At our church, Nueva Esperanza, our vision is to welcome and help those recently arrived in Winnipeg from Spanish-speaking countries. We see the daily hurdles they face, and with this in our hearts, we wanted to create an oasis—a place of genuine connection and joy.
Our primary goal for our Mother’s Day Celebration was to engage with the individuals we serve through our Food Bank, aiming to foster meaningful connections and build genuine friendships.
On May 4, 2025, at the Prairie Central Adventist Academy, seeing this vision come to life was truly remarkable. I watched families arrive and saw the beautiful, enthusiastic interactions between our church members and guests. Our members, embodying the spirit of our Welcoming Ministry, had arrived early to organize the space, decorate with remarkable tablecloths and fresh flowers, and prepare the food.
The atmosphere was filled with soft background music, and you could feel barriers breaking down as our members sat and talked with guests who were not yet regular attendees. I observed so much happiness throughout the day, with laughter, applause, and moments of quiet reflection.
The celebration was a tapestry of heartfelt moments:
- We held a special musical tribute dedicated to the mothers in attendance.
- The mothers participated in a relaxing and creative activity: painting ceramic pots, while the fathers and children enjoyed outdoor games.
- We presented each mother with a flower as a symbol of our appreciation and love.
- We held a fun, interactive group game that encouraged laughter and connection among our guests.
One of the most powerful interactions for me was a conversation I had with a family who asked about our church’s activities for their children, Isaac and Jacob. They were also curious about the Bible stories related to their sons’ names. Seeing their surprise and interest as we talked was an enjoyable and meaningful opportunity to share our faith.
As the day drew to a close, with a shared supper and the excitement of a prize raffle, something unexpected and wonderful occurred. Several mothers approached me and asked if they could help with our upcoming events. One guest, in particular, expressed a sincere desire to be more involved. To me, this showed that many are ready to serve right alongside us in the Welcoming Ministry.
This celebration was more than just an event; it was a spiritual growth moment for our church. It reinforced that the ministry must focus on connecting with and caring for people—both those who serve and those who are served.
As our 15 newfound families left, with flowers in hand and smiles on their faces, it was clear that new seeds of friendship had been sown. We invited them all to a series of parenting lectures in June, not just as an announcement, but as a promise of our continued support and community. This was not an end for our church, but a beautiful new beginning.
By Pastor Carlos André Pscheidt, Transcona and Nueva Esperanza Seventh-day Adventist Church District