On 1 December 2024, Portsmouth Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Possibility Ministries hosted a red-carpet ‘Dinner with a Difference’ for the elderly and individuals with special needs. Featuring live music, poetry, a three-course meal, and uplifting messages, the event fostered community, inclusion, and joy during the festive season.
On Sunday, 1 December 2024, an exceptionally special red-carpet dinner was hosted by the Possibility Ministries of Portsmouth Church for the elderly and those with special needs within the church and community. Eighteen people attended this event, including individuals from the Centre of Hope and the Bognor Friends community. This special ‘Dinner with a Difference’ was the first of its kind for the church and brought together individuals who needed to feel the spirit of joy during this special time of year.
The spirit of joy was evident in the cheerfulness that filled the room as attendees entered the dinner hall smiling brightly, each presented with a rose. After being ushered to their seats, Magarate Mahleza delivered the opening remarks, extending the spirit of unity with a heartfelt and warm welcome.
Guests were then asked to introduce themselves using the rose they received upon arrival. They were encouraged to give the rose to another guest as a gesture of appreciation or to share kind words. Initially, one couple struggled to participate due to a language barrier, as they didn’t speak English. However, with the assistance of Dr Elliott Williams and a translation app, they were able to join in. Despite the language challenge, “it was heartwarming to witness the support and efforts to include everyone,” said Sherril Richardson, Possibility Ministries leader, highlighting the idea that language has no boundaries.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to live musical entertainment, poetry, and humour. Special performances by Calroy, Maricar, Elliot (the poet), Yasmin, Aoki, and Candice had everyone singing along and clapping to the music. Between musical acts, Sherril kept the guests engaged with her jolly humour. The infectious energy made the entire evening momentous.
After the entertainment, guests were served a delicious three-course meal, catered by Creation Kitchen, along with a lovely surprise gift. In many cultures, sharing a meal is a powerful manifestation of sociability, fostering a sense of belonging and community. This was clearly visible at ‘Dinner with a Difference,’ as guests who were previously strangers began conversing and getting to know each other.
The evening concluded with a beautiful speech by Esther Williams, encouraging attendees to live their lives to the fullest. She said, “God has a plan and purpose for your life even in your older years. So, live each day to the glory of God—live it to be a blessing to God and of benefit to others; live it as if it were your last—live for Jesus.” Dr Elliott Williams closed the evening with a prayer.
As guests left the venue, they carried with them a sense of belonging, their smiles shining brighter than when they first arrived. Beaming with gratitude, they humbly expressed thanks to the organisers of the event:
“It was a lovely evening. I really appreciate all the hard work that went into it.” – Janet
“Thank you for a fabulous evening and fellowship! I loved the prayers and Christian stories, and the friendship was wonderful. I really enjoyed the entertainment—it was incredible! The artists are so talented! The dinner was so delicious! The gifts were absolutely lovely. I had a really great time and felt so welcomed!” – Jean
“I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The meal and social were perfect.” – Delene
The event was organised by Possibility Ministries leader Sherril Richardson, whose passion and drive for helping others led her to come up with the idea. Sherril said, “While this festive season can be a joyous occasion for many, it can also be lonely for the most vulnerable and can be a time of dread. I wanted to do something special for the elderly and those with special needs in the church and community. The last four weeks of planning were not easy, but with God’s grace everything came together.”
This ‘Dinner with a Difference’ would not have been a success without the help of everyone involved. Special thanks go to Dr Elliott Williams, Esther Williams, Magarate Mahleza, and Margaret Gunje; Sherril Richardson—for coordinating the event; Patience Ncube and Merlinda Lafeuille—for decorations; Maricar Medina—for photography and song; Prenti Chenge and the Creation Kitchen team; Candice and Yasmin—for string instruments; Aoki—for piano; Shahira—for graphic design; Calroy Joseph—for saxophone; and Elliot Msindo—for poetry. Without them, this event would not have been possible. Thank you!
This event reminded everyone of the importance of sharing a meal with others, including strangers. Next year, ‘Dinner with a Difference’ plans to be bigger and better, touching even more lives within the community.