International Festival
Reflecting on the Fourth Annual International Festival
What an incredible weekend we had at our Fourth Annual International Festival! This year was our biggest yet, with over 1,500 people coming through our doors. The hard work and dedication of our amazing team truly shone through in every detail, making this one-day event a memorable celebration of culture, community, and generosity.
✨ Festival Highlights:
- Close to 30 countries represented.
- 17 musical acts showcasing the beauty of global sounds.
- An international food court that delighted our taste buds.
Games and crafts for kids that brought smiles to so many faces.
Beyond the festivities, we came together to make a difference, raising funds for three of our mission partners:
- Tijuana Christian Mission
- Violence Free Futures
- Greene County FISH Pantry
We’re still calculating the final totals, but your generosity will have a lasting impact! Our space was truly alive, filled with energy, joy, and connections. With overflowing parking lots and wall-to-wall activity, we are more excited than ever for our upcoming building expansion, set to break ground in March 2025. This addition will allow us to welcome even more people and continue sharing God’s love in meaningful ways. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported this incredible event. You’ve made a difference, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year! Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved in the journey ahead!
Honoring Pastor Lilanthi
As Pastor Lilanthi steps into retirement, we celebrate the incredible impact she has had on our church and community. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication have been a true blessing. Reflecting on her retirement celebration, Pastor Lilanthi shared these heartfelt words:
“Thank you does not even come close to the gratitude I feel for the amazing retirement celebration both on Saturday and Sunday. To all who planned the events, to all who came, sent cards and gifts, participated and worked tirelessly behind the scenes, I appreciate you and your generosity. I thank God for surrounding me with such deep love, encouragement, and support. Let us continue to give thanks for God’s faithfulness and provisions.”
Pastor Lilanthi has faithfully served congregations in diverse roles, including youth pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor, and pastor of congregational care. Her ministry has reached churches in Fairborn, Cincinnati, and Toledo, before her return to Dayton in 2018 to serve at St. Andrew UMC. With her gentle spirit and steadfast commitment, she played an instrumental role in the transformative process of uniting St. Andrew UMC with Mosaic Church. Through her leadership and prayerful guidance, she helped blend these congregations into the vibrant, multiethnic, multiracial, multicultural, and multi-socioeconomic church family we are today.
Pastor Lilanthi’s creativity in designing meaningful worship experiences for all styles of services and her tender pastoral care have touched countless lives, particularly those who were sick or grieving. Her ministry exemplifies the love and grace of God, bringing comfort and encouragement to many.
Her own journey of faith began in 1977 when she asked Jesus to come into her life, and she has been walking with Him as her Lord ever since. Trusting and obeying God has led her on an adventurous and impactful path of service. At Mosaic Church, Pastor Lilanthi’s commitment to loving and serving all God’s people has been a shining example of faith in action.
We thank God for Pastor Lilanthi, whose life and ministry have been a blessing to so many. Her legacy of faithfulness, love, and service will continue to inspire us as we move forward together in God’s work. May God richly bless her in this new chapter of her journey.
A Message From Pastor Lilanthi
A HUGE thank you to pastors Wayne and Roz, as well as Callie, and the whole worship team for a very meaningful service. I was very surprised and moved by the heartfelt love and care I received as well as all the various participants and special music. Thank you also to Lynn Moad and Karen Muller for coordinating the retirement reception on Saturday and to all who contributed to the celebration with set up, refreshments, and clean up. I appreciated everyone that came to the celebration, as well as the cards, and gifts I received. Thank you does not seem adequate to convey my gratitude. I thank God for our time together. I will continue to pray for you as you grow and follow the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. May God’s love continue to flow through you to extend God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.