Reverend Cecil Williams’ 90th Birthday Party

GLIDE will host a day of special celebrations commemorating social and civil rights activist, community influencer, and spiritual leader Reverend Cecil Williams’ 90th birthday, on Sunday, September 22. Festivities will take place during two GLIDE Church Sunday Celebrations at 9:00 and 11:00 am (330 Ellis Street at Taylor), followed by a birthday party at Boeddeker Park from 12:30 to 3:00 pm (located across the street at 246 Eddy).

The celebration at GLIDE Church will include a fashion show with members of the legendary GLIDE Ensemble of vintage dashikis worn by Cecil Williams over his 55-plus years at GLIDE, open-mic birthday wishes, a rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by the congregation and visitors and a historic video and photo tribute. A procession led by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band will leave GLIDE at 12:30 pm, and head to nearby Boeddeker Park, where the festivities will continue with cupcakes, a dance party with DJ KingMost, an open mic and more. Both events are free and open to the public. .

“If we had to choose one word that embodies Cecil’s commitment to serve, it would be love,” said GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan. “We are humbled and honored to celebrate his life and legacy as we continue to take GLIDE Forward.”

Reverend Cecil Williams, Minister of Liberation of GLIDE Church and Co-Founder of GLIDE along with his wife Janice Mirikitani, has spread his message of radical inclusion and unconditional love to millions of clients, supporters, friends and volunteers for over 50 years. As minister, author, social activist, lecturer, community leader and spokesperson for the poor and marginalized, Reverend Williams is respected and recognized as a national leader on the forefront of change and in the struggle for civil and human rights. His ministry underscores his roots in liberation theology.

For more information on the afternoon festivities, please call (415) 674-6060, email echan [at] glide.org or visit GLIDE.org.


WHAT:
Reverend Cecil Williams’ 90th Birthday Party

WHERE and WHEN:

Sunday, September 22, 2019
9 am and 11 am: GLIDE Church, 330 Ellis Street at Taylor
12:30 – 3 pm: Public Celebration in Boeddeker Park, 246 Eddy Street

ADMISSION:
Free and open to the public

INFO:
For more information, please call (415) 674-6060, email echan [at] glide.org or visit GLIDE.org.

ABOUT REVEREND CECIL WILLIAMS

Often considered controversial and radical, Rev. Williams was one of the first clergymen to take a revolutionary stand for same sex couples by presiding over their weddings five decades before today’s struggle to legalize gay marriage. His vision for the 21st-century church can be seen in GLIDE’s unique and powerful blend of spirituality, principled compassion, and cutting-edge programs for those most in need. With a membership of over 11,000 and located in the heart of the city’s toughest neighborhood, GLIDE is one of the fastest growing churches in North America. People of all races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, social classes, ages, faiths and sexual orientations join together at every Sunday Celebration to experience the energy of spiritual liberation coupled with the fusion of jazz, blues and gospel performed by the renowned GLIDE Ensemble choir and the Change Band.

Rev. Cecil Williams is married to Janice Mirikitani, Co-Founder of GLIDE. Together, they created a radical and unique partnership, bringing a powerful yet sensitive direction to GLIDE’s many social programs.

In 1986, Reverend Williams was appointed as Chairman for the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee at the request of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Reverend Williams was the recipient of the 2008 National Caring Award presented by the Caring Institute in Washington, D.C. He was presented Southern Methodist University’s Most Distinguished Alumni Award. SMU’s Perkins School of Theology named its state-of-the-art Preaching Lab in honor of Reverend Cecil Williams and his many contributions to church and society to inspire future generations of students entering into the ministry and continue Rev. Williams’ legacy of radically inclusive ministry.

Williams has authored two books, I’m Alive!: An Autobiography and No Hiding Place: Empowerment and Recovery for Our Troubled Communities. Williams is also the co-author with Janice Mirikitani of Beyond the Possible: 50 Years of Creating Radical Change in a Community Called GLIDE.