Small steps to helping orphans in Mansfield

BY MATT KAKLEY SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 2:41 AM EST

Pastor David Arruda of the Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church in Mansfield hung 150 shoes, each representing one million orphaned children, from the church's belfry to draw awareness to the problem. (Staff photo by Mike George)

MANSFIELD - Anyone walking past Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church on North Main Street may have noticed some peculiar decorations strung from the belfry.A rope adorned with 150 shoes has been hanging from the bell tower all month long, and no, the church's decorator hasn't lost his mind. Rather, each shoe represents one million orphan children."We're trying to bring attention to the plight of these children," said Pastor David Arruda, who hung the shoes. "It's a major, major problem."There are more than 150 million orphan children worldwide, Arruda said, with 120,000 children available for adoption in the United States, alone."A majority will never know the miracle of adoption, the love of a family," he said.
And the shoes are more than just decorations. The church is selling the shoes for $100 each, with the goal of donating $15,000 to help other ministries across New England establish orphan relief programs.The shoes will be displayed and for sale until Christmas, and Arruda said the church has sold 25 to 30 shoes already.According to Arruda, almost 70 percent of those in the prison system have been in the foster care system at some point in their lives. He said that if those children had been adopted earlier in life, they might not have had problems down the road."If we take a look at these kids and help them, we would affect a whole lot of other problems," he said.The decision to hang the shoes from the belfry came just weeks after Arruda spent several days on the church's lawn to show the struggles of the homeless. The pastor said he is trying to change the way people perceive these problems."I like to try and get people to look at things in a different way," he said.Even if the shoe sale doesn't raise the whole $15,000, Arruda said he will have accomplished his goal if awareness of the problem grows."If one more person, when going to bed, asks for a prayer for the orphans, then hanging the shoes has been well worth it," he said.MATT KAKLEY covers Mansfield for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.

Mansfield News

Homeless in Mansfield
By Donna Whitehead
Thu Oct 16, 2008, 01:44 PM EDT
Mansfield -

The Rev. David Arruda, pastor of the Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church, says his five days camping out on the lawn of his North Main Street church to try and raise awareness for homeless will always be with him.
Though he knew his situation was temporary and by Sunday night he would be in his own bed, Arruda said was taken by surprise by the depression and anger he experienced.
“I was shocked by what I learned about myself and how quickly I was brought down,” Arruda said. “This experience will be with me for a long time.
“These five days will clearly stick.”
Arruda’s stint on his own church lawn was an effort to raise awareness about homelessness in connection with the church’s screening of a documentary on the subject, “Lost in Woonsocket” Sunday, Oct. 12. The screening was attended by more than 70 people and was part of the church’s focus this year on relationships, Arruda said. They have explored relationships with self, family, community and God. This month they are discussing homelessness and domestic violence. Future months will address topics from adoption and foster care to managing finances.
The pastor knew people involved with the film and wanted to help get it seen by more people.
“Everyone thinks that homelessness is an urban problem, it’s not in the suburbs,” he said. “But the reality is it’s everywhere in rural communities, suburbia and urban areas.”
Arruda stressed that no one sets out to be homeless. He said homelessness affects the mentally ill, and others who fall through the cracks. There are veterans who are homeless and more coming home who may have trouble getting their old jobs back in this economy, Arruda added. He also stressed the rising number of homeless families. Some are people who have never had to struggle to survive before and lack the skills to do so.
“I’m concerned because these people don’t have skills to survive,” he said. “Someone who has scraped by and had hard times can live without a lot of things.”
There are also the “working poor,” people who could easily become homeless if a family member becomes ill or loses a job, he said.
So to raise awareness, Arruda took a sleeping bag and tent to his church lawn to spend a few nights. He limited his food supply to what was on hand in the church food pantry. His first meal was cold canned spaghetti and Spam. He also limited himself to the church lawn.
By the first night Arruda was already feeling depressed.
“I didn’t expect it,” he said.
He said he had a warm, expensive sleeping bag, the temperatures weren’t bad and he knew his situation was temporary .
“I’ve camped out before,” he said. “I thought it would be a walk in the park.”
But Arruda found himself getting angry and upset with the friends who stopped by to see him, bringing him coffee and words of support.
“I was thinking, ‘Why aren’t you here with me,’” he said.
During the day he would ponder his reaction but never found the reason. He described himself as normally a “true optimist” who wakes up singing.
He also noticed people’s reactions to him. The first few days people would not make eye contact, especially older people. On the last morning when he went to Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee looking “like a homeless guy,” people would step around him in line.
However, once publicity spread about who he was and what he was doing, people began saying hello, stopping by and offering food.
“It was interesting to see the change,” he said. “People tooted horns and waved.”
One experience stands out in his mind.
“One gentlemen rode by on a bike in the mornings,” Arruda said. “The first two mornings he said hello and seemed to have no problem with a man in a tent.
“Saturday morning he said, ‘Good morning pastor.’ Then he came by again and asked if I needed anything. I said no. He came a third time and asked if I was sure. He came a fourth time and asked if I wanted coffee or a muffin because he was going to Dunkin’ Donuts.
“The fifth time he returned with a bag from Dunkin’ Donuts. ‘I just wanted to tell you,’ he said. ‘I know where there’s a guy living in the woods. If you don’t want this I’m going to bring it to him.’
“That made the whole five days worthwhile,” Arruda said.
To read Arruda’s blog of his experience go to http://11thhourchurchturnaround.blogspot.com/2008/10/sleeping-out-for-jesus.html.

