LGBTQ+ Outreach Team

  • Our Mission is to foster an environment of welcoming and inclusivity within St. John UMC and to create a safe space for all people to come together as one in the all-inclusive love of Jesus Christ. We strive to provide outreach and support to the LGBTQ+ community of Anchorage, with our gifts, service, prayers, witness, and presence, so that they know they are loved and truly welcome at St. John UMC.

  • Regular meetings – Planning/Events – 3rd Tues. of each month (All are invited to attend and find out more information about our group.)

    Regular events (TBD)

  • Resources for frequently asked questions

  • If you are in a crisis the following resources can provide you with immediate help:

    For Life Threatening Emergency: 911 – For non-emergency and mental health: ask for the Crisis Intervention team

    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. We can all help prevent suicide. provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call or text 988

    The Trevor Project: 24/7 Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ Youth. Their mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.  Text ‘START’ to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 Or visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ for more resources and information.

    SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.  Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 Available 24/7/365.

    Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255. For veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their family members and friends. Press “1.” Available 24/7/365.

    NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness. Crisis Text Line - text NAMI to 741741 Available 24/7/365. Call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-6264Or text "HelpLine" to 62640

    National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-852-6262

    STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) Crisis Line - 800-478-8999 For victims of sexual assault and abuse. Available 24/7/365.

    National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-7233 For victims of domestic violence. Available 24/7/365.

    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1-800-656-4673 For victims of sexual assault and abuse. Available 24/7/365.

    National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255

    Eating Disorders ANAD Hotline: 1-888-375-7767  https://anad.org/get-help/eating-disorders-helpline/#

    National Eating Disorders Foundation https://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/get-help/

  • Queer Spirituality Book List PDF

    1.A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, Cody J. Sanders

    2.Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage Out of Hiding, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth

    3.Beyond a Binary God: A Theology for Trans* Allies, Tara K. Soughers

    4.The Black Trans Prayer Book, Ed. J Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi

    5.Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians, E. Carrington Heath

    6.Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, Dr. John Boswell

    7.Coming Out Spiritually, Christian de la Huerta

    8.Corn Bread, Fish, and Collard Greens: Prayers, Poems, and Affirmations for People Living with HIV/AIDS, Ed. Khafre Kujichagula Abif

    9.Defrocked: How a Father’s Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church, Franklyn Schaefer with Sherri Wood Emmons

    10.The Gender Identity Guide for Parents: Compassionate Advice to Help Your Child Be Their Most Authentic Self, Tavi Hawn

    11.God and the Gay Christian, Matthew Vines

    12.In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture, Shannon T.L. Kearns, Paula Stone Williams (Foreward)

    13. Love is For All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging, Ed. James Crews & Brad Peacock

    14. Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk, Second Edition: LGBTQ Pastoral Care, Bernard Schlager & David Kundtz

    15.Out of Exodus: A Journey of Open and Affirming Ministry, Dr. Darryl Stephens

    16. Peculiar Faith: Queer Theology for Christian Witness, Jay Emerson Johnson

    17. Queer Religiosities: An Introduction to Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion, Melissa M. Wilcox

    18.Queers the Word: A 40 Day Devotional for LGBTQ+ Christians, Brian G. Murphy

    19.Queering Wesley, Queering the Church, Keegan Osinski

    20.Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity (Queer Action/ Queer Ideas), Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman

    21. Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology, Patrick S. Cheng

    22.Reclaiming Church: A Call to Action for Religious Rejects, JJ Warren

    23. The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGHBTQ+ Advocate, Jeannie Gainsburg

    24.Surrendering My Ordination: Standing Up For Gay & Lesbian Inclusivity in the United Methodist Church, J. Philip Wogaman

    25.Together at the Table: Diversity without Division in the United Methodist Church, Bishop Karen P. Oliveto

    26.The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story, Christopher B. Hays & Richard B. Hays

    27.Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens, Ed. By Leigh Finke, Foreword by Jennifer Knapp

    28.Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us, Layton E. Williams, Foreword by Diana Butler Bass

Events and Meetings

Regular meetings – Planning/Events – 3rd Tues. of each month (All are invited to attend and find out more information about our group.)

FAQs

  • St. John United Methodist Church Right here in Anchorage. You can learn more about opportunities for connection https://stjohnanchorage.org/

    Queer Grace https://queergrace.com/communities/ Queer Grace is a curated encyclopedia of information and ideas around the life of LGBTQIA+ people and Christian faith. We hope to offer a safe space full of resources for all those navigating their journey in the church.

    GayChurch.Org The intent of our Affirming Church Directory™ is to provide an online directory so people can locate and visit welcoming Christian churches around the world. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/list-churches-by-state/

    Avery Arden “Blessed Are The Binary Breakers,” A Pod Cast. https://open.spotify.com/show/1OBoPbliEu19jT7IyZkCyG

  • Pronouns.org A practical resource dedicated to the empowering and inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language.

    Gender in Language Project https://www.genderinlanguage.com/ The Gender in Language Project is a free online resource meant to describe gender-inclusive forms.

