Freddy Martin (center) is Glide’s Congregational Life & Community Engagement Manager
In July with all the planning meetings, events, outreach, and presentations it was quite a month. One of the experiences stood out to me regarding Pam Ward, our Keeping it Real facilitator and congregational life leader along with her husband William; despite extreme health challenges showed their dedication to leading the “everybody’s in recovery from something” charge and continuing to provide a safe space for congregants and community to gather every Sunday at 1pm on zoom and bonding over life’s challenges and triumphs. Pam, having to deal with multiple surgeries and rehabilitation efforts was faithfully intentional about serving Glide Memorial Church as a fearless leader to help bring comfort, support, comradery, and sacred spiritual space to help others deal with the challenges and move forward with living their best lives.It never ceases to amaze me how resilient our congregational life is and how dedicated people are to upholding their volunteered time and commitment to this life changing, social justice, and racial connectedness covering an array of cultures, beliefs, practices, and backgrounds. She has developed a tight knit group by using her life, her experiences, and her complete self to exemplify what it means to do good in community while dealing with struggles and challenges, the sign of a true leader.She and her husband greatly appreciated the prayers, well wishes, cards, and support that poured out of the Glide family and attributes her successful surgeries to all of our prayers and support. I have not seen such an outpouring of love and healing wishes in a long time and it was amazing to witness and experience.
Another example of great commitment to community was the Back To School Celebration of our young scholars to support families and youth in need of much needed supplies for the anticipated school year. The dedication of Steve Hyzer and Tyree Leslie to meeting, outreaching, and creating yet another year of providing academic tools that will help the young people achieve educational excellence for many years to come, but providing it now in real time makes all the difference in the world to a young mind and a young heart in letting them know that their community loves them, supports them, and is there for them to help them achieve their goals, fulfill their dreams, and excel in life and education. It is also a great effort to support families who are dealing with extreme inflation and may not be able to provide their children with these supplies and still pay the rent.My hat goes off to the Gay/Bi Men’s Group leaders who make this happen year after year. It was the most successful event thus far and it garnered the support of other community leaders and organizations that want to help and collaborate with us in the future to reach even more students with more supplies for even more success now and well into the future; We are the Village that raises great scholars for our future!
One last important note with so much more to follow: The SF Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve the SF Reparations Plan!!! We won!! Thanks to all the faithful souls that supported us in solidarity; The Racial Justice Group is on the map for being great champions, organizers, and leaders in the racial justice work that we do here at Glide Memorial Church.
Freddy MartinCongregational Life-Community Engagement Manager
If you have questions about Congregational Life Groups and Events, you can reach out to Freddy Martin (415-674-6168 or fmartin@glide.org) our Congregational Life & Community Engagement Manager.