Arts and Liturgy Ministry
At Glide Memorial Church, art is resistance, revelation, and a path to liberation. Our Arts & Liturgies Ministry is rooted in the belief that everyone has a sacred story, and that coming into voice is essential to self-defined freedom.
We create sanctuary and a safe space for transparent, vulnerable, and honest storytelling — welcoming diverse faith traditions, including those who identify as non-believers, and those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. We accept that God can be named or left unnamed, and we believe that everybody is an instrument of God’s love and grace.
What We Do
Every Sunday is a celebration of art as a tool of resistance. Every Celebration includes a writing prompt and the opportunity to receive free journals and pens, to aid you in connecting with your own divine creativity. We call this Writer’s Church!
In addition to our world-class music ministry, we are home to a Poet-Theologian in Residence who inspires the congregation with sacred words, leads monthly Workship (workshop + worship) sessions, and curates poetry readings and visual arts exhibits that honor the legacy of our co-founder Janice Mirikitani.
More About the Janice Mirikitani Poet-Theologian in Residence
This unique residency invites a poet and theologian to engage with our vibrant community through creative expression, spiritual exploration, and mutual growth. The Poet-Theologian in Residence works closely with the Minister of Celebration and the Arts and Liturgy Coordinator, and takes on a wide range of responsibilities across the fellowship year, including:
- Facilitating monthly post-Celebration Workship sessions focused on poetry, creative writing, and artistic worship
- Delivering quarterly Poet-Theologian Readings during Sunday Celebrations at 9 am and 11 am
- Coordinating and curating poetry readings onsite, online, or offsite, and publishing creative works that honor the spirit and legacy of Janice Mirikitani
- Leading storytelling and poetry programming at the Janice Mirikitani Family Youth Community Center
- Curating a Poetry-Visual Arts-Graphic exhibit in the Glide Creative Space, showcasing writing generated during Workships
- Fostering relationships with congregation members, community literary artists, and poets throughout the fellowship year
Events and Programming
Our ministry comes to life through signature events that bring together artists and community members from across the Bay Area. One example is the Roots and Resonance Musician’s Workshop — funded by the Haas Foundation — that gathered church musicians from across the region for a day of teaching, fellowship, and artistic exchange. Another example is the Tender Poets Festival, a hybrid poetry festival celebrating belonging and connection through workshops, showcases, open mics, and TheoPoetics in the Pulpit during Sunday Celebration.
Get in Touch
To get involved in our Arts & Liturgy Ministry, contact Arts and Liturgy Coordinator Ramona Laughing Brook Webb at rwebb@glide.org, or monitor our calendar for upcoming events.