Sun Chronicle

Mansfield Faith
Common cause with homeless
BY MATT KAKLEY SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Saturday, October 11, 2008 3:07 AM EDT
Pastor David Arruda of the Faith Fellwship United Methodist Church in Mansfield is living in a tent outside of the church.
Top Headlines
Common cause with homeless


MANSFIELD - Although he had only been living like a homeless person for less than a day, the Rev. David Arruda said depression already was creeping upon him.He was tired, sore and hadn't gotten very much sleep because of the street noise, something the homeless must deal with every day."This was just one night," said Arruda, pastor of Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church in Mansfield. "How can we expect someone who's been at this for months to be up and chipper?"To learn about what the homeless go through, Arruda decided to spend more than three days living in a tent outside the North Main Street church. His experiment began Wednesday night, and will continue until Sunday, culminating in a service and film screening on the topic of homelessness.Arruda said his goal is to increase awareness among local residents, showing them that there are homeless people everywhere, not just in urban settings.
"There are homeless in Mansfield, there are homeless in Foxboro, there are homeless in Norton," he said. "It's in every community, no matter what the economic bracket."Sitting in front of the church and eating a meal from a food pantry - Spam and crackers - Arruda reflected on the psychological and spiritual effects homelessness can have on people, and how a home goes beyond just a physical structure."It's not just a roof over someone's head," he said. "It's a place to rest. Not just physically, but mentally and physically."The pastor is also looking to show people that the stereotype of homeless people must change. The old belief that the homeless are older people with substance abuse or psychological problems has gone by the wayside, he said."The average age of a homeless person, worldwide, is 8 years old," he said. "They're people with mortgages they can't afford. They're the working poor.""They're the people asking, do we buy food or do we pay the rent? Do we put fuel in the tank or do we buy medicine for the kids?"Arruda said he's striving for "awareness of the end result, but also the other things that get them to the end result."Arruda will speak about his experience at a service at 7 p.m. Sunday at Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church, 9 North Main St. in Mansfield.The program will also feature a screening of the award-winning documentary "Lost in Woonsocket."The film chronicles a group of filmmakers as they began a bold humanitarian experiment roaming around the country, looking for perfect strangers who needed help. They end up stumbling upon a tent in the woods outside of Woonsocket, R.I., containing two men who had been missing from their families for 13 years.
The documentary from 2007 is for mature audiences and contains some strong language.The film will be followed by a question and answer session with some of the film's subjects.Admission is free, but donations will be accepted and seating will be limited for the intimate screening. For more information, call 508-339-6040 or visit the church's Web site at 11thhourchurchturnaround.blogspot.com.In Arruda's mind, the only way to solve the world's homeless problem will be a union of churches putting aside differences in faith and working together."Government can't do it," he said. "Money isn't going to do it, people are going to do it."MATT KAKLEY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 7

Good Moring

Well it is the last morning of waking up to the sound of traffic. It is going to be a big day around here today. Church Service at 9:45 am and at 7:00 pm Screening of "Lost in Woonsocket".

We shuold be hopping all day.

Well after I posted to the blog last night, I had some more visitors. At 11;00 oclock at night people drove out of their way to "let you know we support what you are doing. and they were praying for me". WOW!!!

Made my sleeping a little easyer, "Sweet Dreams " seemed as a possiblity after that.

