Thursday, October 9, 2008

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

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