve works in nonprofit journalism. He’s currently an editor at the Christian Century magazine; before this he interned at Sojourners and the Utne Reader and edited publications for a social policy advocacy organization. Steve is also the music director at Christ Lutheran in Albany Park, a job he’ll continue alongside his work at Holy Covenant.

He and his wife, Nadia Stefko, live in Hyde Park, where Nadia is a student at the University of Chicago Divinity School. They like to cook, preserve food, geek out about beer, play Scrabble, and lavish embarrassing amounts of attention on their cat.

Polly Toner, Ministry Associate

Polly has been a resident of Lakeview/Lincoln Park since 1997 where she currently lives with her Beagle, Bella. She has also lived in Idaho, Massachusetts, Southern California, and briefly in both Wisconsin and Salt Lake City. She completed her undergraduate work and Occupational Therapy school at the University of Southern California.

She attended Divinity School at the University of Chicago with some extra work at McCormick Theological Seminary, and is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, Polly has been involved with Protestant churches since junior high when she persuaded her family to give the Presbyterian church in San Diego a try. Both Fourth Presbyterian and Lakeview Presbyterian churches in Chicago have been formative during her journey into ordained ministry.

Polly enjoys her work with older adults and youth in physical rehabilitation, mental health and school settings, and in faith communities. She continues to work at St. Joseph Hospital where she has been on staff for 15 years. She looks forward to getting to know the Holy Covenant community, learning and growing along side everyone, and participating in God’s work in the world here.

Those who look at her eclectic music collection, books or inbox may struggle to put her into a category. She is passionate about people, inclusion and health care; loves the outdoors, travel and dogs; and is happiest when she makes time to exercise regularly.

Deacons

Monica Isaac, Deacon

Monica is a commissioned deacon and has been attending Holy Covenant for two years. She has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and serves as a chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center. She is also the Mission Secretary for the Chicago Northwestern District of the United Methodist Church. In her free time, Monica enjoys riding her bicycle along Lake Michigan, cooking, photography, and spending time with family.

Support Staff

Ellen Willett, Office Administrator

Ellen joined Holy Covenant in January 2009 with a background in small business and non-profit administration with diverse organizations such as Steppenwolf Theatre, GLSEN, and Spine-health.com. In addition to her work with Holy Covenant, she is actively involved in Chicago theatre as a Stage Manager for several companies, most recently Lifeline Theatre in Rogers Park and Steep Theatre Company in Edgewater, and freelances as a web marketing consultant. Ellen also has a great love of music and serves on the board of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), a unique and vibrant music ensemble dedicated to advancing the music of our time. In her unscheduled time, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and trying new things.  She is proud to be a part of the unique Holy Covenant community.

Lay Leaders

Allison Chaplain, Lay Leader

Allison has been coming to Holy Covenant since 2002.  She passed the church every morning on her way to the el, for about 6 months, before finally walking through the doors.  She has never looked back.  She moved to Chicago in the fall of 2001 after graduating from Missouri State University with a B.S. in Marketing Research.  Allison has been working in the research/analytics field since 2001 and has obtained a Master’s of Science in Marketing Analysis from DePaul in 2004.  She has been very active in the church since day one having served on the Finance Committee, Trustees, Reconciling Ministries Committee, Fundraising, Missions, and History Committee.  The openness and accepting love from Holy Covenant was the biggest initial draw for Allison.  She never stops being amazed as she continues to learn of the strong history of justice and support for others the church has provided.  She hopes to continue inspiring and living that great work.  Her goals as Lay Leader are to support the congregation during this time of transition and to build up our church leaders to accomplish all of the wonderful things God has in store for Holy Covenant in 2012.

Andrew Schumacher, Lay Leader

Andrew hails from Munster, Indiana where he grew up and attended Ridge UMC. He ventured to Williamsburg, Virginia to attend the College of William and Mary, and sooner or later became an active member of the Wesley Foundation United Methodist campus ministry. College was a time of great spiritual growth for Andrew when he really took full ownership of his faith. After serving in various student leadership roles at Wesley and loving every minute of it, he graduated with a degree in Marketing and did a one year stint at a media agency in Detroit before transferring to the Chicago office in 2006 (where his then-girlfriend, now-wife Amy was living). A couple years later when it was time to find a new church home, Andrew (and Amy) found Holy Covenant through glowing reviews from a friend of a friend. Right away, Andrew was impressed with the sense of community and saw Holy Covenant as a place he could see himself growing spiritually. Andrew got hooked on singing in the choir and has been a part of various small groups and activities. He is honored to be serving as a Lay Leader and hopes to be a good listening ear, provide greater understanding of the inner workings of the church, and help get folks plugged into leadership within the HC family.

In addition, lay leaders serve on committees and in ministry areas. Interested in leadership? Service opportunities and committee positions are open to all.