A neighbour in need

Here is a startling post from our friend Andy at Project417, about an encounter that hits really close to home for us who attend MCBC or live in Mississauga.

It begs the question: Are our suburban churches being good, caring neighbours to the people and the community around us? Do we even know who our neighbours are?

Homelessness moves to the suburbs

Happy new year, everyone! Yes, we are still alive here at more than good intentions.

It seems that the suburbs of Toronto need to be wakened to the growing problem of homelessness. While there are no easy answers and we may be rather naïve about the issues underlying the problem, let’s resolve this year to begin working and dreaming together ways of alleviating homelessness in our cities.

In the meantime, here’s an article for you to read: “York region hit by hidden problem“.

We’d love to hear from you about your ideas of how we can begin to tackle the growing poverty amongst our neighbours and friends. Ideas fantastic and simple are all welcome… all we want is for our brain juices to start flowing for the common good!

exploring the neighbourhood

This Fall’s small group is going to check Mississauga out! We’re hitting the Dixie/Bloor area first, on September 27th. It’s primarily an observational affair, but I’m sure we’ll be throwing some prayer in somewhere (thus a prayer walk). If you are interested in joining us, please let us know and comment! We’ll try to post our schedule of neighbourhoods in the small group section, so please keep your eyes pealed!

Below are the questions on our list… feel free to read, use, distribute, blog, mass spam people with it if you think it helps!

-:-:-:-

Get to Know the Neighbourhood!
Recommended duration: Minimum of 3 hours

Name/location of the neighbourhood: ________________________________________
Here is a list of questions to ask yourself as you explore the neighbourhood that you’re in:
Feel free to jot down responses on the back to share with others.

The Senses
1. What do you see? Smell? Hear? Touch? Taste?
2. How do you feel in this neighbourhood?

The People
3. What kinds of people do you see? (watch for the homeless, poor/rich, singles/couples, families, babies, children, youth, elderly, people with disabilities…)
4. Do you know anyone who lives here?
5. In your opinion, are the people approachable?

Transportation
6. What types of vehicles do you see?
7. How many buses and bus stops can you spot?
8. What are the road conditions like?

Housing and Living Space
9. What kinds of housing are available?
10. How much are shelters in this area (look for sales signs or estimate)?
11. Are there any parks in the area?
12. Does it seem like a healthy space to be in, in terms of the environmental conditions?

Retail
13. What types of stores do you see?
14. What budgets of customers do the stores tailor to?
15. Would you, your friends and family shop in this area? Why or why not?

Religion
16. How many places of worship do you see? What kinds?
17. What do people “worship” here?
18. How do you see Christ in this neighbourhood?
19. What’s the Christian presence like here?

Other
20. What distinctive features are located in this area?
21. What other general impressions do you have of this neighbourhood?
22. Would you live, work, worship, or hang out in this area?

*May Sanctuary be credited for the idea of the Street Orientation and some of the content of these questions. Much kudos!

the suburban christian and other blogs

I’m a big fan of Al Hsu’s blog The Suburban Christian. It’s insightful and challenging for any suburban-dwelling believers.

Some other great missional/justice blogs I’ve encountered so far (but should really put on my RSS feed):

• Empire Remixed
• Jamie Arpin-Ricci’s A Living Alternative
• Mark Priddy’s Moving into the Neighbourhood
• Matt Adair’s Missio Dei Suburbia
• Todd Hiestand’s Missional Living in Suburban America

Big thanks to Al Hsu and Yu-Ling for pointing these out. If you know of any other missional- or justice-minded blogs, please post away!