Neighboring While Social Distancing

Art of Neighboring Ideas

Dave Runyon, co-author of The Art of Neighboring, who led a workshop on Neighboring at our 2019 Diocesan Convention has compiled a list of suggestions how churches can practice the neighboring during the coronavirus pandemic.

What are your parishioners and churches doing?

Share what you or your church are doing to reach your neighbors. 

 

Neighborhood “To-Go” Hot Dog Dinner
Reed's hot dog dinner

Shannon Reed, Director of Children’s Ministries at St. Paul’s, Summerville, and her husband, Colin, who is a postulant, held a “to-go” hot dog plate cookout last weekend for their neighborhood. Shannon writes, “All sides were prepackaged, and we practiced all the distancing rules and wore gloves. We put signs out on Saturday morning and folks trickled over. We met many new neighbors and friends. We gave out 29 plates of food! Folks enjoyed having dinner prepared for them and exchanging smiles and words of encouragement. Next we’ll be passing out pizzas!”


Grocery Shopping, Prescription Pick-up and Greeting Card Ministry

Sheltering in place and having limited personal contact, has been especially difficult for older members of our parishes. Staff members of the Parish Church of St Helena, Beaufort have been making personal phone calls to check on their older members and offering to deliver groceries and prescriptions to their doors. Those that minister to the nursing homes are staying in touch with residents by collecting greeting cards and sending handwritten notes to each resident, (even those that are not members of the church) in order to share God’s love and remind them that they are not alone during this time of isolation.



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