 The St Mungo Mission Project
The St Mungo Project of First Presbyterian utilizes the former manse, now known as the Maranatha House. It began in November, 2004.
The project is named after the patron saint of Glasgow, Scotland who lived during the 7th century. Honored as the Apostle to Northwestern England and Southwestern Scotland, Kentigern Mungo became known for his compassion, healing, aiding women in domestic crisis, and families in general. During the reformation in Scotland, the cathedral of St Mungo was left untouched and remains to this day an active congregation in the same mission field as the honored Mungo.
Along the same lines, FPCS opened the Maranatha House up to be an extension of the hospitality and sanctuary that the red doors of the Church symbolize. After members of the congregation went out into the community, talked with people and community leaders, and created a community needs assessment, the House was opened and the church formed the first Narcotics Anonymous group with the help of a substance abuse counselor from Seymour. The House has also become a place for growth of the Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-anon groups who have greatly enjoyed the ‘homey’ feel of the House.
The St Mungo Project is supported by the congregation by the Pastor being invited to speak on issues of spirituality, elders acting as advocates for support group members who reside in a group home and wish to attend church functions, and members praying and checking in with the group members who attend services.
In addition to offering support group space, the congregation also constructed a garden labyrinth in the Church yard as a part of the mission project. Many people speak of the role spirituality plays in their healing process, and the labyrinth, which is a walking prayer, aids in the healing process. To date, many people from the community, many unknown to the congregation, can be found walking the labyrinth in the early part of the day or in the evenings. In general, the House and grounds are a place of hospitality and healing, and is open to the community for these purposes and to the PC(USA) for retreats and meeting space.
Our hope is one day to have a resident substance abuse counselor and a Marriage and Family therapist seeing clients at the House. We currently are in partnership with Samaritan Behavioral Health Care who provides addiction counseling at the House.
Our hope is the St Mungo Project continues to addresses the Scott Co. substance abuse and drug related crimes, the high rate of domestic violence and teenage pregnancies, and the related economic needs of the community until it is no longer needed.
If you wish to learn more about the various support groups meeting at the Church or the House, or would like to be part of the St Mungo Mission, please fill out the form below. | 
