A local Adventist church pastor received an award for “Outstanding Contribution by a School Community Member” for volunteering at the Morisset Public school (NSW).
Pastor Leticia Moreno, from Avondale Memorial church, was awarded on Thursday, August 8, by the Western Shores Learning Alliance (WSLA) as a recognition for her “commitment to the school’s Breakfast Club and assistance with student learning”.
Volunteering at the school every Thursday for the past 18 months, Pastor Moreno helps run an initiative that provides breakfast for the children as they arrive at school.
“Some of the kids are barely having breakfast or are not having any at all. So this may be the only breakfast they have. For others, it may just be a top-up,” said Pastor Moreno.
She helps with prepping and serving and brings bread and spreads donated regularly by Memorial church member Annette Lamplough.
“During the time we serve them, it also allows for the opportunity to talk to the kids and to see how they’re going and connect with them as they talk about their hobbies, friendships, family, etc,” Pastor Moreno explained.
In addition to the Breakfast Club, she also helps children in the kindergarten classrooms with literacy activities. “Sometimes it’s reading with the kids, sometimes talking to them, encouraging and listening to them. I also support the kindergarten teachers with anything practical.”
The award presented by WSLA—formed by the Dora Creek, Cooranbong, Bonnells Bay, Morisset and Wyee Public schools—is part of a yearly event that happens during Education Week at Morisset High. The nomination for the award came from the teachers and staff with whom Pastor Moreno serves.
Known as “Pastor Leticia” by students and staff, she said the school knows she serves at Avondale Memorial church, “And I often give them donations of food or other things that church members give to me to give to the school.”
According to her, volunteering at a public school is a way to create a bridge between the local Adventist church and the community.
“Showing Jesus in practical ways, caring for and listening to students and staff, being there for them when hard things happen, is a way of showing the gospel when openly sharing the gospel with words is not an option. But actions often speak louder than words because I could never have imagined that I would receive this award,” she said, thanking her church community for the support in building that bridge.
“They may not understand everything about my faith, they may not know Jesus yet, but they know and can appreciate love. Love and care are things we all respond to, and it’s what Jesus commanded us to give as a gift to this world,” Pastor Moreno concluded.
