40:
255:
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Williams retired as pastor in 2000 having turned 70 years old, the mandatory age of retirement for pastors employed by the United
Methodist Church. (Pastors in the United Methodist Church are not employed by the local church or congregation. Instead, UMC pastors are assigned to a local church by the
388:
I think that we must not be afraid of controversy or tension. We in the civil rights movement have learned how to rock the boat, how to disturb complacent middle-class people, how to root out complacency. It is good to have strong disagreement because from it comes movement and reaction.
438:
hired
Williams to fill a new office entitled Minister of Liberation. The position was created to allow Williams to officially continue to serve the community and church. He retained that office, as well as his position as CEO of the Glide Foundation, until officially stepping down in 2023.
389:
Controversy is the need; it stimulates communication and the exchange of ideas. Rejection once in awhile is a good thing too. It forces one to find oneself . . . Tension leads to resolution, to movement; at least, it lets people know that a living, fulfilling movement is on its way.
398:
Under his leadership, Glide
Memorial became a 10,000-member congregation of all races, ages, genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations. It is the largest provider of social services in the city, serving over three thousand meals a day, providing
245:
Under his leadership, Glide
Memorial became a diverse 10,000-member congregation of all races, ages, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. To this day, it is the largest provider of social services in San Francisco.
376:. Based on the contemporary campaign for African-American voting rights, he suggested that gays should use their votes to gain political power and effect change. In his advice for gay movement to create tensions, he echoed
547:
803:
915:
459:
Williams was married to school teacher Evelyn
Robinson (1927–1982) from 1956 until their divorce in 1976. They had two children: a son, Albert, and a daughter, Kim. He was married to
690:
234:. Subsequently he hosted political rallies, which drew in very diverse key speakers as result of the events' inclusive and inviting nature. Drawing on his experiences in the
977:
654:
442:
In August 2013, the intersection of Ellis and Taylor
Streets (location of the Glide church in San Francisco) was renamed "Rev. Cecil Williams Way" in honor of Williams.
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352:, saying it was a symbol of death and that his congregation should instead celebrate life and living. "We must all be the cross," he explained.
1134:
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207:(September 22, 1929 – April 22, 2024) was an American pastor, civil and LGBT rights activist, community leader, and author who was the
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Williams speaking in San
Francisco's Board of Supervisors chambers in support of the International Hotel tenants.
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431:
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298:
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274:, to Earl Williams Sr. He had four brothers, Earl Jr., Reedy, Claudius "Dusty", Jack and a sister, Johnny.
317:
the following year. He welcomed everyone to participate in services and hosted political rallies in which
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227:
114:
769:
Martin Luther King Jr., Homosexuality, and the Early Gay Rights
Movement: Keeping the Dream Straight?
310:
447:
611:
540:"Memorial services announced for Rev. Cecil Williams, longtime pastor of Glide Memorial Church"
377:
435:
361:
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235:
212:
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19:
This article is about the
American pastor. For the English-born South African activist, see
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683:"At a Crossroads / Assuming Cecil Williams can let go, what will become of Glide Memorial?"
407:
screenings, offering adult education programs, and giving assistance to women dealing with
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Beyond the
Possible: 50 Years of Creating Radical Change in a Community Called Glide
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238:, Williams was also one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the
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794:"Cecil Williams, reverend who turned a church into a safe haven, dies aged 94"
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715:(Press release). Southern Methodist University. May 12, 2005. Archived from
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364:, Williams was one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the
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330:
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When Williams became ineligible for assignment to a congregation by the
326:
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No Hiding Place: Empowerment and Recovery for Our Troubled Communities
649:
282:
266:
Williams walking south on Kearny Street at the January 1977 protest
906:"Catching Up With the Rev. Cecil Williams, a San Francisco Legend"
372:
in San Francisco, which was more outspoken than the contemporary
1000:"Rev. Cecil Williams, co-founder of Glide Memorial Church, dies"
713:"SMU Marks 50th Anniversary Of First African-American Graduates"
302:
262:
208:
645:"Cecil Williams, Legendary Pastor of Glide Church, Dies at 94"
325:
spoke and lectures were given by personalities as diverse as
1004:
970:"'Pursuit of Happyness' Tops Box Office, Highlights Church"
445:
Both Williams and the church are featured in the 2006 film
400:
341:, Williams attempted to negotiate a deal for her release.
