Anne Arundel Churches Unite for Ecumenical Pride Service

In a powerful demonstration of faith and solidarity, a coalition of fourteen Anne Arundel County churches hosted the 2025 Ecumenical Worship Service of Annapolis Pride on Sunday, June 1, at Eastport United Methodist Church. The service, themed "Growing in Pride, Growing in Community," brought together congregants, allies, and members of the LGBTQ+ community for an afternoon of worship, reflection, and fellowship.

The event was a cornerstone of the Annapolis Pride weekend, carrying particular significance as the Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival, also scheduled for that weekend, were postponed due to inclement weather. The worship service proceeded as planned, offering a vital space for celebration and community.

The service was a collaborative effort of the Anne Arundel Affirming Alliance (A4), a coalition of religious communities in the county that are affirming of LGBTQ+ people. The Alliance aims to foster an intentional and faithful community for mutual support and to highlight safe and brave spaces for worship.

The service at Eastport United Methodist Church was led by a diverse group of clergy from A4 member churches. Pastor Chris Broadwell of Eastport United Methodist welcomed the congregation, dignitaries and the Annapolis Pride Board of Directors. A significant word of thanks was given to the Board for their work: A Heartfelt Thank You to the Annapolis Pride Board

On behalf of all of us gathered for this year's Ecumenical Pride Worship Service, I want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to the dedicated members of the Annapolis Pride Board.

We want to specifically acknowledge the immense effort, the countless hours, and the emotional energy—the very sweat and tears—that you poured into planning this year’s Pride Parade and Festival. We recognize the profound disappointment and the weight of responsibility you carried in making the difficult, but wise, decision to postpone the events due to the impending weather. Thank you for navigating those difficult conversations and for prioritizing the safety and well-being of our entire community. Your leadership in that moment did not go unnoticed.

But our gratitude extends far beyond this single weekend. We thank you for your tireless advocacy on all the other days of the year. You are the ones who keep us informed, reminding us of critical legislation that impacts the rights and dignity of our LGBTQ+ family. You consistently keep the needs of the community at the forefront, showing us tangible ways we can be faithful to our primary and most sacred call: to love one another.

In a world that can often feel so very against us, you consistently and courageously point us in the direction of love. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, for your leadership, and for helping to build a more just and loving Annapolis for all.

The rest of the service was led by Rev. Dr. Mihee Kim-Kort of First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis. "We gather in the presence of God to encounter Love that sets free," Rev. Dr. Kim-Kort proclaimed. "We do not come seeking crumbs of justice but a way of life that liberates."

The service was rich with music, prayer, and reflection. Hymns such as "Sing a New World Into Being" and "God of Many Faces" filled the sanctuary. The scripture readings, from Matthew 13:31-32 and Acts 2:43-47, were delivered by Rev. Jen Karsner of Asbury United Methodist in Arnold, who also led the Affirmation of Faith. Reflections were offered by Laura Brown and Renée Kilroy, providing personal perspectives on the intersection of their faith and LGBTQ+ identity. A special children's message was led by Smith Broadwell, a mental health therapist and divinity school graduate who works with LGBTQ youth and adults.

A central part of the service was the "Love Feast," led by Rev. Dr. Kim-Kort, during which attendees were invited to partake in a communal meal. An offering was collected to support the ongoing work of the Anne Arundel Affirming Alliance.

The Anne Arundel Affirming Alliance is comprised of fourteen member churches from various denominations, including Presbyterian, United Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Unitarian, United Church of Christ, and Unity. These communities have committed to being not just welcoming, but "inclusive, encouraging, validating, and stand[ing] in solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals and communities." More information can be found at https://www.annearundelaffirms.com/

The Ecumenical Worship Service stood as a testament to the growing network of affirming churches in Anne Arundel County and their collective commitment to fostering a community where all are celebrated and embraced.