    Welcoming Schools is a professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to: Embrace All Families, Create LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Schools, Prevent Bias-Based Bullying Support Transgender and Non-Binary Students. Defining Terms https://welcomingschools.org/resources/definitions-lgbtq-elementary-school

  • HRC Foundation The Human Rights  https://www.hrc.org/resources/parenting

    LGBTQ+ Primary Hub  Picture Books and Chapter books to share with your youth. https://www.lgbtqprimaryhub.com/picture-books

    WelcomingSchools.org offers many hand-outs, links, articles, and resources.

    PFLAG - https://pflag.org/ Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

    Rainbow Families https://rainbowfamilies.org/ Since the 1970s, Rainbow Families has offered education, resources, and support services for LGBTQ+ parents, families, and parents-to-be.

  • HRC Foundation The Human Rights Campaign’s goal is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world. https://www.hrc.org/resources 

    Transitioning in the workplace: https://www.hrc.org/resources/transitioning-in-the-workplace-a-guide-for-trans-employees , https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/trans-toolkit-for-employers

  • Identity Alaska https://www.identityalaska.org/ - * Identity Alaska is an organization devoted to supporting a variety of needs for those in the LGBTQ+ through its community center and medical clinic. The community center includes parent support groups, peer support groups, and advocacy. For questions about community events and groups, email identitycomms@identityinc.org. The Health Center includes affirming health care and mental health counseling. For information about clinic services, email frontdesk@identityinc.org

    Choosing Our Roots https://choosingourroots.org/  COR is a queer-led and queer-focused nonprofit providing housing support and case management to queer, Alaskan youth and young adults experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.

    The Pride Foundation https://pridefoundation.org/region/alaska/ Pride Foundation fuels transformational movements to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ people in all communities across the Northwest.

    AWAIC  https://awaic.org/support-awaic/donations/  , Domestic Abuse Center, supportive of LGBTQ+

    Covenant House Alaska  https://covenanthouseak.org/ Helpline - 907-272-1255 For homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth.

    The Queens Guard https://www.facebook.com/QueensGuardOfAlaska,  Provides Queer community support groups, advocacy, and engaging events.

    Alaska211 https://alaska211.org/  Essential local and community services.

    AKEDA https://www.akeatingdisordersalliance.org/ The mission of the Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance is to provide help and inspire hope by engaging our diverse communities in education, advocacy, and support for Alaskans affected by eating disorders.

  • The Trevor Project is a national non-profit providing crisis support, education resources, allyship, and advocacy. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

    LGBT National Help Center https://lgbthotline.org/ the oldest and most comprehensive national organization of its type provides vital peer support, community connections, and resource information through helplines and online chatrooms.

    It Gets Better Project: A nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. https://itgetsbetter.org/

    Many of the resources listed on this list are non-profits and community led. You can consider offering your time, talents, or resources as you are able.

  • 1.A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, Cody J. Sanders

    2.Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage Out of Hiding, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth

    3.Beyond a Binary God: A Theology for Trans* Allies, Tara K. Soughers

    4.The Black Trans Prayer Book, Ed. J Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi

    5.Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians, E. Carrington Heath

    6.Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, Dr. John Boswell

    7.Coming Out Spiritually, Christian de la Huerta

    8.Corn Bread, Fish, and Collard Greens: Prayers, Poems, and Affirmations for People Living with HIV/AIDS, Ed. Khafre Kujichagula Abif

    9.Defrocked: How a Father’s Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church, Franklyn Schaefer with Sherri Wood Emmons

    10.The Gender Identity Guide for Parents: Compassionate Advice to Help Your Child Be Their Most Authentic Self, Tavi Hawn

    11.God and the Gay Christian, Matthew Vines

    12.In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture, Shannon T.L. Kearns, Paula Stone Williams (Foreward)

    13. Love is For All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging, Ed. James Crews & Brad Peacock

    14. Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk, Second Edition: LGBTQ Pastoral Care, Bernard Schlager & David Kundtz

    15.Out of Exodus: A Journey of Open and Affirming Ministry, Dr. Darryl Stephens

    16. Peculiar Faith: Queer Theology for Christian Witness, Jay Emerson Johnson

    17. Queer Religiosities: An Introduction to Queer and Transgender Studies in Religion, Melissa M. Wilcox

    18.Queers the Word: A 40 Day Devotional for LGBTQ+ Christians, Brian G. Murphy

    19.Queering Wesley, Queering the Church, Keegan Osinski

    20.Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity (Queer Action/ Queer Ideas), Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman

    21. Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology, Patrick S. Cheng

    22.Reclaiming Church: A Call to Action for Religious Rejects, JJ Warren

    23. The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGHBTQ+ Advocate, Jeannie Gainsburg

    24.Surrendering My Ordination: Standing Up For Gay & Lesbian Inclusivity in the United Methodist Church, J. Philip Wogaman

    25.Together at the Table: Diversity without Division in the United Methodist Church, Bishop Karen P. Oliveto

    26.The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story, Christopher B. Hays & Richard B. Hays

    27.Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens, Ed. By Leigh Finke, Foreword by Jennifer Knapp

    28.Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us, Layton E. Williams, Foreword by Diana Butler Bass