In many communities, barriers of some kind separate people. We allow barriers of race, culture, education, economics, religion and many other things to divide us. Jonesboro First United Methodist Church happens to be on one side of the railroad tracks and Keystone Community Apartments on the other. The people from the Keystone Community Apartments would come to the church only to meet a physical need like food, or for finances, rarely, considering Jonesboro FUMC as a place for worship. Unfortunately, some people within the church were content with this. Fear in my opinion, plays a large part in keeping the two groups separated. Through building relationships, and working along side each other the two groups can become community and Jonesboro FUMC will be a community church. Christianity with the power of God is able to draw people together in spite of the barriers that exist. When the church is truly being the church and living out her calling, she reflects the kingdom of God. This project incorporates tools of reframing to aid in the two groups becoming community, as found in Donald Capps' book Reframing: A New Method in Pastoral Care. Also assisting in the transformation process for this project as well as long term is the use of educational/training events around cultural diversity and providing resources for empowering the people of the Keystone Community. The interventions involve both groups working together in work projects, children events, and a food cooperative for the Keystone Community. The evaluative process consists of survey questions to Jonesboro FUMC and Keystone Apartment residents.
