Rooted in Abundance:
Many Hands, One Table
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This month, abundance looks like partnership. Galilee has always leaned on the strength of our community partners. This month, that circle grows even wider.
We're teaming up with International House to bring English as a Second Language classes back to Galilee starting in September. We've already kicked things off with a conversational Spanish class for Galilee volunteers, taught by International House's own Darena Villalobos! We're partnering with The Center for Wellbeing & Care at Christ Church to offer a wellness workshop for nonprofit staff and volunteers this August. We're also working with the Greater Enrichment Program (GEP) to collect school supplies and backpacks for GEP students at Merry Oaks. There's a lot of growing together happening this summer. We are grateful you are part of it.
| | Save the Date: Power of 11 Abundance in Action Breakfast | |
Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple speaks to Galilee friends gathered at the
October 10, 2025 Power of 10 Breakfast
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Eleven years ago, Galilee opened its doors with little more than a kitchen, a handful of volunteers, and the belief that there would always be enough to go around. This October, we're celebrating that 11th year with a breakfast built on the same belief — that abundance grows when a community chooses to share it.
Our goal is $100,000 by the end of 2026, and this breakfast is one of the biggest steps toward getting there. Details on how to reserve your seat are coming next month.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
| | 🗓️ Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Galilee. | ⏰ 10 AM to 11 AM | | Back to School — Backpacks & Supplies Drive | A new school year is right around the corner, and Galilee is teaming up with Merry Oaks International Elementary School and the Greater Enrichment Program to make sure every student starts prepared. From backpacks to composition notebooks, your donations help lighten the load for families across our community. See the flyer below for the full supply list, drop-off details, and a QR code to order supplies online. | | |
Caring for Self as You Care for the World
If you're reading this newsletter, chances are you spend a lot of your time looking after someone else. This gathering is for you.
Galilee, in partnership with The Center for Wellbeing & Care at Christ Church Charlotte, is hosting a gathering built around rest, connection, and a shared meal. Amy Styers Bissette, LCSW, will lead a conversation on resilience and burnout — practical tools for staying well while doing work that asks so much of you.
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🗓️ Monday, August 24
👥 Audience: Nonprofit staff and volunteers
✍️ Register by August 17 at https://bit.ly/4eYy1w9
⏰ 10:30–11 AM gather (coffee & pastries)
✨ 11 AM–12 PM workshop led by Amy Styers Bissette, LCSW
🍽️ 12–1 PM lunch by Sen Mee Noodle House
Questions? Contact Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com.
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Education for Ministry Returns This September — New Year, New Voices
Education for Ministry is entering the second year of its revised curriculum, and Galilee will host a group starting this September. We meet Mondays, 8:30–10:30 AM. Whether it's been a while since your last EfM year or you've never taken it before, this is a good moment to jump in.
The Classic track still spans four consecutive years — Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Christianity & Ethics — and a new option called Wide-Angle gives newcomers a single-year introduction that touches on all four. Every seminar group meets weekly to pray, discuss the week's material together, and reflect theologically as a community, now supported by an online platform that brings podcasts, videos, art, and essays into the weekly rhythm.
Here's what participants are saying about the revised curriculum:
"Great content, lots of thought-provoking study, and excellent group discussions."
"The richness of using videos, paintings, etc. has expanded how I've engaged with the material."
"Everyone is delighted with the readings — we have people reading all five years, including Wide-Angle."
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🗓️ Mondays starting in September
⏰ 8:30–10:30 AM
Questions? Contact Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com.
| | In Partnership with International House | | Learning Together: Volunteers Take On Spanish | In mid-July, a group of Galilee volunteers started something new: a Spanish class of their own! Taught by Darena Villalobos of International House, the class is part of our growing partnership with International House — the same organization that will bring English as a Second Language classes to Galilee starting this September. It's a small but meaningful reminder that abundance flows both ways: our volunteers show up to serve, and now they're growing right alongside our neighbors. | | Darena Villalobos & Galilee Volunteers | | English as a Second Language Classes | |
Starting this fall, Galilee is partnering with International House to host English as a Second Language classes right here at the Center.
We're looking for volunteers who can teach or co-teach (with plenty of training before class starts), sit in, support, and help with any conversation practice, or bring snacks. If you are interested, contact Emily at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com.
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🗓️ September 14 – November 19
⏰ Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30–11:30 AM
📍 Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte
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Please share flyers with neighbors who might be interested!
