Congregational Life Groups at Glide Memorial Church
Congregational Life Groups
Glide Memorial Church Congregational Life Groups empower individuals and communities to share ideas and turn the Church’s message of love into positive action in the world. Congregational Life Groups are open to all!
All groups meet at 330 Ellis Street in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District unless otherwise noted below. If you need help or support finding the right group for you, please contact Freddy Martin at fmartin@glide.org.
If you know what group you would like to join, show up at the time and place indicated or contact the group leader with questions.
Spiritual Practice Groups
Bible Study
- Time: Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm
- Location: Maya Angelou room 201 & on this Zoom link
- Leader(s): Zae Illo
Bible Study at Glide is a weekly invitation to wrestle with the sacred text and to read ourselves into it. Led by Zae Illo, this group explores scripture through a liberation and justice lens—asking big questions, reading between the lines, and reclaiming the stories we were told didn’t include us.
The Fellowship Table & Outreach Ministry
- Time: Tuesdays 11am-2pm
- Location: Sidewalk outside of 330 Ellis Street
- Leader(s): Zae Illo & Linda Mantel
The Fellowship Table is a sidewalk ministry of presence, prayer, and connection, which provides a space of prayer and listening for our unhoused neighbors and anyone else who might need a supportive hand. All are welcome to serve and be served!
Sunday Celebration Prayer and Witness
- Time: 9am and 11am on Sundays
- Location: Sanctuary
- Leader(s): Minister Marvin K. White mwhite@glide.org and Freddy Martin fmartin@glide.org
This team holds the sacred role of offering prayer and testimony during Sunday Celebrations. Whether by calling down the Spirit in spoken word or lifting up the names of those in need, the Prayer and Witness team reminds us that worship is participatory, prophetic, and personal. Training is provided to strengthen your confidence in sharing your voice!
Communion
- Time: Every 1st Sunday around 12:30pm (after 11am service)
- Location: Freedom Hall
- Leader(s): Minister Marvin K. White mwhite@glide.org and Freddy Martin fmartin@glide.org
Communion at Glide is the practice of radical remembrance. Led by Marvin and Freddy, this group prepares and distributes the elements of Communion during Sunday Celebration and special services. We break bread and pour love for all.
Freedom Hall Sundays
- Time: 8:30am-1pm
- Location: Freedom Hall
- Leader(s): Freddy Martin fmartin@glide.org and the Spiritual Care Navigation Team
Freedom Hall Sunday is where ministry meets meals. Sunday Celebration’s service plays on the screen while people casually eat their free breakfast or receive spiritual care. It is a way to offer church to those who prefer a more relaxed environment than the pews. It offers a space for gathering, sharing stories, receiving prayer, and serving one another.
Meditation
- Time: Mondays 6pm-7pm
- Location: On this Zoom link
- Leader(s): Mira Ingram & Benn Meyers
Zenkei Sangha is a collection of individuals forming a Sangha, which is a group of people who meet together, like a congregation but smaller, with the intention of learning about dharma—the teaching of the Buddha—while living it out in ways that improve the lives of the unhoused, those struggling with addiction, and others marginalized by society. We specialize in Harm Reduction meditation. We also support hospice care and lead memorials for residents of Single Room Occupancies (SROs). Learn more here about our spiritual philosophy and pratice.
Prayer Circle
- Time: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
- Location: Maya Angelou Room 201 & on this Zoom link
- Leader(s): Rick Ross
The Prayer Circle is a sacred space to lift up prayers of the people—spoken and unspoken, named and unnamed. Led by Rick Ross, this group meets to pray with, for, and as the community. Whether you’re holding grief, gratitude, or something you can’t name, come be surrounded by the healing witness of collective prayer. Please submit a prayer request so we can support you in love, in grief, in hope.
Music Ministry: The Glide Ensemble & The Change Band
- Time: Wednesdays 6pm-8pm
- Location: Sanctuary
- Leader(s): Zoë Ellis zellis@glide.org
The Glide Ensemble is not just a choir—it is a movement of music and ministry. Under the direction of Zoe Ellis, the Ensemble uplifts the message of love, justice, and radical welcome every Sunday. Rehearsals are both spiritual and musical, and new voices are always welcome to make a joyful, soulful, revolutionary noise. If you are interested in becoming part of our music ministry, check out more details here on this page.
Community Service Groups
Ushers (Sunday Church Ambassadors)
- Time: 2nd Sunday 12:30-2:30pm for team meeting; 9am and 11am Sunday service shifts as assigned (flexible), sometimes special events
- Location: Maya Angelou Room 201 for team meeting, Sanctuary and Freedom Hall for service
- Leader(s): Freddy Martin, fmartin@glide.org
Ushers at Glide Memorial Church act as ambassadors of Glide’s love and unconditional acceptance at Sunday Celebrations! They help people find seats, give them tissues when they cry, hand out fans when the heat is oppressive, and make sure everyone feels a sense of belonging
Back to School Team
- Time: Seasonal (August only)
- Location: TBD
- Leader(s): Steve Hyzer
The Back to School Team supports children and families in our community with back-to-school supplies, uniforms, haircuts, and love. We believe in setting our kids up for success by making sure they are equipped and uplifted as they head into a new academic year. This group is responsible for Glide Memorial Church’s famous annual Backpack Giveaway, where students are given free backpacks stuffed with the supplies they need to thrive.
