Gloria Holland Retires From The Columbia Union After 20 Years

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

After working at the Columbia Union Revolving Fund (CURF) for 11 years and the Columbia Union Conference for a total of 20 years, Gloria Holland is retiring this week.

After graduating from Oakwood University (Ala.) with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology, Holland started her career, working with underprivileged students at the Arsenal Technical High School (Ind.).

Over the years, Holland worked at several secular organizations, but always wanted to work for the church. Her first role at the Columbia Union was working as an administrative assistant in the Creative Ministries Department. Over the years, she also worked in the Treasury and Secretariat Departments. “When the opportunity came for me to come to the Columbia Union, I jumped at the chance,” she says, noting her roles at the union have been the best fit of her career—giving her a sense of belonging, camaraderie and mission.

“I have learned that I can really be of help and stretch myself,” says Holland, who has especially enjoyed her coworkers and assisting senior customers navigate technology when managing their accounts. 

“Gloria helped further the mission here at CURF by showing the love of Christ through her amazing customer service and her amazing organizational skills to make sure the organization ran smoothly for our team and entities within the Columbia Union territory,” says Candace Nurse, secretary/treasurer for CURF and associate treasurer at the union. “Her faith in God has given her the drive to come in every day and make a positive impact to those she interacted with on the phone and in person. They felt the love of Christ through her interactions.”

After retiring, Holland plans to relax and then travel across the country, visiting national parks and relatives.