I am going to try to place a video in this post

Shalom

Pastor David


"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 6

Hi All

Blessings from the little 5 foot by 6 foot tent. Its a little tight in here, but the good news is it is my last night in here.

Well I said this morning, things would be active around here today. It was non-stop, people every were, folks stopping by saying Hi. waving as they drove by. It was a fun day, And I was well feed, all day. Had surprise visits from friends and the best surprise was Jane (my wife) came by to say good night. She spent about an hour with me, then headed home. It was a bitter sweet visit, she is missing me (well that's what she said) and I am missing her. But one more night. AMEM!!!

We are getting ready for the Screening of the film "Lost In Woonsocket" at 7:00 pm tomorrow night.

I am realy tired tonight, so I well hit the old sleeping bag a liitle early Chat with you in the morning

Shalom

Pastor David

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 5

Good Morning

Day three, chilly this morning woke to clear starry skies. My mood is different this morning from yesterday morning. Feeling very lonely, I think it is the crash from yesterdays High. So many faces, then nothing, nobody around, by 10:00 last night I was alone. I woke up about midnight and found myself alone and annoyed at the people that had visited me during the day. I was annoyed and resentful, they “went home” and here I am in this silly little tent. They all said “how great of a thing I was doing” then they went Home. I found myself thinking; “if this is so great, were is your tent” and “I bet we can find a sleeping bag for you”. I went back to sleep than woke up at about 5:30 this morning. When I woke I was no longer annoyed or resentful, but rather ashamed, guilty, and saddened over my poor thinking. How could I have the audacity to feel that way? This is my choosing, to be living on the lawn, not theirs.

But what about those Real Homeless People that had no choose, how do they do this every night? Are we aware of the ups and downs or could we possibly understand the roller coaster ride of emotions. No wonder some of the Homeless people I have met, seem to be uncertain or leery of people. We need to take the time and try to understand what is going on with the Homeless, try to find out what part of the emotional roller coaster ride they are on when we met them.

Well the morning is getting better, sun is up and folks from the church are dropping of Hot Coffee from DD and a muffin or two
There will be a lot of activity today at the church, “Clothes To Go” will be open this morning for people to come by and get FREE Clothes.

Come on by, Say Hi and pick up some new clothes

Shalom

Pastor David

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 4

Hi All

Day two is coming to an end, and God sure blessed me all day!!! The day started great with a surprise wake up visit from my wife Jane. She is Great!! God had all sorts of people dropping by today. If the real Homeless People had as many visitors as I had they would be feeling like a king or queen. My friend Chris stopped by on her way to work, with a cup of coffee an two breakfast burritos form MD. Then a few people passing by stopped an chatted for a few minutes, which was very nice. I found out that not more that a half mile from the church a man is living in the woods. A few of the people passing by offered to get me food or drink, this is a major change from the day before. Then the Friday Morning Prayer Group showed up and held their prayer meeting on the lawn right by my tent, Roseann D come walking down the street with bags from DD. Complete set up a Box of Joe, Cream, sugar, cups, and muffins WOW!. About 1:00 o clock a car pulled up and I really had a surprise, Dr. Dan from Amazon ChroiMed stop by to give this old back and neck an adjustment, "A HOUSE CALL to A HOMELESS Pastor?" Dr Dan and Anita stay for awhile then the went and brought back lunch and sat and ate with me. Italian! Hot food WOW. Kim W and Z showed up with a Cheese Burger and Fries, and coffee from MD's and less then an hour passed and Thom D is walking up with a coffee from DD and Home Made grill cheese sandwiches. So day two of being Homeless, Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch and Supper was delivered to me.

I really loved all of this out pouring of love from friends, But what about the REAL HOMELESS.

This out pouring of love is exactly what Jesus tells us to do for everyone. Not just for some pastor trying to make a statement. What about that man that is living in the woods a half mile away? I wonder when was the last time he got one meal dropped off to him, never mind THREE and SNACKS.

There are 380,000 Protestant Churches in this country with an average attendance of 100 people each week. There are 4 Million Homeless in this country, If each person in each church feed ONE HOMELESS Person for one day there would only be 200,000 HUNGRY HOMELESS PEOPLE in this country.

The Church of Jesus Christ has to but down the things that are dividing us an PICK UP THAT CROSS that unites us. God's plan is very simple, " love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. and love your neighbor as you love your self" WOW !!!

