Rev. Tania Guzman, an out lesbian from the Dominican Republic, is the new interim pastor at Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church, 9145 Grant Ave., in suburban Brookfield. This is her first time in the Chicago area.
Guzman, 38, who is single and was ordained in MCC in 2007, has previously been at churches in her native country and several in Florida.
Her tenure started Feb. 2, and runs through Jan. 31, 2015, and it is possible to extend if the interim process needs it, she said.
"In my commitment to MCC, I always go where the denomination needs me," Guzman said. "Prior to accepting the post I visited the church, [and] liked [the congregation] immediately."
She noted its "friendliness [and] great generosity to those in need, [plus its] commitment to social justice, and openness to progressive Christianity."
Guzman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and earned a degree from Southern Adventist University. She then earned a Master of Divinity from Florida Center from Theological Studies, and is now enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at the Episcopal Divinity School.
Guzman also has served the MCC denomination as a faculty member of the MCC Leadership Mentoring Retreat and as part of the leadership for MCC Hispanic church plant in North America.
"As the interim pastor, my goals for Holy Covenant are to strengthen the ministries we already have and seek further growth in service to others and spirituality following the eight points of progressive Christianity," she said.
Her goals locally are "to continue to grow with [the church] in our journey, both spiritually and in our involvement with the pursuit of justice," she said.
Holy Covenant MCC has about 50 diverse members, crossing all colors of the LGBT rainbow, and straight members, too.
"The purpose of our Social Action Ministry ( SAM ) is to enable our church family to celebrate our call to reach out to others by teaching our congregants that our faith mandates action, and to provide the church with various social action opportunities in the areas of compassion and human rights," she said. "Through social action, we recognize that we are engaged not only in worship weekly, but also in the neighborhood locally and globally."
Holy Covenant MCC is active with the Night Ministry in Pilsen, and every last Tuesday of the month is Holy Covenant's night to provide food, clothing, toiletries, etc. "We also collect offerings for the Night Ministry," she said. "On the first Sunday of every month, as part of our Loaves & Fishes ministry, the people of Holy Covenant MCC make donations of food and toiletries to [the food pantry at] St. Barbara's Church in Brookfield.
"We collaborate with various community social service agencies, such as Community Support Services, Pillars, Crop Walk, and Beds Plus.
"As an MCC church, the LGBTQ community and social justice is our main focus. We provide a space especially for the LGBTQ community for worship, spiritual healing and wholeness. And as a MCC church we are on a bold mission to transform hearts, lives, and history. Just as Jesus did, we are called to do justice, show kindness, and live humbly with God.
"We are active in LGBTQ issues, from marches to following and signing petitions from our denomination through social media, and being of service and in collaboration with Equality Illinois and the Human Rights Campaign."
The church was active in support of the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality last October, sending many of its members to the event.
Upcoming events over the next few months at Holy Covenant MCC include:
A spring dance on May 17; and
an appearance and talk from MCC Moderator Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson on May 24.
For more information about Holy Covenant MCC, visit www.holycovenantmcc.org .