What are our sermons like?
Please enjoy these insights to a healthy spiritual relationship from our pastor, Rev. Dr. Wilfried Glabach.

Back to What's Happening Page
Back to Welcome Page
Back to Who Are We Page

The Rev. Dr. Wilfried Glabach is minister of First Congregational Church of San Francisco.  On April 1st, 2001 he began serving our church as a term-limited pastor; on February 22nd, 2004 he became installed as our permanent pastor and teacher. 

Wilfried is a member of the Evangelical Church of the Rhineland. This regional church is part of the Union of Evangelical Churches (UEK) that is in “Kirchengemeinschaft” (relationship of full communion) with the United Church of Christ since 1980. Wilfried served a congregation near Aachen, Germany for more than 16 years. He felt that his Green Card that he won in a lottery was a sign of God, and he decided to move to the United States in August 2000. In 2001 Dual Standing was granted to Wilfried in both the UEK in Germany and the United Church of Christ. 

Wilfried’s theology is ecumenical and progressive, biblical grounded and open; his spirituality encourages everyone to experience the vitality of Christianity; his faith is inclusive and committed to the teachings of the United Church of Christ. He is proud of being a pastor of the United Church of Christ, for him "the most prophetic Christian denomination in the United States of America." 

He received his Doctor of Ministry in May, 2006 from San Francisco Theological Seminary. His dissertation was on preaching and teaching the Book of Revelation in the context of a progressive congregation. He developed his suggestions of new readings with his advisor, Dr. Luise Schottroff, the world known German Feminist New Testament scholar. 

Wilfried’s pastoral duties are conduction worship services, performing weddings, unions, funerals, and baptisms. He is also responsible for religious education, pastoral care, and outreach into the neighborhood of Polk Street and the wider community. He is working together with the San Francisco Night ministry, LGBT organizations, and other social agencies in the city. Weddings, unions and other pastoral duties can be performed by him in English, German, Dutch, or French. Bilingual services are also available.

Wilfried is very excited about building a new church at Polk and Bush Streets. He sees in the new church building a statement of faith of the second oldest congregation in San Francisco, he believes that our new church is an “Embassy of God’s Love.” 

Back to Top

Back to Top