Shalom

Pastor David

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 3

Good Morning

I woke this morning to a wonderful surprise!!! My cellphone rang at about 5:30 am, it was my wife Jane saying "Good Morning". It felt so good to hear her voice, then she told me to "open the tent " she was parked in front of the tent with a HOT CUP of COFFEE from DD. It moved me to tears. We spent some time together before she had to head to work. I am truly blessed with such a wife. After Jane left I felt very sad, not only that she had to leave, but how many Homeless people have no one to spot by and say "Hi". How much would it cost any of us that are blessed with a family, friends, and a home. to spot by someone in need or that has less than we do and just say "HI!!!". I really feel we would not fall into financial ruins if we just noticed one another.

Slept very well last night, The traffic noise wasn't bad. I do not know if I am become accustom to it or I was that tried enough that I just slept through it. A little cooler this morning, but clear blue skies. Can't wait to see what other Blessings God will send my way today.

Shalom

Pastor David A

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus Post 2

The first full day of being homeless, was very interesting.

I was tired all day, not that much sleep the traffic keep me awake most of the night.

By mid-morning found myself getting very depressed, I thought the lack of sleep was causing the depression. However I realized that it was not just the lack of sleep, but the thinking about not having anyplace to go, feeling very exposed to everyone passing by. It took about an hour to get myself out of that slump. Then my thoughts turned to all those homeless people in the country, If I am getting depressed on my first day of a few days of homelessness. What is it like to be homeless for months or years? How deep and well rooted well depression be in a few months, never mind a few years.

I made it a point not to eat supper last night and not eat till lunch. I wanted to feel what it must be like to wake up and be hungry. Boy I was hungry when noon came, I could smell the food from the to eateries down the street. I was ready to walk down the street and pickup lunch. Then it came to me if I was truly homeless, I would have no money for food and would have to rely on the free food of a "food pantry". So lunch was a can of cold "chef boy arde" Macaroni with meat sauce from the churches food pantry and supper was crackers and Spam (cold)

The people passing by made the day a little shorter. For the most part lots of people are very friendly, smile, say hello, how's your day, and so on. Some look at me, with the "how dare you say anything to me look" or the "what the heck are you doing there look". Even the cars passing by will wave and smile, if i make eye contact.

I think I am starting to understand this "them and us" thinking. As cars pass by I am thinking of how good they have it and how little I have. It is very easy to forget that my car is parked 100 feet away. We take what we have for granted, until we do not have it any longer.

Getting ready to sack out for the night. It is a lot cooler tonight them last night, put no signs of rain, This is good!!

Blog you in the morning. You are in my prayers

Shalom

Pastor David A

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake"

Sleeping Out for Jesus

Well I made it through the first night on the lawn of the church. Set up the tent about midnight, climbed in said some prayers and tried to get some sleep. Do you know how noise traffic can be? I well say that load mufflers and small trucks shake the ground. My sleep started to get better when the traffic subsided that was about 2:oo am , Oh thats when it started to rain a little.

The town of Mansfield cleans North Main street at about 3:00 am. Just for your information, a street cleaner at 3:00 am and about 10 feet away not only shakes the ground it LOUD!!! real LOUD!!.

By 3:30am I was thinking and praying hard about the millions of people all over this country sleeping under overpasses, along highways, and in doorways on busy streets. I will be in my bed on Sunday night, so this is just a little unconfortable for a few days for me. But the homeless in the world live like this every day and night.

I well keep you posted on how things are going. I would love to here from you

Shalom

Pastor David A

"Have Fun, Take Chances, & Go Fast for Christ's Sake!"

The Working Poor

Faith Fellowship UMC to host a screening of the
Award-winning Documentary Film
LOST IN WOONSOCKET
At
9 North Main Street
Mansfield, Ma. 02048


On Sunday October 12, 2008, at 7 PM, Faith Fellowship UMC will host a one time screening of LOST IN WOONSOCKET, a film about how kindness and hope can bring about miracles.

Faith Fellowship UMC, Mansfield’s renewed and upcoming church is focusing on outreach to the community. Since almost closing last year, this Mansfield church’s outreach to those in need has expanded to helping other churches feed the homeless and working poor and clothing people locally, regionally, nationally, and globally giving out over 55,000 pounds of clothing

Executive Producer and Director John Chester’s award-winning documentary will be shown at 7:00 p.m., on October 12, 2008, followed by a question and answer reception, at the Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church. When viewed in Baltimore, Harold A. Smith, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, says: “LOST IN WOONSOCKET revealed how small acts of compassion can change lives, even maybe yours. In this land of riches, there is a critical need for people to get involved—even in small ways such as mentoring or volunteering to teach a class—to change the world one person at a time.”