Spiritual Community Care Network
- Time: 9am -5pm
- Location: Church Office on 2nd Floor (and throughout the neighborhood)
- Leader(s): Freddy Martin fmartin@glide.org
Spiritual care navigators who work for Glide Memorial Church are available to provide community memberswith spiritual care, grief support, and crisis response rooted in love, harm reduction, and justice. Receive spiritual care or volunteer with our trained professionals and learn the skills involved in being a “spiritual first responder.” Presence, listening, and compassionate action can be transformation in someone’s life.
The Glide Memorial Church Board
Our Board (opens in a new tab) helps with leadership, financial oversite and the governing policies of the congregation. If you are interested in serving on the church board one day, contact mwhite@glide.org.
Justice and Affinity Groups
The Glide PRIDE Team
- Time: Every 1st Sunday from 12:30-2pm
- Location:
- Leader(s): Austin Stack, Michelle Arce, and others TBD
Glide PRIDE Team’s mission is to educate the world on social justice, unconditional love and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. We take pride in leading Glide’s efforts in promoting equal justice for LGBTQ-related causes, supporting community organizations in the greater San Francisco area and other Glide community groups. You can get Glide Pride gear at our online drop-ship store: http://bit.ly/GlideChurchDropShip and check out our online exhibit, “Glide Pride: Celebrating 60 Years of LGBTQIA+ Leadership, 1963-2023,” at http://bit.ly/GlidePrideExhibit
Glide Reads
- Time: Once a month, Sundays 1pm-3pm
- Location: Reach out to fmartin@glide.org for Zoom link
- Leader(s): Mary Glide and Jeannine Kay
Glide Reads is a group dedicated to reading and discussing books that engage with race, class, gender, sexuality, faith, and justice. Through literature, we deepen our collective analysis and capacity to love and liberate. Glide Reads also offers opportunities to meet authors, host readings, and connect literature with action.
Racial Justice Group
- Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 5pm-6pm
- Location: On this Zoom link
- Leader(s): Paula Farmer and Freddy Martin
Glide’s Racial Justice Group educates and seeks liberation for the oppressed and marginalized, with emphasis on BIPOC, in order to realize the beloved community we are called to be. View our Reparations Living Exhibit to learn more about our ongoing work on this issue. This group engages in organizing, education, healing circles, and community conversations rooted in truth-telling, repair, and transformation.
White Anti-Racist Group (WAG)
- Time: 2nd Mondays, 5:30pm-7pm
- Location: Request Zoom link from fmartin@glide.org
- Leader(s): Pam Noli
The aim of this group is to engage, sustain, deepen and practice our inner work, learning, conversations, and actions around whiteness that can enable us to act as effective allies, personally, locally and at systemic levels to dismantle racism. We examine racism and supremacy, history and culture, white as a race, forms of racism, antiracist action, racism and the church, communication and the inner work for white bodies that we must do to enable racial justice work and to confront white supremacy. Authors studied include Resmaa Menakem, Kristin Neff, Tara Brach, Rhonda Magee, Isabelle Wilkerson, Ibram X. Kendi, David Campt, Cornell West, and more.
Health, Mind, and Body Groups
SMART Recovery
- Time: Mondays 1pm-2pm
- Location: Maya Angelou Room 201
- Leader(s): Derrick Lyndon Pallas, derrick@pallas.us
SMART Recovery is the leading, evidence-informed approach to overcoming addictive behaviors and leading a balanced life. SMART is accessible, adaptable, and affirming. The SMART acronym stands for Self Management And Recovery Training. It is a transformative method of moving from addictive substances and negative behaviors to a life of positive self-regard and willingness to change. Learn more about SMART recovery here.
Other Sobert Support Groups
Breathwork
- Time: Saturday, 10am-11:30am
- Location: Zoom only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89324331445
- Leader(s): Ria Tandon
Explore basic Indian techniques rooted in ancient yoga practices with our youth instructor Ria Tandon. Reduce stress, increase attentiveness, and utilize calming techniques for a healthier lifestyle.
Yoga Ministry
- Time: Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm, Thursdays 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Location: Sanctuary
- Leader(s): Fiorella
Our Yoga Ministry offers healing movement and sacred stillness to the community. Taught by Fiorella & team, our yoga classes are trauma-informed, body-affirming, and open to all abilities. This is more than exercise—it is embodiment as spiritual practice.