{"id":26536,"date":"2026-02-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26536"},"modified":"2026-02-06T23:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:11:21","slug":"atlantic-southeast-multicultural-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/atlantic-southeast-multicultural-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"District executives, denominational leadership join in Atlantic Southeast District\u2019s first Multicultural Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Walt Wiltschek<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor we are strangers no more, but members of one family.\u201d With these words, borrowed from a popular Brethren hymn, Miami (Fla.) Haitian Church of the Brethren pastor Ilexene Alphonse summed up the spirit of Atlantic Southeast District\u2019s first Multicultural Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held at the Miami Haitian church on Jan. 31, the event brought together about half of Atlantic Southeast\u2019s 18 congregations to share in a joyful celebration of the district\u2019s cultural tapestry. Many members of the denomination\u2019s Council of District Executives (CODE) and several other agency representatives also were present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The afternoon included dances by several groups, including one started by an elderly member of the congregation who was soon joined spontaneously by a whole line of others. There also were songs shared in Haitian Creole, French, Spanish, Bassa, and English; poetry; a performance by Ted Swartz of acting troupe Ted & Co.; and even a fun-filled group participation version of \u201chot potato\u201d titled \u201cTick, Tock, Boom.\u201d The afternoon concluded with a rousing congregational rendition of \u201cHow Great Thou Art\u201d in four languages and a potluck meal held in a tent set up in the parking lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Atlantic Southeast District ministry team organized the event. It was set amidst a larger continuing education event for CODE in the Miami area that included multicultural Bible studies on Acts 2, visits to other area congregations, conversation with Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries director Founa Badet, and meals featuring local cuisine. A number of others attending the Multicultural Festival also stayed for worship Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Photos courtesy of Walt Wiltschek<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWhat a glorious time we have had,\u201d said Beth Sollenberger, Atlantic Southeast District interim director of administration, sharing her gratitude at the end of the weekend. \u201cIt has been wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Ilexene Alphonse added, smiling broadly, it was \u201ca taste of heaven\u201d to be \u201cunited in Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Walt Wiltschek is district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren\u2019s Illinois and Wisconsin District.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n