David A Arruda, pastor of Faith Fellowship UMC said that he and the congregation feel very strongly about reaching out to the needy and homeless, especially at this time. “With the economy as it is, oil, gas and food prices rising exponentially, you will be seeing many more homeless and with a new profile. The working poor are a growing group. Many are only steps away from homelessness. These are the families working 3 to 4 jobs to make ends meet. With rising fuel and living costs, the economy, and with depleted savings, they are just steps from homelessness. Your child’s school’s janitor, the teacher’s assistant, the sales associate at your favorite department store, the wait staff at the restaurant that you often visit. All it takes is a hospitalization even with the now limited health insurances, a job loss, or a sudden family death. The working poor are living from pay check to pay check, balancing family needs of food, shelter, and clothing with paying medical, heat and energy bills. Going without the basic needs is now a way of life for too many people.”

LOST IN WOONSOCKET is a story full of hope, kindness, and the painful reality of human frailty. It chronicles a group of filmmakers from Random 1, an A&E Network television series co-created in 2005 by John Chester and Andre Miller, as they began a bold humanitarian experiment roaming around the country looking for perfect strangers who needed help. What they didn’t expect was to stumble upon a tent in the woods outside of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, containing two men who had been missing from their families for 13 years.

It was a discovery with far-reaching implications that would prove to be one story for which they had no real control. The film goes way beyond what the TV series was permitted to show and explores the profound circumstances that brought this awe-inspiring journey to a surprising end.

The filmmakers are challenged to look beyond right and wrong and are forced to make decisions based upon consequences as they face once-in-a-lifetime decisions that could change lives forever.

The two men in the woods are Mark and Normand. Both are extreme addicts who have forged a strong bond of friendship. Both are about to be shocked by the power of kindness.

Up close and unflinching in its raw honesty, there are moments of pathos, humor, and grace. This beautifully shot documentary examines the rush people get from helping one another, the ceaseless struggle against addiction, and the belief that compassion still exists in modern society. According to John Chester: “You’ll never look at strangers the same way again.” I also believe the film captures a simple example of how we all might take part in changing the world…through individual involvement.”

At the conclusion of the film, Pastor David Arruda will host question and answer session. Faith Fellowship has arranged for a special appearance by some of the film’s star subjects. Norman and Pastor Brian Sousa will describe how we, as a community can facilitate getting involved in simple ways to help those on the long road to self sufficiency. Also the Mobile FISHES and LOAVES canteen truck and staff that makes daily visits to homeless sites will be there to answer questions.
Admission is free. Free will donations, will graciously be accepted. For more information and directions to the church call the church at (508) 339 - 6040

Mansfield church talks to community

BY GLORIA LaBOUNTY / SUN CHRONICLE STAFFFriday, February 22, 2008 2:16 PM EST
MANSFIELDIn its efforts to bring ministry into the community, members of Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church are hearing from the people who best know the needs.
In two meetings this week with community leaders and human service providers, Pastor David Arruda and several members of the congregation heard a range of ideas on what the church can do for the residents of the area, including seniors, youths, and families struggling financially.
Arruda said he would next gather with church members to assess the suggestions and determine what they could undertake more immediately and as a long-term goal."Some things may start right away," Arruda told the gathering. "I may be calling you and asking for help."The dozen people who attended the morning session suggested several directions the church could take.Debra Surprenant, assistant director of the Mansfield Council on Aging, said one of the greatest needs in the community is transportation to medical appointments in Boston and Providence for both seniors and non-seniors.Currently, she said, there is very little being provided, and now the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Transit Authority is planning cutbacks in public bus route services, which will worsen the situation.Lack of transportation notedThe lack of transportation opportunities, Surprenant said, is "limiting people to medical care in this general vicinity" when more specialized care may be available elsewhere.Diane Griffin of Mansfield, a member of Faith Fellowship church, said more affordable after-school programs also are needed, especially for youngsters at the vulnerable ages of 9 to 15. She suggested setting up a program that would draw in retired members of the community who may be willing to volunteer their time and share their skills and expertise with youngsters.She called the older segment of the community "a wonderful resource" that should be tapped.Cindy Phillips, Mansfield's community social worker, said the area needs more shelters for the homeless and more help for people who are one step away from becoming homeless, as well as support for people who have become unemployed yet have families to support and mortgages to pay.Yet those in attendance acknowledged that various organizations may already be filling some of the community's needs being described.Surprenant suggested that before embarking on any projects, the church members do a needs assessment to determine what is already being offered in the community.Arruda said that was the intent, and the community meetings were a first step.The congregation is trying to reach out into the community as part of a new approach to ministry.After its membership dwindled to about 20 regular worshippers, the congregation faced a decision last year on closing, and decided instead to stay open, but make changes in its organization, worship and ministry.Arruda called it "serving Christ by serving the community."The congregation already supports the local food pantry and soup kitchen, and operates its own clothing ministry called "Clothes to Go."The congregation has made minor alterations to the church's interior, but the limited parking and lack of accessibility make the building no longer suitable for the ministry the members have in mind, and they are now looking for a new location.If they build a new church, it will not look like a traditional one, Arruda said, but instead will be one based on "less mortar and more mission."GLORIA LaBOUNTY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at glabounty@thesunchronicle.com.

