We Are Neighbors

Several residents near my hometown reported neighborhood gatherings, acts of service, and other “acts of neighboring” to our website during  Missouri Good Neighbor Week. Eight residents in my part of the county were nominated as the “most engaged neighbor” in this county. These nominees did things like mow yards of elderly neighbors, take care of a sick neighbor, fix a neighbor’s car and even host an annual neighborhood cookout. Those actions remind me of the actions that make a neighbor “engaged.” An engaged neighbor understands the importance of helping when needed, sharing a cup of sugar when asked, and happily lending a solid back or a listening ear. An engaged neighbor is willing to share their backyard firepit with the nearby residents. An engaged neighbor is willing to share a conversation, laugh or a tear over a freshly brewed cup of coffee (or tea). An engaged neighbor finds joy investing in those around them and takes the time to learn and use the names of those t

If you live in Republic and are in the Owen Park Neighborhood Association, I hope you received your letter and saw we are doing a food drive for neighbor week.  Here are the details. Donation Drive for People Helping People Help our neighbors with a donation (check or items) to People Helping People . WHY:  Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 4) reminds us that there is no better way to be a good neighbor than to be of service to our neighbors! WHO:  This appeal goes to Owen Park Neighborhood Association residents, like you! People Helping People (PHP) is a Republic 501c3 founded in 2003 . Their goal is to offer a hand up to those suffering economic difficulties. WHAT:  People Helping People has the greatest need for canned fruit, pasta sauce, peanut butter, Mac and cheese, condensed soup, and new socks . At PHP, a family gets one food box per month. In each box is cereal, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, canned fruit, spaghetti, pasta sauce, canned beans, green beans, corn, peas, Ma

  We live in a culture where we are always in a hurry and we hide behind phones and garage doors that cause us to avoid neighborly interaction.  It is hard to love your neighbor if you do not see your neighbor.  We must see our neighbors. We must see their value. My neighbors have successes and they have hurts. My neighbors are not a bunch of faceless nobodies. They are made in the image of God (Imago Deo) and they have names. Every person in my neighborhood has been marked by the finger of God and made in God's image (Imago Dei). They have tremendous value. But they also have needs. Francis Schaeffer (author) refers to humans as "glorious ruins." According to Chris and Elizabeth McKinney in their book, "Placed for a Purpose," when we forget our neighbors are glorious ruins it is easy to do one of three things:  1. When we see only glory, we envy them. 2. When we see only ruin, we judge them. 3. When we do not see them at all, we ignore them. What do you

  The estimate is that about 10 percent of Christians are gifted for evangelism. That word brings to mind a dynamic person speaking to large crowds about Jesus and giving an invitation for salvation. But the truth is there are many approaches to and strategies for evangelism.  Servant evangelism is sharing God’s love by simply serving others in practical ways without asking for or expecting anything in return. (Like showing love and kindness to a neighbor in practical ways!) I have been reading "Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren. The book is all about servant evangelism. Sjogren says servant evangelism "connects people to people in a natural, easy, low- risk, high grace way." That means it is a perfect fit for neighbors! If you want some ideas, Steve offers a list of 94 servant evangelism ideas on this website . By definition, the focus of servant evangelism is doing acts of kindness for anyone and everyone.  “As we have an opportunity, let us do good to all

  Years ago, I spent three long years as president of a Homeowners Association. In addition to budget challenges and non-payment of dues from residents, some neighbors would call and want me to talk to their neighbor about an issue, like a barking dog. I navigated those treacherous waters as best I could, but if I got to do it over, I would do it differently now. For starters, I would redirect the HOA toward social activities and events that would build social connections among neighbors. Socially connected neighbors are more likely to work out their own problems! A lot has changed in neighborhoods over the last two to three decades. Psychologists Jacqueline Olds and Richard S. Schwartz documented in their 2016 book, "The Lonely American," how the word "neighborliness" has shifted. The midcentury meaning was actively reaching out to, caring for, and involving oneself in neighbors' lives. Now the modern norm is keeping one's distance, keeping noise and

