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.