Stories

Attending my first Mosaic dinner felt like entering into a warm home on a cold winter evening. The theme of the night, “Finding Light in the Winter,” deeply resonated with people in the room. At first, I felt a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect from this dinner, but as I walked into this new space, I observed the simple but elegant decorations, the smell of a three-course meal, and the warmth of everyone's welcoming voices when I sat down at a table. After getting to know the women at my table and feeling their gentle smiles, I knew it was a promising night ahead filled with comfort. 

“The Mosaic dinners were originally called Interfaith Dinners, but the name sometimes caused misunderstandings,” explained Elizabeth Rand, Campus Minister for Multicultural Engagement. Many assumed the focus was solely on exploring different religions, but in reality, the dinners were always about something much broader, bringing a community together to celebrate connection and diversity. To better reflect the inclusive spirit, the name was changed to Mosaic dinners, which shows a bright representation of the variety of people and perspectives coming together as one.

Each month, Campus Ministry hosts a Mosaic Dinner in one of the Residence halls. The one that I attended was hosted in the Sobrato Residence Hall and the dinner was served family style, which naturally encouraged connection. Strangers became companions as we got to know each other while the food was being passed around. Before each course, there was a poem read aloud, which set the tone of reflection. Each poem related back to finding light and discovering joy in life during the darker seasons. 

One of the participating students, Nina Taylor '26, shared her reason for coming back to the dinners. “The deeper meaningful conversation continuously draws me back to Mosaic Dinners,” she explained. “The dinners challenge you to reflect and share your thoughts with others, which is something you may not do in normal conversation.”

Bea Ricafort '25, another student participant, reflected, “When we all held hands and prayed together, it was a standout moment of community. It's a beautiful thing to take yourself out of the hustle of the quarter and truly break bread with the people in your community. Coming together at dinner and being able to pray was really a beautiful moment for me.” 

For anyone considering attending the Mosaic dinner, Bea Ricafort’s advice rings true, “Do it! The company is great and the conversations are really lovely.”

In a season often associated with cold and darkness, the Mosaic Dinner was a reminder that light is always within reach, waiting to be found in the warmth of community and the sharing of stories.

- Camila Perez '27