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!