Struggling Mansfield church works to turn things around BY GLORIA LaBOUNTY / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Friday, February 15, 2008 3:48 PM EST
The Faith Fellowship Methodist Church in Mansfield. (Staff photo by MIKE GEORGE)MANSFIELD -- Less than a year ago, members of Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church faced a decision on closing or changing.They opted for change, and ever since have been moving through a transition that has transformed the way they worship and minister, and that has focused on looking outside the church instead of only within.They will take another step in that process next week with community meetings aimed at helping the congregation get more involved.On Tuesday, the congregation will host morning and evening gatherings at Jimmy's Pub Restaurant on North Main Street in Mansfield. About 200 invitations have been sent to community leaders, government officials and human service agencies in Mansfield and surrounding communities.Pastor David Arruda, who has been at the church since July, said the intent is to find out what needs are not being met in those towns, and what the church can do to help.

"It's an opportunity for the community to tell us what it needs, and an opportunity for us to tell the community that we are not the same as we were two years ago," Arruda said.He came to the Mansfield church as part of the "11th hour" church ministry he developed for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church and first implemented at a church in Maine before coming to Mansfield.A licensed local pastor in the denomination, but not an ordained minister, Arruda's role is to guide churches through transition."My ministry is to turn churches around," he said.The North Main Street church, which used to be known as Mansfield United Methodist until a few years ago, has been plagued with the same problem of declining membership that is facing other churches in various mainline Protestant denominations.A contributing factor, Arruda said, is the emphasis that churches had been placing on organization and structure rather than on the ministry of Jesus, an emphasis that did not resonate with people who want to make a difference but do not have the time to get totally involved and attend a lot of meetings.A year ago, fewer than 20 people were participating in the Mansfield church, he said, but now about 50 people regularly attend worship.The turnaround resulted from some major changes in the church's organizational structure, interior layout, and worship style. The worship area was converted by removing several rows of back pews and installing round tables and chairs where people can sit with family and friends. The communion rail also was removed to open the space between the pulpit and the pews, and a large screen and projector were installed.Arruda's style matches the space. He wears no clerical robe and speaks not from the pulpit, but in the midst of people, conducting more of a discussion rather than offering a sermon. He encourages people to attend services comfortably dressed and tries to create a relaxed atmosphere.The only aspect of a church that should be sacred, he said, is Jesus Christ."The rest is up for grabs," he said, including the style of worship, the committees, the structure, and even the building.The church building itself has become optional. Members have authorized a search for a new location and the eventual sale of the building if another one is found that is more conducive to today's ministry. They are actively looking for either a new church or an existing one, and would like to remain in Mansfield, but would consider a neighboring town such as Foxboro.One of the reasons for renaming the church from Mansfield United Methodist to Faith Fellowship, he said, was to prepare it for a possible relocation that might take it to another community."Anything is possible," Arruda said. "Nothing is set in stone."The current church, which was built in 1878, has great character and lots of history, Arruda said, but no longer meets the needs of the congregation. Set close to the sidewalk and wedged between two other structures, the church is small, lacks parking, and cannot be made handicapped accessible because of the limited space on the property."We can keep it as a museum and not for ministry, or we can put ministry first and the museum second," Arruda said.They have opted for ministry, and for reaching out into the community. Members already sponsor a clothing center at the church, and participate in and support the local food pantry, Our Daily Bread, and the Tuesday evening Food 'n' Friends soup kitchen sponsored by the Attleboro Area Council of Churches and held at the nearby First Baptist Church.Now they are looking to get more involved, and will be looking to the community to show them the way."We will try to fulfill the needs," Arruda said. "We may not be able to meet every need, but if we meet one, we will be doing more than we are doing today."The meetings Tuesday will be held at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the restaurant at 141 North Main St.For more information about Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church, call 508-339-6040.GLORIA LaBOUNTY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at glabounty@thesunchronicle.com

Kosovo! 1060 Feet! A Church! Mansfield Massachusetts!

