Welcome to the official site for The Right Reverend Matthew Davis Cowden, Bishop of West Virginia. Here you’ll find out a little more about me. Some personal, biographical, some of my favorite links, hobbies, and my trivial pursuits. I’ve had this page since the 1990’s and it’s gone through various iterations. In the early days of nascent website culture, it seemed like everyone was going to have a personal site in the future, as in the way we each have our own pocket cell phones with a personal number as well as a Facebook page or direct way of sharing our lives with some version of the public. A personal site like this one of my own name is as much a hub for contact, further information about me, reading some my materials that usually end up further down a news feed on social media, and pictures. Welcome to my little bit of real estate on the internet. +mdc
"From the outside, the Church often doesn’t look very lively. Even for those who are in parishes that are thriving, we can be misled into uncritically thinking that outward activity automatically implies inward growth.But the Resurrection narratives give us another way to look at the Body of Christ. Even when it is defeated and lifeless, the Spirit of God is at work."The Rev. Geoff Mackey, rector of Trinity, Parkersburg, authored this essay published in The Living Church this week. … See MoreSee Less
In this anxious and war-torn world, are you wondering how to find peace? If you are a young adult (age 18-35, not currently in high school), then this event is for you. This event will have hiking, crafts, new friends, daily prayer, and feature Austin Suggs of the YouTube channel, Gospel Simplicity. Click on the original event for info on how to register. … See MoreSee Less
On Saturday, we commended the Rev. Jim Lewis to Almighty God. Jim spent his life fighting injustice wherever he saw it, in the Church and in the world. Women's ordination was one of the causes he championed, and we were blessed to have the Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward, Jim's friend of 60 years and one of the Philadelphia 11, the first eleven women priests in The Episcopal Church, serve as the preacher for the service. After the service, we were able to snap a picture of the women clergy at the service (only a fraction of the total women clergy in the Diocese of West Virginia) with the Rev. Dr. Heyward, and share remembrances of Jim and gratitude for the pioneers who helped make women's ordination a reality in The Episcopal Church. … See MoreSee Less
Yesterday evening, Bishop Cowden instituted the Rev. Clayton Harrington as rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Charleston WVon WV in a joyful worship service, which was followed by wonderful fellowship. Thank you to the congregation at St. Matt's for the abundant hospitality, to the Rev. Katie Bradshaw who preached, and to clergy and other members of the Diocese who joined in this celebration of mutual ministry. … See MoreSee Less