404:
110:
939:"Tenderloin Corner Named To Honor Glide Co-Founder"
466:Williams died on April 22, 2024, at the age of 94.
739:
496:
1115:Religious leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area
1032:"GLIDE Co-founder Rev. Cecil Williams dies at 94"
827:"Delegates retain mandatory retirement age rules"
1071:
731:
639:
637:
847:By 2013, retirement age had been changed to 72:
785:
509:(Forward). New York City, NY: Harper Collins.
129:Evangelist, activist, community leader, author
897:
737:
634:
463:, a poet, from 1983 until her death in 2021.
852:"Conference withdraws clergy age guidelines"
538:staff • •, NBC Bay Area (April 27, 2024).
454:
427:presiding bishops of the global Church.)
270:One of six children, Williams was born in
38:
680:
537:
936:
872:
771:. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 123–124.
738:Williams, Cecil; Laird, Rebecca (1992).
475:
434:, the local congregation and affiliated
261:
253:
21:Cecil Williams (anti-apartheid activist)
885:from the original on September 23, 2016
824:
791:
606:
604:
602:
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598:
482:. San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row.
355:
186: 1983; died 2021)
16:American Methodist minister (1929–2024)
1072:
903:
583:from the original on September 2, 2017
571:
569:
567:
565:
315:Council on Religion and the Homosexual
289:in 1952. He was one of the first five
967:
949:from the original on October 25, 2013
904:Knight, Heather (December 21, 2023).
746:. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.
693:from the original on October 16, 2013
681:Strasburg, Jenny (October 17, 2004).
676:
674:
672:
622:from the original on January 13, 2017
1135:20th-century African-American people
1130:21st-century African-American people
849:
766:
595:
1042:from the original on April 23, 2024
1012:from the original on April 22, 2024
968:Black, Nathan (December 18, 2006).
937:Padojino, Jamey (August 20, 2013).
918:from the original on April 23, 2024
806:from the original on April 24, 2024
657:from the original on April 23, 2024
562:
368:. In 1964, he gave a speech at the
13:
1105:Huston–Tillotson University alumni
980:from the original on March 4, 2016
669:
360:Drawing on his experiences in the
14:
1161:
1110:Perkins School of Theology alumni
1095:African-American Methodist clergy
1058:
792:Clayton, Abené (April 23, 2024).
550:from the original on May 11, 2024
1120:American United Methodist clergy
158:
1024:
992:
961:
930:
818:
469:
183:
154:
1125:American LGBT rights activists
760:
705:
531:
1:
1090:People from San Angelo, Texas
524:
370:Society for Individual Rights
299:Southern Methodist University
249:
232:Southern Methodist University
222:He was one of the first five
119:Southern Methodist University
1150:21st-century American clergy
1145:20th-century American clergy
873:Mathison, John, ed. (2016).
7:
618:. The Faith Project. 2003.
479:I'm Alive: An Autobiography
382:Letter from Birmingham Jail
287:Huston–Tillotson University
106:Huston–Tillotson University
10:
1166:
875:"Retirement or Transition"
825:Gilbert, Kathy L. (2004).
348:removed from the church's
344:In 1967, Williams had the
339:Symbionese Liberation Army
295:Perkins School of Theology
228:Perkins School of Theology
115:Perkins School of Theology
18:
1100:American Methodist clergy
767:Long, Michael G. (2012).
393:
313:in 1963, and founded the
311:San Francisco, California
194:
133:
125:
97:
90:San Francisco, California
78:
52:
37:
30:
943:The San Francisco Appeal
476:Williams, Cecil (1980).
