Outreach Sunday 2011
Below are some things to keep in mind when serving your neighbors on Outreach Sunday.
•Use this day as an opportunity to get to know your neighbors on a deeper level; engage them in conversation and really get to know who they are.
•Be friendly and use open body language. Have fun!
•Be respectful of their time and personal space. Don’t force a conversation if they are busy.
•If you are just getting to know this neighbor, know that you may need to wait to initiate a spiritual conversation until a later time. “They will care what you know when they know that you care.”
•Try to avoid controversial topics, such as politics, which may be divisive rather than uplifting.
•Don’t be judgmental about your neighbor’s appearance, speech or lifestyle, and be aware that to truly build relationships with some neighbors, you will have to leave your comfort zone.
•Prior to our Outreach Sunday, be looking for opportunities to interact with your neighbors.
•Commit to following up with your neighbors to continue in building these relationships. They will not be created all in one day, but will take time.
Below are some ideas on how to serve and build relationships with the people in your neighborhood. This list is just to get your brain turning so you can get creative!
•Celebrate Fall and throw a block party; if possible involve some kind of entertainment and food.
•Have a dessert night or ice cream social.
•Host a Chili Cook-Off in your front yard and have neighbors swap recipes.
•Bake cookies, bread, or some other treat to take to your neighbors.
•Help someone in need in your neighborhood with lawn or house work. Your Home Owners Association may be aware of someone needing help.
•Invite a family over for dinner that you don’t know very well.
•Create a neighborhood directory with people’s contact information in case of emergencies; hand it out and spend time with people.
•Watch a football game together.
•Have a neighborhood cleanup day and work together to pick up trash and debris.
•Have a game night or a bunko tournament – maybe even have prizes if possible.
•Have your own neighborhood clothes, toy, or food drive for a local organization. Have a central drop off zone so neighbors can meet one another in the process.
•If there is a local business or fire station in your neighborhood, take some kind of treat to the people working there.