  National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28 and we have a fun way that you can help spread the word while also participating in a growing American fad that can aid in mindfulness! My friends at the Hopeful Neighborhood have designed postcards you can use to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day. ( Download PDF of postcard here to print at home ). This holiday was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, but it is often overlooked. I’m part of a coalition working to develop strategies and partnerships across the United States to celebrate and promote this national holiday! The theme this year is “state with hello.” With our neighbors, the goal is always to have strong and positive relationships, but if you do not know your neighbors, we are breaking them down into simple steps. And it starts with hello.  But that is the starting point, not the finish line. It takes more than a smile, a wave, and a hello to be an engaged neighbor with positive neighbor relationships. The Ho

  An official announcement will be mailed soon about formation of the Owen Park Neighborhood Association in Republic, Mo. This is a volunteer group (no rules imposed, no dues) focused on social revitalization in the subdivisions of Moonlight Meadows, Rankin Acres, Stoney Creek Estates, Century Place, and Iron Gate in Republic. These are the subdivisions that adjoin Owen Park. This new association is a “pilot project” right now with funding from University of Missouri Extension and the Greene County Commission. The hope is that additional neighborhood associations will be created across Republic to organize neighborhood events, address concerns, social revitalization, and improve communication with the city.  This approach is not unique to Republic. Hundreds of communities across the United States (including Springfield) have begun creating neighborhood associations. Based on what other neighborhoods around the country have been able to organize, possible future Owen Park Neighborhood A

Being neighborly is something of a lost art in America. In the 1970s, according to the Pew Research Center, more than 60 percent of people socialized with their neighbors at least monthly. Today, that number has shrunk to about 35 percent. According to research released last year, a third of Americans don't have any interactions with their neighbors at all. Another study says half of us cannot name one of the people who share our buildings and blocks. There are lots of reasons for this shift, from development patterns that make it harder to connect with people nearby to technologies that make it easier to connect with people far away.  The combined effect, says Marc Dunkelman of Brown University, is significant. A couple of years ago, Dunkelman wrote "The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community." He is certain that it has profoundly affected politics, economics, and innovation. "The lack of neighborly connections matters greatly," Dunkelman

When the first meeting of the National Neighboring Collaboration was held on June 17, 2022 via Zoom, the goal for 2022 was simple: determine how might we collaborate to launch National Good Neighbor Day September 28, 2022. People on the call came from across the United States and represented a variety of organizations: Jennifer Prophete - Hopeful Neighborhood Project; Sara Johnson - Hopeful Neighborhood Project Coach - St. Louis; Tim DeTellis - New Missions - Good Neighbor URL; David Burton - University of Missouri Extension - Neighboring 101 - Springfield; Paula Jensen - Dakota Resources - a nonprofit building the capacity of rural communities; Judy Larson - Placemakers - asset-based placemaking - Lemmon SD; Adam Barlow-Thompson - Neighboring Movement in Wichita KS; Catherine Johnson - Neighboring Movement in Wichita KS - asset mapping - faith-based training; Elizabeth Ramirez - Neighboring Movement - Community Animator Network Program; and Eric Smith - Central State University in Ohi

  We have a simple neighboring outreach project planned for Sept. 28 to reach the immediate neighbors of Ridgecrest and all that is missing is you! Did you know that Ridgecrest Baptist Church has 46 neighbors? Did you also know that National Good Neighbor Day is Wednesday, Sept. 28? For the first time, we are going to do a neighbor outreach on behalf of the church, and here is the plan (feedback still accepted):  I invite deacon wives to prepare baked goods and deliver them to the church welcome desk no later than 1 p.m. on Sept. 28. These baked items will be cut and divided among 46 boxes (1 box per neighbor) for variety.  We will need an assembly team to assemble the boxes in the afternoon of Sept. 28. Work begins at 1:30 (and it may include a trip to the grocery store if we are short on baked items).  F or deacons making deliveries, I will have Missouri Good Neighbor Week t-shirts available for you to wear if you would like them.  W e need a team of two that can make deliveries