Photo: GLIDE clergy and leadership including founders Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikatani rally on the steps of City Hall with late Mayor Ed Lee to show support for immigrants amongst threats to sanctuary cities from Trump administration.
GLIDE recently announced news that the United Methodist Church would be pulling the congregation’s pastors starting July 1, with no clear plans to replace them. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, GLIDE’s “emphasis on social services and not enough on church” is at the root of the problem and leads to a deeper concern about a “possible a split with the national United Methodist Church altogether.”
On Thursday, June 21, GLIDE’s leadership, friends, and supporters held a Unity Rally at City Hall. The event included a performance by Michael Franti and an outpouring of support for the iconic institution at Ellis and Taylor, known for its services in the Tenderloin and advocacy throughout San Francisco and beyond.
As explained by Karen Hanrahan, GLIDE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, “Like many of you, we were shocked and dismayed by this news. While the wonderful work of our church is just one facet of what we do here at GLIDE, both our church and foundation are interconnected and interdependent, and the spiritual work guides our service work in feeding the hungry, healing the sick, helping families, and so much more. Given this interdependence, the mission of GLIDE is put at risk by removing our clergy … We cannot stand by and allow our broadly diverse community and the work of over 50 years on behalf of the most marginalized individuals and families to be undone in this way. So we’re standing up.”
As they do every year, GLIDE will have a strong contingent during this weekend’s PRIDE celebration and parade. They are calling on the community to #RallyforGLIDE.
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