LGBTQ Ministry
St. Matt's has been a Christian faith center for LGBTQ persons in the LA area for many decades.
It was one of the founding congregations of the Lutheran LGBTQ organization "Lutherans Concerned," southern California chapter.
In 2009, our denomination, the ELCA, voted at its national convention to support the ordination of LGBTQ persons and the blessing of gay unions and gay marriage where legal. It continues to be a leading advocate for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in churches and in society.
We welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and inquiring persons into full participation in the life of our congregation as beloved Children of God.
SoCalLutherans/Lutherans Concerned at LA and Long Beach Pride
In partnership with SoCalLutherans, St. Matt's members volunteer each year at local pride celebrations. We maintain a booth inside LA and Long Beach Pride to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, the good news that God's love in Jesus Christ is for all people, and that LGBTQ persons are radically welcome at St. Matt's and the other Lutheran "Reconciling in Christ" (LGBTQ-friendly) churches in the area.
On the Sunday morning of LA Pride, Lutheran LGBTQ leaders join with ecumenical partners to hold a "street eucharist" to celebrate the gift of communion with Jesus Christ publicly with the LGBTQ community and allies gathered in West Hollywood for Pride.
LGBTQ Public Solidarity
When homophobia and violence against LGBTQ persons rear their sinful and hateful heads, we counter them with public witness to God's love for LGBTQ persons and God's call to justice. St. Matt's is prepared to respond quickly and powerfully as circumstances call us to do. Following the tragic attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, we joined with the North Hollywood interfaith community to hold a vigil of solidarity. We pray that such violence shall never occur. When it does, we are ready to act in the name of Jesus Christ.
World AIDS Day Remembrance
HIV/AIDS has had a profound and painful impact on the gay community since the epidemic of the 1980's. At St. Matt's we remember the saints who have gone before us who were impacted by HIV/AIDS in a special World AIDS Day remembrance service on the Sunday closest to December 1, World AIDS Day.
