Questions to consider this week: How were you being a good neighbor to those in your Arborlawn community pre-COVID? How can you be a good neighbor to your Arborlawn community now?
As you get to know the other Arborlawn folks who live in your neighborhood, you may notice that there are folks who worship in the sanctuary and folks who worship in Rooted; there may be people who hold some differing political views from you; you may not all agree on what the absolute best flavor of ice cream is (which is Blue Bell Mint Chocolate Chip, by the way)… we are asking you to continue to be in relationship with everyone anyway.
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-7, NRSV)
In your small AUMC neighborhood groups, there will be some diversity of thought present, but how much better off are you then when it comes to getting to know your other neighbors! If you were all exactly alike, then you as a group probably would not be able to reach as many of your other neighbors.
Being a good neighbor to your AUMC neighbors means focusing on the thing that drew you all together in the first place - your relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the one who taught us how to be good neighbors, after all! In your neighborhood group, you don’t all have to worship the same way or believe exactly the same things in order to love each other well. Perhaps you can consider asking someone who worships in a different space than you on Sunday morning what they most enjoy about the service, or what that worship style teaches them about God.
Each of you have your own unique stories about what has shaped you into the person you are today, you have different stories of how you found yourself at Arborlawn UMC, but at your core, you are each followers of Jesus. You are each called to be loving and compassionate neighbors who don’t get caught up in the small differences, but rather celebrate one another in their uniqueness. Your love of Jesus will serve you well as you prepare to venture out into the rest of your neighborhood.
Prayer:
Jesus, the rock on which we stand, our greatest common ground--increase our capacity for love. Make it so that we are quick to celebrate each other’s quirks and personhood, and slow to grow frustrated with differences of opinion. As we, Arborlawn neighbors, are preparing to engage with our other neighbors, give us the courage to step outside of our comfort zones, and give us peace of mind in knowing that this is the work you call us to do. Amen.
Written By: Jenny Spidell