The Art of Neighboring
Once upon a time, people knew their neighbors. They talked to them, had cook-outs with them, and went to church with them. In our time of unprecedented mobility and increasing isolationism, it’s hard to make lasting connections with those who live right outside our front door. We have hundreds of “friends” through online social networking, but we often don’t even know the full name of the person who lives right next door.
Here are 10 easy steps to meet your neighbors and host a successful block party
1. Sign up with your house name and email address
2. Pick a date between July 1 and Labor Day and let us know what date you chose
3. Pick up a “HOST/HOSTESS KIT BASKET.” This basket includes goodies for 25 people:
A gift card for $200 worth of food from Mission BBQ for up to 25 people (let us know if you need additional assistance)
Colorful paper goods
Hard copy invitations with space to fill in your information
Sparklers
Games are available to check out from CPC – CHECK IN WITH THE BLOCK PARTY TEAM
4. Put together your invitation list. If you don’t have names, identify the street and house numbers to drop off invitations
5.Plan the menu – (we provide the BBQ for 25) you decide the rest
6. Distribute your invitations
7. Plan all activities you would like for your picnic. Games are available to borrow from CPC. If you would like CPC to rent a bounce house, we can make an effort to do that.
8. Enjoy your picnic!
9. Take fun photos and share with sarah@cpceco.org for our internal communications.
10. Share your experiences with Pastor Rob. He would love to hear all the awesome stories that come out of your block party. Please remember to share with him rob@cpceco.org or call the church office at 703-830-0098.
A few questions that you might have:
What if you decide to have a block party and go hand deliver each of the flyers to your neighbor’s homes. One of them asks you, “Why are you having a block party?”
Your answer could be: “We want the neighborhood to be more connected, which can happen if we get to know each other. We also know that as we all get to know each other; it makes the neighborhood safer.” Or if a family has recently moved into the neighborhood you could add that the block party helps us to get also get to know our new neighbors.
Another question may be: “I’m just one person what if I don’t have the resources to plan and host a block party for my neighbors?”
Two suggested answers: First, think of another neighbor you know well enough to approach and invite to co-host and plan the event with you. A second suggestion is to ask the Block Party Team for names of other folks in the church who could partner with you to host a block party.
More Questions – or need more information to decide? Contact the church office at 703-830-0098.
What is the Purpose of getting to know your Neighbors? Find out MORE.
