Haley Jones, Outreach Ministar at First UMC Downtown Little Rock, pours a cup of coffee at the First Cup Community Cafe. || Photo provided by First UMC Little Rock
Where all are welcome FUMC Downtown Little Rock opens cafe to serve community By Sam Pierce Featured Contributor, @sjamespierce
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hen Haley Jones first arrived at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock more than a year ago, she felt like she didn’t have the appropriate space to meet the needs of the community. “Our neighbors would come in and share the problems they may be facing, such as utilities or transportation, but it would be in and out, and see you later,” Jones said. “We wanted to slow down the process and get to know people, and we couldn’t do that upstairs in my office. “Now, people come in downstairs, and they spread out in the café, and I can make the rounds and check in on people and find out who they are. This café has allowed us to have more of a community feel, and build better relationships, instead of a big scary red building.” Jones, who serves as the pastor of community engagement for FUMC, said the church can assist with utilities for those in need, despite only having a certain amount of money. They can also help with birth certificates, prescriptions and the café offers coffee
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