The Rainbow Group Welcomes You!

Stan Ward, St. Anne’s Episcopal Rainbow Group, marches in the Annapolis PRIDE Parade.

The Rainbow Group has made me feel welcome at St. Anne's from the beginning. As a young man I left the Catholic Church in part because of its teaching on LGBTQ+ individuals. When I was looking for a new church several years ago, it was very important to me that it be welcoming. When I checked out St. Anne's online, I saw that there was a Rainbow Group for LGBTQ+ people and their allies. Some of the first people I connected with at St. Anne's were members of the Rainbow Group and their warm welcome helped make me feel that I belonged here.

The highlight of each year for the Rainbow Group is participating in Annapolis Pride. St. Anne's is a sponsor of Pride and always has a large group of marchers in the Pride parade, including clergy. Walking down the streets of Annapolis with rainbow flags and banners and balloons and feeling the energy and joy of the crowd is a great experience.

Last year, St. Anne's supported Suzanne Weber and I to attend New York Pride. Marching down Fifth Avenue with the Episcopal Diocese of New York was a real thrill that I won't forget. 

Unfortunately, many LGBTQ+ Christians are estranged from their faith because of negative experiences in other churches. I am grateful that St. Anne's and the Rainbow Group are committed to affirming LGBTQ+ Christians so that we can be both fully ourselves and fully part of a Christian community. 

Stan Ward, The Episcopal Rainbow Group