st. matthew's united methodist church

14900 Annapolis Rd, Bowie Maryland 20715 Call Us 301-262-1408

Logo of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. It features a stylized cross with a mosaic design above the text St. Matthews United Methodist Church in blue and green.
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LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Our purpose is to teach and guide our congregation and our community on allyship and compassion for LGBTQIA+ people. We welcome any person just as they are, and provide a safe space for anyone entering our doors. We will always provide a space for justice and peace while drawing our circle wider. For more information or to join our team, please contact lgbtqadvocacy@stmatthews-bowie.org

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In addition to providing a safe space, St. Matthew’s does various things to help others understand the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ people and explore ways to be an ally.  We celebrate LGBTQIA+ Sunday yearly and do book chats, movie discussions, and host guest speakers. Since 2023, St. Matthew’s has participated in Annapolis PRIDE Parade and Festival.  
 
What does LGBTQIA+ mean?
 
This acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and others. Learn more in these articles:
Our Plans for 2025:
    • The Children’s Hour Movie Discussion, Sunday, May 30th, Noon, SHEEP Barn. 
    • LGBTQIA+ Sunday, May 18th at 10am, Sanctuary
    • Annapolis PRIDE Parade and Festival: Sat., May 31st
    • Summer Book Club discussion of Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan, Mon, June 9th and Mon, July 7th at 7:30pm in SHEEP Barn
    • Fall Book Club discussion of Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, Mon., Oct 27 7:30pm in SHEEP Barn and Zoom.
Additionally, St. Matthew’s supports Trevor Project and Reconciling Ministry Network. We have been a Reconciling Congregation since 2019. You can find support resources for LGBTQIA+ here 
 
To learn more or volunteer, contact lgbtqadvocacy@stmatthews-bowie.org.
A choir of diverse individuals stands in a church, singing from black folders. They are in front of colorful banners and a screen displaying song lyrics. The audience is seated in pews, attentively watching the performance.

Our History

We started in the Fall of 2020, during COVID-19. Our Church had taken a vote to become a Reconciling Congregation just prior ...
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An older woman in a light blue hat and shirt waves a rainbow flag at a pride parade. People in tie-dye shirts holding a Love is Love banner walk ahead. A decorated vehicle follows on the street lined with spectators and colorful flags.

Annapolis Pride

St. Matthew’s participated in the 2023 and 2024 Annapolis PRIDE Parade and Festival. We were so excited to be there ...
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A person stands at a podium wearing a tie-dye shirt, speaking at an event. Beside them, a colorful banner with the text EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE hangs. A sign on the podium reads, If you cant find one, BE ONE. Attendees are seated in the foreground.

LGBTQ+ Sunday Services

St. Matthew’s UMC has held LGBTQIA+ Sunday Service since 2020. In past years, guest speakers and our own members shared ...
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