Jaidymar Smith and Creciendo Juntas
A Bilingual and Multicultural Fresh Expression That Gathers Around Art
We’re back this week for our second Fresh Expressions Western NC newsletter. Each newsletter, I interview a fresh expression leader from WNCC and share any updates about events and resources. Let me know if you would like your fx featured in the newsletter!
This week I interviewed the one and only Jaidymar Smith about her fresh expression called Creciendo Juntas (Growing Together). Jaidymar is one of my favorite humans. Creciendo Juntas emerged from her passion for art and her experience moving from Puerto Rico to North Carolina. Jaidymar is creating a community of belonging for Hispanic/Latino ladies and Anglo ladies in her small town community. It’s a little slice of heaven. I asked Jaidymar a few questions about her experience leading this fresh expression. Enjoy!
The Interview:
What church are you at and what is your role there?
I am currently a member of Jordan Memorial UMC and La Luz de Cristo UMC in Ramseur, NC. I am part of the laity in our church.
What is your fresh expression of church and what is it like?
Creciendo Juntas (Growing Together) is a monthly gathering where we learn about God through arts and crafts, and enjoy fellowship together. We gather, usually on the third Saturday on the month from 10am to 12pm. We have time to get to know one another, to pray for one another, to learn what God is wanting to teach us, we craft, and then we finish sitting around the table to have a light meal together.
How did it get started?
Creciendo Juntas started as a result of listening, listening to the needs of the community. Many ladies in our community, including myself, were experiencing loneliness. They were desperately searching for community, and new friendships. We started meeting at our house (this made it comfortable and non-threatening); it made them all feel as if they were at home with friends, which they were.
What is one of your favorite stories from it?
There are so many stories I could share, but my favorite thing to say is there is power and transformation in sharing your story. Creciendo Juntas is a safe space for everyone to share their story if they wish to do so and by doing so, everyone has been able to learn that we are not so different after all. Sharing their stories, gave way for healing of the heart to take place. From little ones to more mature ladies, they have all learned to love, accept, and embrace one another. We are no longer strangers, we are family!
Your fresh expression is bilingual and multicultural. How has that been? What have been the gifts and the challenges from this?
Having a bilingual and multicultural fresh expression is definitely a gift from God! It is such a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God, to have ladies from different cultures, backgrounds, languages, and ages come together, and find Jesus and friends in this space. The only challenge we have is that being bilingual, while it is such a blessing, it is also difficult because there aren’t many people who speak both languages in our community and could help with the translation part. Although I do not mind translating and enjoy it, I continue to pray for God to send people who can help with this. This will mean that whether I’m there or not, it could continue being bilingual. As far as the gift from this Fresh Expression, I would say it is being able to witness healing happening, trust rebuilt, transformation received, and sisterhood/friendships form.
Is there a spiritual element yet? If so, what is it?
Yes! From the very beginning, everyone was ready to receive the word of God, so this has made it easier to share about His love and truth. Together, we pray, and study scripture. Our devotional always goes along with the craft or art we will work on during the day. So for example, during our last Creciendo Juntas, one of the members talked about the gardens in Scripture, and what happened at each of them (new life, relationship, pain, etc.) and compare that to the garden of our life. She then taught us to do a macrame plant hanger, and we created a small “garden” in a glass container to go in it.
What is something you have you learned from leading this fresh expression that would be helpful for others to know?
Do not be afraid of differences! Embrace the diversity in your community! At first, I was worried about having the two languages at the same time, and having little ones join us. But God… He worked out everything for His good. They are so used to hearing both languages now, and something amazing started to happen, they are learning each other’s language. Now, the ladies are learning both Spanish and English. As far as having little ones, not everyone is able to have a babysitter to watch their little ones, but having them come and craft with us, and participate with us, has been a beautiful gift from God. Not only is giving them “mommy and daughter” time, it is also helping the little ones with their own struggles. At our last gathering, a 9 year old girl met a new friend, a lady in her 70’s. By the end of the day, the little girl said that her “favorite part was meeting my new friend. She is like a very sweet grandma. I love her.” So again, don’t be afraid of differences!
What are you excited about coming up in your fresh expression?
Our group is growing, and our current meeting space is not big enough anymore. I am very excited because this means the word is spreading, and God is doing beautiful things. We will be moving to a bigger room in our church (there are no third spaces in our community) and call it our Creciendo Juntas Gathering Room. Also, new forms of art are being incorporated into our time. Two of the ladies that come to our gatherings, have offer to teach us how to cook a dish from their country. Isn’t it all so exciting?
What’s Happening in WNCC Fresh Expressions?
The first ever Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering is coming to Charlotte in February! February 7-9, 2024 we will be hosting speakers and attendees from across the country at Providence UMC. There is a great lineup of speakers, we’ll have immersion experiences, and there will be lots of opportunities for making connections with other fresh expressions practitioners. Registration is open and if you are a lay person or clergy from the Western NC Conference be sure to use coupon code “wnc” to drop the registration price down to $99! It’s going to be so epic!