Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association (GILA)

History of GILA

Greenbelt Interfaith History – 1937-1997

“The families moving into Greenbelt in 1937 were of different religious backgrounds – 16 were Mormon, 8 Quaker, 62 Jewish, 183 Catholic, and 300 Protestant.  Close coordination between the different groups started soon after.”

“The Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association was originally organized in 1975 as the Greenbelt Clergy Association which promoted understanding, cooperation and mutual assistance. All faiths in Greenbelt were represented – Greenbelt Bahá’í Community, Greenbelt Baptist Church, Greenbelt Community Church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Mishkan Torah Jewish Community Center, Mowatt Memorial United Methodist Church, St Hugh’s Catholic Church.”

“The association sponsors a number of joint undertakings, including the Interfaith Thanksgiving Day service (dating from 1939), Help by Phone, the Roosevelt High School Baccalaureate Service and Labor Day Festival programs.”

Excerpts from, Greenbelt, History of a New Town 1937-1987, New 1997 Edition including the Sixth Decade 1987-1997, pages 267-269

GILA today is made up of the following religious organizations: Greenbelt Bahá’í Community, Greenbelt Community Church (United Church of Christ), Mishkan Torah Synagogue, Mowatt Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church, Catholic Community of Greenbelt, Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, Soka Gakkai Buddhist Organization, Sierra Leone Islamic Center, College Park Methodist Church, RCCG Restoration Church, Word of God Community Church.

Purpose of GILA

Since 1975, the purpose of the Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association (GILA) has been to facilitate the regular gathering of leaders and representatives from a full variety of local faith groups in the broader Greenbelt community, in order to:

  • discuss religious issues of our day in a friendly, productive atmosphere
  • appreciate and strengthen the multi-cultural environment of this area
  • enjoy sustaining fellowship with each other
  • collaborate on projects of worth

In this way, we stand in the cooperative tradition of historic Greenbelt by building more bridges among people, to enrich our own lives and foster ever greater compassion and charity.

GILA Annual Events:

  • Greenbelt Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration – This community activity, nearly as old as Greenbelt itself, features the Greenbelt Combined Choir, and is hosted by GILA members on a rotating basis.
  • GILA members walk together in the Greenbelt Labor Day Parade.
  • In 2023, GILA took leadership of an annual Memorial Service, part of the Labor Day Festival, that recognizes Greenbelt community members, current and former, who died during the prior year, many having done outstanding service in Greenbelt.
  • For 35 years, GILA provided an interfaith Baccalaureate Celebration for graduating seniors at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
  • The Christian GILA members hold a Sunrise Easter Service in Buddy Attick Park.

Joint Responses

  • In the 1970s, GILA instituted the Emergency Assistance Fund and Good Samaritan Fund for individuals and families in need. Money is received and managed by the City, and distributed through CARES. GILA provides guidelines for administration of the funds. When the funds run low, GILA informs the community via articles in the Greenbelt News Review and appeals at the Thanksgiving Service. During the pandemic GILA raised and distributed $100,000 this way.
  • September 16, 2001 – 9/11 Response: Interfaith Candlelight Vigil – this well-attended event at Greenbelt Lake Park gave comfort to a stricken community.
  • Demonstrated solidarity in the face of hate crimes and led community-wide rejection of recruitment efforts by the Klu Klux Klan.
  • GILA members spoke at the 2023 Martin Luther King Day event at Schrom Hills Park.
  • Community education in support of the Reparations Commission
  • On behalf of GILA, the Bahá’í Community is leading “Sacred Ground” dialogue circles, an educational program about systemic racism provided by the Episcopal Church.
  • Greenbelt Community Church planted a tree in memory of Rabbi Jonathan Cohen and in honor of the long relationship between Mishkan Torah and the Community Church.
  • During Covid, GILA members have mustered advocacy for People First ARPA allocations.

GILA collaboration with the Greenbelt City government

  • GILA meets monthly on the second Thursday. Its September–May meetings are in the Greenbelt Community Center. Summer meetings are via Zoom because Community Center space is needed for Greenbelt children in summer camp.
  • Greenbelt Recreation Department supports GILA’s annual applications for
     1) Recognition Group status and
     2) Permits to hold the Sunrise Easter Service in Buddy Attick Park with electricity.
  • Greenbelt CARES supports the operation of the Emergency Assistance and Good Samaritan Funds as described above.
  • GILA membership participates in the Greenbelt City Council’s biennial “stakeholder” work sessions with the city’s Faith Communities.
  • GILA members have testified at City Council meetings about social service needs.