What does this mean for GLIDE Memorial Church?
• We couldn’t be more excited about the future and evolution of GLIDE Memorial Church. The agreement between GLIDE and the California Nevada Annual Conference of United Methodist Church (CNAC) has received final court approval.
• Unaffiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC), our spiritual community remains healthy, rooted in liberation and will continue to build upon a faith tradition that welcomes all. For members of the congregation, this means realizing the opportunity to continue to shape the church as the radically inclusive, loving, inspired community that it is and always has been.
• Under the leadership of Minister of Celebration Marvin K. White and the Lay Leadership, a Church Futures Working Group is moving forward in a comprehensive effort to establish a formal charter, statement of faith and practice, and governance for the Church. At the heart of their work is an inclusive process that includes listening to and working with the congregation. The result will be a shareable vision and operational plan that will shepherd the future direction of Glide Memorial Church.
• The court’s ratification ensures that GLIDE Memorial Church will continue to operate in its current location. The GLIDE Foundation retains title to our facility at 330 Ellis Street and our expansive, transformative programs will continue without interruption and our iconic building will be used, as it has been for decades, to benefit all San Franciscans.
• In the months to come, GLIDE will update its non-profit legal status to become a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation. We will continue to meet the rapidly escalating need in San Francisco while more clearly delineating the social service and advocacy work of the GLIDE Foundation from the spiritual work of GLIDE Memorial Church. Both entities will remain social justice organizations at their core and will continue to be guided by GLIDE’s values of radical inclusion and unconditional love.
Why did this happen?
• While the specific details of this agreement have been two years in the making, the relationship between GLIDE and CNAC has been evolving for some time. Our relationship with UMC was established by Lizzie with a charitable trust nearly 100 years ago, and it worked well for many decades. However, as the years went on, San Francisco changed and so too did the relationship between GLIDE and CNAC, along with our respective understanding of our roles concerning how best to bring Lizzie Glide’s wishes to life. GLIDE and CNAC entered into discussions in 2018 to determine a new path forward. The mutually beneficial agreement we reached embodies our efforts to realize the goals of the Trust in the 21st century and beyond.
• Although it will bring an end to many decades of a unique partnership, this resolution ensures we can fully and freely pursue our mission of transforming lives with a radically inclusive, transparent and rigorous organization that is open and welcoming to all.
What are the terms of the agreement?
• First, and perhaps most importantly, GLIDE will move forward free and independent, with no financial, legal or spiritual ties or constraints.
• Second, GLIDE will remain GLIDE — we retain our name and legal entity; our programs, services and advocacy will continue uninterrupted; and we will maintain Glide Memorial Church and its spiritual community, welcome to all and unaffiliated with the United Methodist Church.
• In addition, GLIDE will retain title to the facility at 330 Ellis Street and use this building, as we have done for decades, to benefit all San Franciscans. And, GLIDE’s financial assets remain strong, including all of the funds raised for our programs and all funds raised since the arrival of Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani many decades ago at GLIDE.
• Above all, we will continue GLIDE’s evolution, together and unimpeded — grounded in our values, our mission and our vision of racial equality, self-determination, dignity, justice and respect for all people.
In return, CNAC also benefits:
• GLIDE will transfer our trustee responsibility to CNAC for a trust and a restricted fund that were established nearly 100 years ago in large part to advance Methodist teachings. Due to GLIDE’s strong financial management, these accounts now contain a combined $4.5 million in investments that grew out of Lizzie Glide’s original contributions. CNAC will act as trustee over these funds and use them for their restricted purposes of advancing the Christian Protestant religion.
• In recognition of the long-term and unique relationship between GLIDE and UMC, GLIDE will also provide $1.5 million to CNAC, drawing from a separate account for investment returns. No donor funds given to GLIDE will be used for any purposes under this agreement.
• In addition, CNAC, if it chooses to do so, may incorporate a church in San Francisco under the name “J.H. Glide Memorial United Methodist Church” to advance UMC teachings.
Does GLIDE Memorial Church have a pastor?
• As the full-time Minister of Celebration at GLIDE Memorial Church, Marvin K. White leads the Sunday Celebrations, which are offered at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Since the beginning of COVID-19, we have offered Celebrations on Facebook Live.
What is the plan for hiring future pastors?
• GLIDE’s Church Futures Working Group will lead an inclusive process for the future direction of Glide Memorial Church. Building on the progress made over the past two years under the leadership of Minister Marvin K. White and the Lay Leadership, the Church Futures Working Group will establish the church’s formal charter, statement of faith and practice as well as its staffing and structure.
When will the Sanctuary reopen?
• From the beginning of the pandemic, GLIDE has placed a top priority on the safety of our community and our staff. We will reopen the Sanctuary when it is safe to do so, and our plans will be made in accordance with both the State and San Francisco health guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health. In the meantime, we have stepped up to meet this challenging time for our church community by increasing our capacities to bring people together through online platforms. We hope our community will take part in the online service offerings we are providing for connection and inspiration.
What’s the plan for future Sunday Celebrations?
• GLIDE Memorial Church’s Sunday Celebrations are going strong. There are two Celebrations every Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., led by Minister of Celebration Marvin K. White. During COVID, we have expanded our Celebrations on Facebook Live and YouTube to bring together congregants and spiritual leaders from across the Bay Area and around the country. Our congregation and community have shown incredible commitment and resilience during this period of uncertainty. Sunday Celebrations continue as a weekly invitation to all people to be a part of a joyful and inspiring exercise in spiritual uplift, connection across the usual lines of division, and the realization of beloved community. When we are clear to resume our in-person Sunday Celebrations, they will include the renowned GLIDE Ensemble and The Change Band, inspirational spiritual leaders, GLIDE’s lay leadership, and other stirring voices from our community—all as part of our intention to maintain the spirit, love, and inclusivity of GLIDE.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
• For more information or if congregation members have questions, please contact the Church at church@glide.org.
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