A superfecta of 2023 end-of-year holiday events saw GLIDE’s presence illuminate across the City, including participation in lighting ceremonies at Golden Gate Park, Boeddeker Park, in the Castro and at Chase Stadium.
GLIDE’s Minister of Celebration Marvin K. White speaks about the Kinara, or candle holder (in Swahili) that honors African American culture in Golden Gate Park.
Golden Gate Park Candle Lighting
Fighting systemic injustices also means celebrating our hard-fought victories. GLIDE does this in many ways but our glow also radiates towards the end of the year when we join hands with our brothers and sisters in lighting candles, singing songs of merriment, and spreading holiday joy throughout San Francisco.
Celebrating 350 years since John McLaren planted the Cyprus tree at the entrance to Golden Gate Park, city officials gathered on December 7th to light Hanukkah candles, the Kinara and the Christmas Tree.
Mayor London Breed, CA Senator Scott Weiner and Minister Marvin K White were some of the individuals who spoke at the event. You can watch Minister Marvin’s speech about Kwanza by watching the video above. The event was covered by KRON4.
Mayor London Breed, Senator Scott Weiner, State Assemblymember Matt Haney and SF Supervisor Dean Preston help light the tree in Boedekker Park.
Tenderloin Candle Lighting at Boeddeker Park
On Friday, December 15th, the Tenderloin community celebrated the holidays with a tree lighting celebration in Boeddeker Park. Erik Arguello, of the Center for Social Justice helped to plan the event with community partners. Two groups of GLIDE’s ever popular dance group, Glidettes performed, singing festive songs.
The event included activities for kids, a visit from Santa and Miss Claus, words from city officials and performances by Tenderloin community groups. The event was covered by KTVU.
Glidettes performing at Boeddeker Park. Erik Arguello, Joanne Adams and Assessor Joaquin Torres were in attendance.
The Glide Pride Team goes caroling through the Castro.
Lighting up the Castro with Ring-a-Ding-Ding!
On Saturday, December 16th the Glide Pride team went caroling through the Castro. Singing Christmas carols with the justice-centered lyrics crafted by Janice Mirikitani and the Rev. Cecil Williams, the congregational life group spread joy and invited all passing by to join us at Glide Memorial Church for our Christmas Eve (9 and 11 am) and Christmas Day Celebrations (10 am).
Glide Ensemble performing at Joy to the City at Chase Center.
Light and Gospel at the Chase Center
On Sunday, December 17th the Glide Ensemble performed at the Joy to the City Event co-hosted by Code Tenderloin and Assemblymember Matt Haney. The event provided 3,000 children with Christmas toys, books, lunch and groceries.
The gospel-filled singing of the Glide Ensemble helped to lift the spirits of all who gathered and helped Tenderloin and South of Market families learn more about the unconditional love and radical welcome at Glide. You can listen to The Glide Ensemble’s performance by watching the videos below.