A Mother’s Day Celebration at York Temple

by Krystal Morales Báez

The Salvation Army Spanish Temple Corps in York, Pa., held their annual Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday, May 4. What began as a simple gathering for mothers four years ago has steadily grown each year, resulting in their largest and most impactful Mother’s Day celebration to date.

The joyful day of fellowship welcomed both corps members and new visitors. Guests shared a meal, participated in Bible trivia focused on women in Scripture, and enjoyed fun prizes. For the first time, the celebration took place on Sunday instead of Saturday, allowing it to flow directly from the Holiness Meeting and enriching both the spiritual and communal experience.

“During the Holiness Meeting, some people reconciled with the Lord,” said Lieutenant Marangelly Quiñones, the corps officer. “Others accepted Him for the first time. We draw people in by inviting them to a celebration, but the outcome we were hoping for from the Lord came to fruition.”

As the congregation continues to rebuild after the challenges of the pandemic, this year’s Mother’s Day celebration reflects how intentional ministry and openness to the Holy Spirit can lead to lasting growth. Today, the corps has 55 active members and continues to welcome new faces each week. The Mother’s Day event has evolved over the years, with thoughtful changes made to better meet the needs of the community. This year’s updates helped them reach their highest attendance numbers yet, serving a total of 76 people.

York Temple is a Hispanic congregation, made up of members from 11 different nationalities across Latin America and the Caribbean. This rich cultural diversity adds to the depth of their worship and their ministry.

“We have Chileans, Haitians, Colombians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans,” Quiñones shared. “Each one has their roots, but they’ve complemented each other beautifully. We gather and all rejoice in the Lord together.”

Another meaningful tradition at the York Temple Corps is the weekly Sunday meal, prepared the night before in the corps kitchen, and shared after the Holiness Meeting. Breaking bread together is more than just hospitality; it’s a vital part of the corps’ ministry. Through these meals, the officers are able to truly know their congregation and can offer care not just from the pulpit but also at the dinner table.

We thank and bless Lieutenant Marangelly Quiñones and her husband, Lieutenant Pedro Molina, for their leadership, for creating spaces where celebration and salvation go hand in hand, and for their dedication to meeting the spiritual and practical needs of their multicultural flock. May God continue to strengthen and guide them in their ministry.

photos by Jeff Bruce