Rooted in Abundance:
Full Circles, Full Hearts
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August at Galilee has been full of full circles: new partnerships taking root, longtime ones deepening, and neighbors showing up for each other in ways big and small. We celebrated Board member Dr. Yolondra Cochran's health advocacy honor, gathered with our fellow Trinity Episcopal School service learning partners ahead of a third year working alongside their 5th graders, and sent more than 120 backpacks home with Merry Oaks students ready for the first day of school. English classes, a full community lunch table, fig trees loaded with fruit almost ready to pick, and a season of fall gatherings are just ahead. Abundance, as always, is shared in every direction.
We are grateful you are part of it.
| | Save the Date: Power of 11 Abundance in Action Breakfast | | |
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 legacy with a breakfast featuring The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, 12th Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina, as we work toward our goal of $100,000 by the end of 2026.
RSVP by Friday, October 9 at bit.ly/ThePowerof11
| | 🗓️ Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Galilee. | ⏰ 10 AM to 11 AM | | Thank You for a Record-Breaking Backpack Drive! | | |
A huge thank-you to everyone who donated school supplies and backpacks this summer! Together we filled and gave away more than 120 backpacks loaded with everything students need for a great start in the Greater Enrichment Program at Merry Oaks International Academy.
Special thanks to Flo and Connie Sessoms and family, members of St. Michael and All Angels, and Taylor and Haley from Heal the City for organizing supplies and stocking backpacks!
| | Volunteers and partners gather around the finished backpack table. | | The Sessoms family and friends help stock backpacks with school supplies. | | Taylor and Haley from Heal the City sorted donated school supplies | | Backpacks and supplies ready for pickup. | | A Third Year Alongside Trinity Episcopal School | Next month, Galilee begins its third year as the service learning partner for Trinity Episcopal School's 5th grade. Throughout the school year, students visit Galilee to experience firsthand the many ways our community cares for its neighbors. | Service learning partners gather at Trinity for a partnership luncheon on August 12. | Galilee is one of ten organizations serving as a Trinity service learning partner, alongside Charlotte Community Toolbank, Children of the World Learning Center, Crisis Assistance Ministry, First Ward Child Development Center, Hope Haven, ImaginOn, InReach, Nourish Up, and Roof Above. We're grateful to be in such good company! | |
Galilee Board Member Honored with Candace Award
On August 15, Galilee Board member Dr. Yolondra Cochran received the 2026 Candace Award for Advocacy in Health from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Queen City Metropolitan Chapter. Each year, the chapter honors one woman in the categories of Education, Economic Empowerment, Health, and Public Policy, plus an Unsung Hero, recognizing Black women's leadership and advocacy across Charlotte.
The “Candace” title dates back to the queens and warrior-rulers of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, mentioned in Acts 8:27 and inscribed on Egyptian monuments. It names a dynasty, not one person: a lineage that centered African women's leadership.
| | Dr. Yolondra Cochran, 2026 Candace Award winner for Advocacy in Health. | | Congratulations, Yolondra. We're proud to call you a Galilee board member! | | English as a Second Language Classes: Coming Soon! | | |
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
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!
| | Since March, Galilee volunteers have made and distributed roughly 760 loaves of bread and 635 quarts of soup across 10 varieties! | | Our favorite Amazon delivery driver, Yesenia Sprinkle, was the very first to receive a loaf in its new bag! | | We recently graduated from wrapping our bread in plastic wrap to sealing loaves in brown paper bags with an Our Daily Bread (& Soup!) sticker. | Fresh loaves, bagged and stickered, ready to share. | | |
Abundance at the Table
Food is Love
| | Many thanks to St. Martin's Episcopal Church for providing a delicious lunch! | | Lunch-prep photo of Joe and Stewart | | St. Martin's volunteers in the kitchen | | Neighbors gather for a meal and conversation at August's Food is Love Community Lunch | | |
Next Food is Love Community Lunch
🌟 Host: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, September 15
⏰ 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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- 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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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 on September 21st. 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 on September 21st
⏰ 8:30–10:30 AM
Questions? Contact Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com.
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Neighbors Caring for Neighbors
Lydia's Pantry
| Thank you for keeping our shelves stocked and our neighbors fed. We see your generosity in every can, every box, every bag on Lydia's Pantry shelves. | | |
What we need right now:
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Clorox wipes
- Body wipes
- Cereal
- 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
| In the Wishlist, you can sort by Priority (high to low). | |
💛🙏 Every donation to the pantry is an act of shared abundance. 💛🙏
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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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
| | Education for Ministry Returns September 21st | |
🗓️ Mondays starting on September 21st
⏰ 8:30–10:30 AM
| Questions? Contact Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com. | | | | | | English as a Second Language Classes | |
🗓️ September 14 – November 19
⏰ Mon. & Wed., 9:30–11:30 AM
📍 Galilee
✨ FREE
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Food is Love
Community Lunch
Save the Date
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🗓️ Tuesday, September 15
🌟 Host: St. Peter’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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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!
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Save the Date: Mecklenburg Interfaith Friendsgiving 2026
A Celebration of Culture, Creativity, and Community
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🗓️ Thursday, November 19
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Myers Park Covenant Church
Sliding scale tickets ($5–$25, no one turned away for lack of funds).
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Growth takes many hands. Thank you for being one of ours.
In every backpack packed, every class started, and every seat filled at the table, we see the abundance of this community.
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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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