We Are Inclusive + Affirming + Reconciling

We are one of the 32,148 United Methodist churches around the world – a diverse church where the table is large enough for ALL people to bring their beliefs, doubts and questions. Following the roots of Methodism, Glendale is devoted to putting faith + love into action and our primary mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

At Glendale, we believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We believe that Jesus is our Savior and that he has taught us how to receive and share love, grace, and mercy.

We believe the Spirit calls us to live according to the example of Christ. We therefore commit to cultivate inclusive love and intentional hospitality with all people, and welcome and affirm persons of every race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, faith story, education, physical or mental ability, economic status, or political perspective.

We consider our diversity to be a gift from God that strengthens us to worship, learn and serve in Christ’s name.

Find more information about what we believe – and how we put our faith + love into action here.

Our Welcome Statement

 We at Glendale UMC want you to know that no matter:
Where you’ve come from or where you are going; what you believe or what you may doubt; what you are feeling or just not feeling; what you have or don’t have; and no matter the color of your skin, who you love or how you identify – all of who you are is welcomed into this community of faith by a God who loves you and knows you by name.

Our church is an official Metro Nashville Police Department Safe Place. If you, or someone you know, needs to report a crime based on hate or bias, you can safely do that here at Glendale.

About Glendale UMC – Nashville

Glendale Methodist Church was founded in 1945 in the growing Glendale neighborhood of south Nashville. In 1968, with the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, this congregation became Glendale United Methodist Church.

Rev. Steph Dodge became our Lead Pastor in July 2017. Throughout the last few years, this community that we call Glendale has experienced a rebirth. Many people who have either been hurt by the church in the past and those who are looking for a new church that puts their faith into actionable + meaningful change have decided to call Glendale their home church.

By a unanimous congregational vote on August 11, 2019, we became an official Reconciling Congregation – an intentional step in continuing our church’s mission to share God’s love + grace to all people with no exceptions and no exclusions.

We are intentional in opening our space up to the community in a variety of ways – workshops on racial justice and LGBTQ+ justice, virtual learning space for our Pencil Partners schools Glendale Elementary and J.T. Moore Middle and our ministry with those experiencing homelessness, Room In The Inn – just to name a few. Our church campus also includes a Retreat & Hospitality House where church groups, travelers, or people simply seeking a quiet retreat can come to deepen their relationship with God. We provide space to our community ministry partners who offer spiritual direction and counseling. Right beside the sanctuary, an outdoor labyrinth sits, where all are welcome to take some time to slow down and enter into a time of prayer and on the front lawn, our new “Nathan’s Playground” is open to the community that provides a safe and fun space for all the children in our neighborhood.

We invite you to join any of our virtual or (safe) in person small groups and worship alongside us LIVE online here each Sunday morning @8amPT/9MT/10CT/11ET. We will worship outside on the lawn any Sunday when the weather is nice. All services will continue to be livestreamed for those at home or outside of the Nashville area. Come check out Glendale – we’re all on this journey of life together. Find a community that loves all of who you are here.

Rev. Stephanie Dodge

Lead Pastor | she/her

I am a 2012 Graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary.  I entered into ministry because I believe that everyone should be a part of the loving, supportive community that Christ offers each of us. In my free time I enjoy riding my bikes, working out, reading, and watching movies.

[Read Full Bio Here]

 

Dr. Laura Kreiselmaier

Staff Pianist | she/her

Dr. Laura Rosser Kreiselmaier is a holistic therapist, musician, and teacher.  A church pianist since age 14 and a member of Glendale since December 2013, she is delighted to serve as Glendale’s Staff Pianist.

[Read Full Bio Here]