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Middle Schoolers Stock Lydia's Pantry
Community Spotlight — Episcopal Outreach Camp
| On June 29, a group of middle schoolers from St. Peter's, Holy Comforter, and Trinity Episcopal (Statesville) came to Galilee as part of Episcopal Outreach Camp. They brought food donations for Lydia's Pantry, sorted and stocked the shelves, and made encouragement cards to go inside each bag — a beautiful reminder that abundance starts young. | Campers and volunteers work together to shelve donations in Lydia's Pantry. | | Encouragement cards, made by hand, will go inside each pantry bag — a little extra love with every donation. | | Middle schoolers sort through canned goods, stocking Lydia's Pantry can by can. | |
Neighbors Caring for Neighbors
Lydia's Pantry
| Every can, every box, every bag on Lydia's Pantry shelves represents someone who made room for their neighbor before they ever got to the checkout line. Thank you for keeping those shelves full. | | Volunteers distributing food at Lydia's Pantry | | |
What we need right now:
- Laundry detergent (new)
- Dish soap (new)
- Clorox wipes (new)
- Body wipes (new)
- Shelf-stable milk
- Strawberry or grape jelly
- Granola bars
- Canned pasta (e.g., ravioli)
- Peanut butter crackers
- Regular crackers
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Rice
- Peanut butter
- Soup
- Dried beans
- Diapers (size 4, 5, and 6)
- Baby Wipes
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Reminders:
🚫 Avoid glass containers if possible
✨ Pop-top cans are especially helpful
⏰ Drop off Mon–Thur, 10 am – 3 pm
📦 Ship to: 3601 Central Avenue, 28205
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In the Wishlist, you can sort by Priority (high to low).
💛🙏 Every donation to the pantry is an act of shared abundance. 💛🙏
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Abundance at the Table
Food is Love
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Many thanks to Samantha and Joe Turner
for providing a delicious lunch this month!
| Neighbors gather for a meal and conversation at July's Food is Love Community Lunch | |
Next Food is Love Community Lunch
🌟 Host: St. Martin's Episcopal Church
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, August 18
⏰ 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
📍 Galilee Flag Hall
✨ FREE: Donations are appreciated but not expected! 💛🙏
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2026 Community Lunch Schedule
🗓️ Third Tuesdays
⏰ 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
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- September 15 Hosted by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
- October 27 (Note: 4th Tues.) Hosted by St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
- November 17 Christ Church Outreach & Mission Commission
- December 15 Hosted by St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
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Many hands make light work!
Galilee Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
| | We recently celebrated our volunteers with an appreciation lunch — because Galilee runs on the generosity of the neighbors who show up week after week. | | |
A friendly face at the door changes how someone's whole visit feels.
We're looking for Front Desk Greeters for these shifts:
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| Tuesday
12-2 pm
2-4 pm | Wednesday
12-2 pm
2-4 pm |
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Complete our Volunteer Interest Form at
https://bit.ly/GMECVolunteer or email EDGalileeEast@gmail.com
Our volunteers are not helpers at the margins, they are the heart of Galilee. Whether greeting neighbors at the front desk, stocking pantry shelves, or tending the garden, every hour of service is an act of shared abundance.
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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
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Back to School
Backpacks & Supplies Drive
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Drop off donations
Monday–Thursday
10 AM–4 PM
3601 Central Avenue.
Visit https://bit.ly/4fzxjpj to order supplies online and have them shipped straight to Galilee!
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Food is Love
Community Lunch
Save the Date
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🗓️ Tuesday, August 18
🌟 Host: St. Martin's Episcopal Church
⏰ 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
📍 Galilee Flag Hall
✨ FREE - Donations are appreciated but not expected! 💛🙏
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Email The Reverend Deacon Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com
if you would like to help set up before or clean up after the luncheon.
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Caring for Self
as You Care for the World
A morning built around rest, connection,
and a shared meal.
✍️ Register by August 17 at https://bit.ly/4eYy1w9
🗓️ Monday, August 24
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👥 Audience: Nonprofit staff and volunteers
⏰ 10:30–11 AM gather (coffee & pastries)
✨ 11 AM–12 PM workshop led by Amy Styers Bissette, LCSW
🍽️ 12–1 PM lunch by Sen Mee Noodle House
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Trouble So Hard
Songs & Stories of Slavery, Freedom, and Civil Rights
Presented in partnership with the Arts & Science Council
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🗓️ Saturday, August 29
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Galilee
✨ FREE - but space is limited
✍️ Register at https://troublesohard.com/reserve
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Save the Date
Power of 11: Abundance in Action Breakfast
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🗓️ Wednesday, October 21
⏰ 10 AM to 11 AM
📍 Galilee
Stay tuned for details!
| | | | Partnership is just another word for shared abundance — and this month, we're grateful for every neighbor, volunteer, and organization growing alongside us. Thank you for being part of the Galilee community. | |
Stay Connected!
Be the first to know about our events, updates, and initiatives by following us
on Facebook, Instagram and signing up for our eNews.
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Our Mission is to build a stronger East Charlotte community by welcoming,
connecting, and empowering collaborations in a space of belonging.
| | We envision an East Charlotte community where all people are rooted in connection, celebrate justice, radiate joy, are filled with abundance, and walk in the way of love. | | |
Galilee Ministries is a special mission
of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. All are welcome!
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