March 30, 2023

Galilee’s front room was filled with people on Wednesday, March 22 at noon. Present were a dozen public school principals, two members of the Board of Supervisors, the acting Superintendent of Schools, a retired Presbyterian minister, a rabbi, a Catholic priest, two Bahai’a’s, and representatives from several neighborhood places of worship. The occasion? Lunch.

It was as simple as that.

At the invitation of Rev. Dr. David Milam, executive director of a group called Loudoun Interfaith Bridges and the aforementioned Presbyterian minister, faith leaders and school administrators from within the Algonkian electoral district were invited to lunch with their peers. We wanted them to put faces to names and to increase bonds of affection among the community of people who are responsible for raising up the next generation of Loudoun citizens. For this, Galilee was more than happy to open up our doors.

A unique gathering of leaders from schools and the community.

Pastor Jason opened the lunch with an ecumenical prayer. Then, at tables of half a dozen or so, these community and school leaders relaxed and chatted about their challenges, successes, and concerns for our area kids.

All the school administrators testified to what a diverse area the Algonkian district is. One principal counted 55 nations as among those represented by his student body. Knowing the background of these students—and meeting figures from their faith community—helps school officials foster a welcoming school environment for all.

Many school officials know Galilee as the church that provides Backpack Buddies meals to more than 400 Loudoun students at multiple schools. It was wonderful to hear from several principals what an impact that makes—and that Galilee was far from alone in our work to support students.

For their part, many of the faith leaders at Wednesday’s lunch run, as Galilee does, their own school or after school programs. They are in the education game, too. Their involvement in community, like ours, runs beyond the school age demographic. They support community programs for people of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Bringing all the members of our community closer is important in a society where loneliness and isolation can beget group-based hostility.

It was said a lot at this lunch: “We’re all the same.” There might be 55 nations or ethnicities represented at a school, but in God’s eyes we are all the same. “We” might be Methodist or Jewish and “they” might be Muslim or Catholic, Sikh or Bahá’í, Hindu or Baptist, but at bottom—in the hopes and dreams that we have for our kids and our lives—we are all the same.

It was a wonderful lunch. Galilee is proud to have hosted it.