Neighbourhood Christian Church

Are you participating in your neighbourhood Christian church?

Are you even aware of it?

It really is a thing of beauty when you begin to see it...

Perhaps God is calling you to plant/recognize that it already exists.

neighbourhood love

With my mom's cancer & death recently, so many of our friends have blessed us with a meal, or a dessert, or a kind word, or a hug at just the right time.

I was talking with my 9 year-old son about this, saying it was Christ's love in action.

He commented that is was actually, 'neighbourhood love in action,' as not everyone who does kind & loving things knows Christ yet.

I was amazed at his wisdom at such a tender, young age.

Jesus said to love your neighbour, but nothing about the guy who lives two doors down.

Does Jesus endorse cocooning?

Why not reach out - he won't eat you.

Intro to Neighbourhood Life!

There is a growing movement of people who are recognizing their responsibility for their neighbours and neighbourhoods and are doing something about it.

One such person commented, "when I began to pay attention to my neighbourhood, I was struck by my growing affection for my neighbours, I really care for them!"

Over the past several years we have been watching and listening to what has been taking place and we have recognized a pattern that seems to be common to those who are still enjoying this journey into, "loving their neighbours."

First, they have decided that their own neighbourhood matters to God and so they have almost unconsciously become newly aware of the space that is their neighbourhood. Often this has been a relatively small area, perhaps as small as their cul-de-sac or as large and their community league area. With this they have then began to pay attention to the life of their neighbourhood, often by just staying local and watching the neighbourhood and listening to their neighbours.

Second, they have discovered that their are other like-minded neighbours who are also taking responsibility for their neighbourhoods. This common interest in loving their neighbourhood, is the genesis of a small community of friendship and support. This new community is as much about "being" as it is about "doing". In a real way these people are simply making visible and alternative way of living in a culture dominated by disregard for neighbour well-being. They are a welcoming and hospitable group, often typified by celebration and party.

Third, when the party is over, this community has often discovered the joys and pains of their neighbours and their neighbourhood. Now sharing in the life and suffering of their neighbours together, they begin to walk alongside asking, "what is God's dream and plan here and how might we participate in it?"

Finally, they have discovered that this journey is challenging and that some support would be nice. This is where we have attempted to be helpful putting these communities of well-being in touch with one another and compiling their stories and learning for sharing. We at Neighbourhood Life have summarized this in a statement, saying that we are about, "cultivating communities of shalom in neighbourhoods."

We would love to help you love your neighbour/hood,

Howard
for Neighbourhood Life!

How to be a neighbourly student...

Treat your neighbours now like your neighbours back home.

Get to know your current neighbourhood.

Party with care.

Volunteer or work in your neighbourhood.

Live local.

Do you have a campaign to end loneliness in your neighbourhood?

Why not?

Loneliness has been described as 'the subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship.'

Many would fall into this category, perhaps even yourself.

Loneliness is bad for your health, related to depression, heart disease & can even be traced to some Alzheimer's onset.

What can a person do?

Bake a rhubarb crisp for a family from another country.

Invite some friends over & begin a discussion as to how to partner together to make difference for the lonely on your street or in your neighbourhood.

Offer to mow an elderly neighbours lawn.

The list could and should go on & on...

The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved. Mother Teresa

Neighbourhood L!fe

There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit...Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses. CS Lewis