Neighbourhood L!fe… : block parties, people talking on the street, house parties, Feasting, Brain storming sessions with white boards, living room groups, all-age activities, raking, trash pick-up etc, associations e.g. biking, hockey, walking, ….
Shalom
Well-beingGod’s Dream
HospitalityFriendshipJusticePeace
Reconciliation
Party
Generosity
Welcome
Neighbourhood
Village
Place
Local
StreetCo-operation
WalkableCultivating Communities of Shalom in Neighbourhoods…through networking and information.
Who are we? We are you!......
if you too are taking responsibility with others in your neighbourhood for your neighbourhood! You were made for this!By all accounts there is a growing movement of people like you who are taking responsibility for the “well-being” of their neighbourhoods.
Our hope as
Neighbourhood L!fe is to simply encourage and stay near the center of this movement. Specifically we are seeking to learn from others and share what we have learned as well. Out of this interest in learning from others and an excitement about this rich local way of living, we want to connect with others across the county, city and regions for support, resourcing and for making connections with others who might join us from our neighbourhoods.
So you are probably wondering what we are seeing take place in neighbourhoods...
1. People or often their households are taking a fresh look at their neighbourhoods as a place that they are “called” to care for. They are simple re-engaging their concern for the people and the places of their neighbourhood with all their “heart, soul, mind and strength.”
2. They are connecting and forming a community of friendship with other like-minded people in their neighbourhoods. Many times these neighbourhood relationships become some of the most important friendships and support networks an individual or family may have.3. Out of these local relationships the group sets out to participate in those activities that contribute to the God initiated well-being or Shalom of the neighbourhood. Hospitality is often at the heart of these activities whether they are sharing in suffering of another around a kitchen table or a celebration with their whole street at a block party. I have been so cared for since my brother's suicide by loving neighbours who have shared in my suffering & provided God's tangible grace. 4. Spiritual formation occurs in the context of everyday life lived in community.Colossians 1This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory.
It's that simple.
That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.
... means different things to different people.