448:The Pursuit of Happyness
856:United Methodist Church
831:United Methodist Church
687:San Francisco Chronicle
455:Personal life and death
301:in 1955. He became the
850:Hahn, Heather (2013).
391:
378:Martin Luther King Jr.
267:
259:
44:Williams and his wife
862:on September 23, 2016
837:on September 23, 2016
577:"Rev. Cecil Williams"
436:non-profit foundation
386:
362:civil rights movement
337:was kidnapped by the
307:Glide Memorial Church
265:
257:
236:civil rights movement
213:Glide Memorial Church
205:Albert Cecil Williams
57:Albert Cecil Williams
1140:Activists from Texas
421:mental health issues
356:LGBT rights activism
277:Williams received a
157: 1956;
366:gay rights movement
240:gay rights movement
1038:. April 22, 2024.
1008:. April 22, 2024.
911:The New York Times
879:johnedmathison.org
499:Mirikitani, Janice
374:Mattachine Society
268:
260:
67:September 22, 1929
778:978-1-137-27551-6
719:on August 6, 2012
497:Williams, Cecil;
461:Janice Mirikitani
413:domestic violence
293:graduates of the
272:San Angelo, Texas
226:graduates of the
202:
201:
172:Janice Mirikitani
71:San Angelo, Texas
46:Janice Mirikitani
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858:. Archived from
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612:"Cecil Williams"
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291:African-American
279:Bachelor of Arts
224:African-American
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85:
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417:substance abuse
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198:2 with Robinson
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161: 1976)
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144:Evelyn Robinson
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1065:GLIDE obituary
1060:
1059:External links
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974:Christian Post
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32:Cecil Williams
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753:9780062509673
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126:Occupation(s)
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104:(Sociology),
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1044:. Retrieved
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951:. Retrieved
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920:. Retrieved
909:
899:
887:. Retrieved
878:
864:. Retrieved
860:the original
855:
839:. Retrieved
835:the original
830:
820:
808:. Retrieved
799:The Guardian
797:
787:
768:
762:
741:
733:
721:. Retrieved
717:the original
707:
695:. Retrieved
686:
659:. Retrieved
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624:. Retrieved
615:
585:. Retrieved
552:. Retrieved
544:NBC Bay Area
543:
533:
502:
478:
470:Bibliography
465:
458:
446:
444:
441:
429:
425:
409:homelessness
397:
387:
359:
343:
335:Patty Hearst
331:Billy Graham
319:Angela Davis
276:
269:
244:
221:
204:
203:
84:(2024-04-22)
25:
1085:2024 deaths
1080:1929 births
723:February 7,
697:February 7,
587:February 3,
507:Dave Eggers
1074:Categories
525:References
432:episcopate
327:Bill Cosby
281:degree in
250:Early life
63:1929-09-22
1046:April 23,
1016:April 23,
922:April 22,
810:April 24,
661:April 22,
650:KQED Inc.
350:sanctuary
283:sociology
98:Education
1040:Archived
1010:Archived
984:June 21,
978:Archived
953:June 21,
947:Archived
916:Archived
883:Archived
804:Archived
691:Archived
655:Archived
620:Archived
581:Archived
579:. NNDB.
554:July 15,
548:Archived
501:(2013).
321:and the
195:Children
616:pbs.org
333:. When
188:
180:
176:
163:
151:
147:
134:Spouses
108:(1952)
775:
750:
513:
486:
419:, and
394:Legacy
303:pastor
209:pastor
121:(1955)
92:, U.S.
73:, U.S.
1036:KRON4
346:cross
285:from
182:(
178:
153:(
149:
1048:2024
1018:2024
1005:KTVU
986:2014
955:2014
924:2024
891:2016
868:2016
843:2016
812:2024
773:ISBN
748:ISBN
725:2013
699:2013
663:2024
628:2016
589:2018
556:2024
511:ISBN
484:ISBN
401:AIDS
329:and
159:div.
102:B.A.
79:Died
53:Born
405:HIV
380:'s
309:in
305:of
297:at
230:at
215:in
211:of
117:at
111:ThM
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1002:.
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