What do all of these have in common? Believe it or not Shoes!! The news is filled with stories and pictures from Iraq and Afghanistan. But for nearly ten years we’ve been fighting another war. US troops serving thousands of miles from home for nearly ten years somehow we almost never hear about, for the most part we have forgotten them. However what is even sadder are the people of Kosovo that we have forgotten. Good news is that our service men and women haven’t forgotten the people of Kosovo especially the children

The YMCA of Norton connected local people with men and woman serving in Kosovo, through Adopt a Soldier Project, which connected Kim Whynacht of Norton Massachusetts and Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church of Mansfield Massachusetts. The idea of this project was to “help the service men and women deal with the separation by giving support to the soldiers and their families.” However! The soldiers had other ideas.

Kim Whynacht and Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church (FFUMC) adopted SPC Guido Alberoni Fermin, and family of Haverhill, MA. In addition to sending support items to Alberorni, Kim and the Church sent Birthday, & Christmas gifts to his four children and his wife, and sent out packages to his children on Holidays, (like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter etc). SPC Guido Alberoni Fermin is serving with Task Force PATRIOT

Things changed in the end of May, Alberoni emailed Kim “that the children of the village he was in needed shoes.” Kim rallied the Church in the first week of June and started to collect shoes for the children in Kosovo. Seeing that the need of the children overseas was urgent, Kim contacted the office of Rev. Gary Shaw. District Superintend of the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts (RISEM) District of the United Methodist Church. The RISEM District office contacted the seventy United Methodist Churches in the district to help collect some shoes.

Shoes started to come in from all over the district, from Northern Rhode Island to the tip of Cape Cod. By the middle of July the first shipment of shoes was mailed. For the next two months the flow of shoes coming in never seemed to stop. In addition to the shoes and socks, the church also sent a couple of boxes of school supplies to the children, (the YMCA collected the supplies and sent them). Mid September was the cut off for collecting shoes, when the last box was packed and mailed the church had collected and mailed 530 pairs of shoes to one village in Kosovo. That’s 1060 Happy FEET!!!.

Reaching out is not hard, It just takes one step, “the first step”.

This project shows how simple we can change the world, make an impact, and most importantly share Jesus and His Teachings with the world.

For more information go to the following websites;
Task Force PATRIOT http://kfor8.com/

The Village in Kosovo http://afreditaschool.webeden.co.uk/
Faith Fellowship UMC http://www.gbgm-umc.org/faithfellowshipumc
11th Hour Church Ministry http://11thhourchurchturnaround.blogspot.com/
UMC of New England http://www.neumc.org/

A Christmas Pondering from Pastor David

A Christmas Pondering from Pastor David

Over the next few days we will be gathering with Family, Friends, Loved Ones, Neighbors and Strangers for the Christmas Holiday, Wishing everyone we meet a “Merry Christmas”.

But what is a “Merry Christmas”?

Is it just that time of year that we boost the Nation’s economy? Or perhaps giving expensive gifts to family and friends, trying to make up for the time we haven’t spent with them?

Is it just that time of year that we remember our childhoods? Or perhaps trying to fix our childhood wrongs?

Is it just that time of year that we are kind to strangers? Or perhaps justifying the times we did not the notice the stranger?

Is it just that time of year that we send food to the hungry? Or perhaps feeling guilty for all the times we never thought about their hunger?

Is it just that time of year that we remember a poor child in a make shift bed on a cold night? Or perhaps another time we forget about the homeless and fatherless children of the world?

Merry Christmas is really about, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
It is that time of year that we realize that we too are Homeless and Fatherless, Hungry, a Stranger, a Sinner, and Forgotten. For without that Great Expensive Gift, “a poor child in a make shift bed on a cold night” there is no Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Jesus is Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!
Pastor David A Arruda