Happy Pride Month // M-Note 6.14.25

Hi Gathering Family,

June is Pride Month— a time to honor the struggle for equality in the LGBTQ+ community. It can be a time of celebration for some and pain for others. For us as a church, it’s a meaningful opportunity to say something clearly and publicly: you are welcome here.
One of the things I love most about Jesus is how consistently he made space for people who had been pushed to the margins—people who had been told (by others or by their own inner doubts) that they didn’t belong in the Kingdom of God. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus made a point to welcome, include, and love those who thought they were outside the reach of God.

That kind of radical welcome is still at the heart of who we are at The Gathering.
At the end of this month, St. Louis PrideFest gives us a chance to show up and extend that welcome in a real and tangible way. I’d love for you to sign up to serve a short shift at The Gathering’s booth at STL Pride. It’s easy, meaningful, and honestly, it just feels good to be part of letting others know that they are loved by God.

Whether you’ve served before or never at all—this is a powerful way to live out your faith, meet some great people, and help someone know that there is a church for them. (Sign up here)

Thanks for being part of a church that shows up with love.

Peace,
Matt

P.S. February 3-13th I am leading a trip to Egypt for folks from our church (and beyond). We will be retracing the steps of Moses as we see the pyramids, float the Nile and make it to the top of Mt. Sinai. Registrations are rolling in and if you register before Sunday, June 15th, you get $150 off the trip. You can find out more details and register here. If you have any questions or want to receive more emails about the trip please reach out to me. You can also reach out directly to Educational Opportunities, the company that is partnering with us and leading the trip. It is going to be an incredible time and I hope you will join me.