Little Flowers Community is a local church with expressions intentional community of faith in downtown Winnipeg.  Inspire by both the Anabaptist & Franciscan tradition, together we embrace lives of generosity, simplicity, hospitality and peace.  We are primarily made up of people who live in the neighbourhood (though all are welcome), with many of our core members choosing to share life together through co-housing.  We currently have 2 communities houses in the neighbourhood, a third in development (see Chiara House) and one small co-housing community outside of the the West End.

Little Flowers Community is a partnership between Mennonite Church Manitoba and YWAM Urban Ministries Winnipeg.  After several years of life and ministry in Winnipeg’s inner city West End community, YWAM felt that the formation of a new church in the neighbourhood was a natural next step.  After expressing the desire to partner with an established denomination with similar values and beliefs, they were approached by Mennonite Church Manitoba.  It is out of this relationship that Little Flowers is born.  Our beliefs, and therefore lifestyle, are shaped by a commitment to radical obedience to the teachings of Christ in the Mennonite tradition.  We are also inspired by the life and example of Sts. Francis & Clare of Assisi.

Little Flowers is committed to being a missional community, meaning that we seek to make the mission of God the organizing reality of everything that we are and everything that we do.  It is distinctly shaped by and for the unique culture(s) of the West End.  While Jamie Arpin-Ricci serves as the pastor of the church, his role is one of many equally valued and mutually necessary giftings represented by others.  The Arpin-Ricci’s have been career missionaries with YWAM with more than 25 years collective experience serving in more than 11 nations.  Their work in urban ministry in Canada included living & serving in Vancouver’s downtown Eastside, as well as 7 years living & serving in Winnipeg’s West End.

Little Flowers is committed to be community-led, including all involved in the shaping and movement of the church.  Within that, there is a core of believers who are committed to be servant leaders.  The current leadership team includes:

• Delia & John Knight
• Laura Jackson
• Lindsey Ainsworth
• Jamie Arpin-Ricci