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Suds And Souls
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Oftentimes, residents of large cities have challenges getting around town. That inspired one United Methodist to take his message to the streets, and into a location lots of folks frequent, the neighborhood Laundromat. This unusual ministry in Texas is growing in popularity, and offering more than just physical cleansing. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
It’s a church without a steeple. But for the time it takes to wash and dry, there’s a captive audience.
Ron McLeroy / Laundromat Ministry: “OK, we’re going to pass out some washing soap for the Laundromat.”
When Ron McLeroy drops in at Laundromats in Arlington, Texas, he’s bearing gifts.
Arlington is the largest city in the country without any public transportation. Tens of thousands of immigrants have problems getting around. United Methodists at Arlington Urban Ministries are taking their message to the streets, reaching those who don’t have a way to get to church.
Ron McLeroy: “Those are the ones that Christ talks about that the church is to reach, the poor and the needy. And I truly believe that we have to go outside the church to do that.”
The street ministry focuses on Laundromats because hundreds of people come to them every day to wash their clothes. Some locations are also gathering places for the homeless.
Ron McLeroy: “I think it’s important that we make people feel wanted.”
But there’s more to the program than gifts.
Ron McLeroy (natsound): “Once upon a time there was a prophet named Jonah …”
McLeroy also holds three-minute Sunday school classes. And his Laundromat liaisons often get surprised reactions.
Yolanda Mathews / Arlington Resident: “Twenty minutes before that, there were people in here wanting money for food. And then right after that, someone comes in and hands out food.”
And Ron McLeroy figures Laundromats are not just places to clean clothes. They can also be places to cleanse the soul.
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Arlington Urban Ministries also offers English language classes to immigrants, and has a weekend Sidewalk Sunday school they offer at an apartment complex. For more information on this program, contact the Web site:
http://www.trinityumcarlington.org/urban_Min.htm