We started in the Fall of 2020, during COVID-19. Our Church had taken a vote to become a Reconciling Congregation just prior to the shutdown. We had a new minister coming in July, and he was a Social Justice advocate. So, the newly formed Social Justice team met online and chose our efforts. LGBTQIA+ was important to many because St. Matthew’s UMC was a Reconciling Congregation.
Our first effort, which is still ongoing, was to educate our congregation through online coffee chats and articles in our monthly newsletter, the Circuit Rider. Once our doors opened again we had Video/Discussions with Luncheons, Book Clubs, supported The Trevor Project, and Guest Speaker/Discussions. We have also done four annual LGBTQIA+ Sunday Services with some outside speakers and some speakers from within our congregation. All were very well attended and received.
In 2023, St. Matthew’s participated in the Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival. We were honored to be participating in such a beautifully affirming event. Everyone who attended this event was understandably surprised to see a church at such an event, but they were very appreciative and welcoming as well. We participated in 2024 and have already been accepted to participate on May 31, 2025.