Firstly, we have an increasing number of recurring volunteers who support our Freedom Hall Church on Sundays. They are amazingly helping out by being there early for set up, service, and greeting everyone who comes into Freedom Hall. They have gotten the routine down, are supporting each other, and sharing more ideas of things they would like to see and do in Freedom Hall, and at Glide Memorial Church. Their participation has increased regarding Glide events and 3 of them are really interested in co-facilitating our Keeping It Real group as we go back to providing that space for our community in person while keeping the zoom meeting and going full on hybrid!! It’s amazing, because we prayed for it, did the outreach work needed, and God is providing what we need to make it all happen. This is particularly exciting because it will be one of the first groups that met exclusively online and is going back to in person as well. I have been surprised and overwhelmed about the fervor in which the new volunteers have been participating in the services; cant wait to see what unfolds in the future. On another note, one of our amazing Church volunteers, Tony, recently got hired onto GLIDE’s Facilities team as a full time temporary janitor, with aims to become a full time permanent employee, and is so dedicated to being of service that he is still doing his Sunday volunteer in Freedom Hall on early Sunday mornings. That’s how much he loves people at Glide Memorial Church!
Secondly, there has been a great interest and need for our congregation to have our Congregational Life group meetings resume back in person. The prayer and fellowship table may be adding a Buddhist Priest to the team that serves the people in the community with prayer and fellowship every Tuesday right in front of our Church building from 11am – 2pm, with a possible extension on hours. We are also bringing prayer into the Freedom Hall Church on Sundays to provide prayers for people who ask for it on the spot and whom we may be lead to pray with. This expansion will serve our population well and provide an extra layer of spiritual connection for those who want and need it. As we amp up our in person services, we have had two very successful New Communion 1st Sundays starting in October and have used Minister Marvin’s brilliant words and updating of the purpose and reason for doing this; not to continue the crucifixion every Sunday, but to understand how we all have been broken or are breaking, but in that brokenness we share a collective healing and understanding of what it means to be open, vulnerable, sacrifice, but at the same time being healed and together in this journey. Knowing that we are not alone in our pain, suffering, triumphs, and victories. The sacrifice is not for naught, but for building up and being our best selves wherever we are at in God, in spirit, and in unconditional love. Everything that we are doing at Glide Memorial Church is in service of our communities that we are here for.
To learn more about these events or to get more involved, contact Freddy Martin, our Congregational Life and Community Engagement Management to learn more: fmartin@glide.org