St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s Social Beliefs

This page provides an overview of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s Social Beliefs. We ask that you show grace, patience, and kindness to all.  Everyone is on a personal journey with God and understanding of what that means in our relationship with others; we understand that this applies to social beliefs as well. We simply ask that through God’s Love and Grace you honor our safe, respectful and prayerful space that allows for differences and learning. For further information or to volunteer, contact socialjustice@stmatthews-bowie.org.

• Mission Statement: Inclusive Community. Connecting in Christ. Making a Difference. 
• Welcoming Statement: St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is an inclusive church, connected to our community, and committed to welcoming all persons in every phase of church life. We choose to live by Christ’s example, affirming that all people are created in the image of God. We celebrate our diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, marital status, nationality, physical abilities, mental abilities, and economic position. Through the Spirit, we commit to live in the words of John Wesley to “love alike though we may not always think alike.”
• United Methodist Church’s Baptism Vow: We commit to “renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world” and “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” 
• United Methodist Social Principles
• United Methodist Social Creed
• Baltimore-Washington Conference Antiracist Church since 2020.
• Reconciling Ministries Network member since February 2020.
• Biblical References Supporting our “In This Church We Believe Banner” (2023)