Loudoun Interfaith BRIDGES
Loudoun Interfaith BRIDGES is an interfaith association engaged in building relationships through interfaith dialogue, goodwill, education, and service. St. James UCC is proud to be one of the founding congregations behind this effort to truly represent the diversity among the faith communties that have made Loudoun County their home. BRIDGES currently includes representatives from Sikh, Muslim, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Baha’i, Roman Catholic, Quaker, Hindu, and several Protestant denomination congregations.
We describe ourselves at St. James as an open and affirming community that “transcends any distinctions based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or religion. As such, we not only find that we have the same destination as our sisters and brothers of other faiths, but that we are, in the ways that really matter, walking along the same road with a great deal to say to one another.
The Guiding Objectives of BRIDGES:
1. Community Assistance / Social Justice: To work side-by-side with people of diverse faiths and Cultural expressions. To inspire a sense of unity through acts of mercy, generosity and empowerment on behalf of those who experience oppression.
2. Advocacy and Policy Matters: To foster a unified interfaith representation/voice on various countywide issues and concerns.
3. Social Events – Celebratory and Educational: To recognize diversity and inspire unity through an annual series of events that welcome and honor the faith expressions and humanity of all.
4. Youth Education: To promote a safe, tolerant and harmonious environment by providing programs and experiences for children and youth in the county who belong to various faith and cultural traditions.