immanuelbrookfield.org

On Halloween evening, accomplish the unexpected as you go out trick-or-treating – by giving treats to your neighbors instead.

Go house to house, offering candies, snacks, or candles attached to a ribbon and a note. On your note say something like, “It’s no trick! We’re your neighbors, and we’d like to get to know you!” Include your name, address, e-mail, and phone number if you wish.

Jot down the addresses of the houses where you trick or treat, and stop by during the following week to say hello.

Helpful Hint: You’ll discover that giving treats softens hearts. If you ask your neighbors if they have any needs you can pray for, many will respond positively. Use sensitivity in deciding when to ask. If you do ask, take time to jot down prayer requests, along with names, addresses, and, if they’re willing to share, phone numbers. Ask permission to share these requests with others if you plan on doing so, and also be sure to ask if you can contact them for updates.

Follow-up prayers, notes of encouragement, and phone calls can go a long way in developing deep relationships with your neighbors. Don’t forget to follow up!

-          From the book, Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach by Group Publishing, 2007.

Note: Today’s Neighborhood Outreach column points out that being stewards of all God has given you can be extended outside the church building as well, as you use your financial resources to purchase Halloween “bait” to build relationships with your neighbors. You can also give of your time by praying for their needs. Perhaps God can also use some of the other resources he has given you, such as your abilities, to meet some of those needs (i.e. doing a home repair for a family whose usual “handyperson” has just had surgery).- Lisa Jaeger