I’ll never forget the day my husband and I moved into our dream home. We were excited at the prospect of raising our young family in a community dotted with picket fences and swing sets. While we were taking a break from the rigors of unpacking, we heard a knock on the door. Standing on our doorstep was a couple with very perturbed expressions on their faces. They proceeded to give us a lecture on controlling our pet; it seemed our elderly golden retriever had wandered into their yard and left a little “present.” Not only did they not welcome us with open arms, but the man stormed off leaving a crushed cigarette butt in his wake. There was no “welcome to the neighborhood” and no homemade chocolate chip cookies
. . . just some sour grapes.

Thankfully, the other families on our street were much friendlier. That experience left a lasting impression, so when it came time for me to welcome other newcomers, I was prepared.

The Importance of Connecting

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 14 percent of us move from one neighborhood to another each year. With migration rates like that, it can be tough to bond with our neighbors. But getting to know those alongside us is crucial. Not only will our neighborhoods be safer, they’ll also be more fun! Beyond the practical implications, being a Christian comes with certain responsibilities; and one of them is to love one another. Leviticus 19:18 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Befriending a frazzled newcomer is a great way to show Christian love.

Moving can be stressful. Getting to know the lay of the land, changing schools, finding a new church home, and learning about essential services can be frustrating and downright traumatic. Nobody knows that better than Pam Matzke, who has moved her large family nine times. She appreciates how a friendly neighbor can help ease “transition trauma” quickly. “It can be something as simple as coming over during the move to say hello or going out of your way to be nice, she says. “When we first moved to Montevideo, it seemed like every neighbor invited us to a different church. It was confusing, but sweet!”

Why Bother?

Of course, the goal for a Christian is to build relationships with those who may not know Christ. Christians have a duty to share our faith with others. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

Jean Kroll takes that responsibility seriously. One day, at her new next-door neighbor’s home, she saw a display case on the wall containing a beautiful little white gown. When Jean learned it was Sue’s husband’s baptismal gown, she asked if her daughters had worn it as well. Surprisingly, Sue confided that she was not sure how she felt about God—that she believed in a supreme being but they did not worship God. As it turns out, Jean’s innocent questions triggered such strong feelings that Sue decided to find a church. Jean was amazed and says, “I hadn’t even pushed the issue—God did! I was only the sower, just gently spreading the seed not realizing the impact I was having on her. She even became a Sunday school teacher!”

Creative Ways to Welcome Your Neighbor

If walking up to total strangers is a little out of your comfort zone, here are some creative ideas to get off on the right foot. Don’t worry about being Martha Stewart—it’s the thought that counts!

• Community advice card. Include information about important community resources like trash collection schedules, utility offices, newspaper delivery, the locations of post offices, libraries, schools, and parks, and of course your home phone number.

• Neighborhood block party. Host an informal get together to introduce your new neighbor to other families on the block. It’s a great way to reconnect with your neighbors.

• Church welcoming committee. Provide welcome kits for members of your congregation to give to their new neighbors. The kit could include cookies, a local delicacy, a Chamber of Commerce map, community information, and a church brochure listing service times and programs.

• Moving day picnic. Surprise your new neighbors with a picnic basket of goodies. Include items like sausage, cheese, crackers, sparkling apple juice, and cookies that can be stored in an inexpensive styrofoam cooler.

• Give from your garden. If you are a gardener, why not bring over some homegrown vegetables or a bouquet of fresh cut flowers? If the newcomers are from outside the area, a flower pot with seeds that grow well in your climate would also be fun.

• Neighborhood map. Give newcomers a single map of the neighbors on your street, complete with names and ages of children and phone numbers. (Get your neighbors’ permission first.)

• Create a coupon booklet. Clip together coupons you come across from local businesses. You might even include a coupon from yourself for a night of free babysitting if your neighbors have kids.

• Share your garbage cans. Moving can generate a huge amount of excess trash—far too much to fit into one or two trash bins.

• Church event. Invite them to a special event at your church. Something non-threatening like a concert or youth event would be a great place to start.

Being welcomed to the neighborhood meant a great deal to homeowner Bev Mathiasen. The first Christmas after she and her family moved into their new home, a neighbor invited all of the female neighbors over for a holiday get-together. At the gathering, the hostess asked each of the guests to share a Christmas family tradition and their most precious Christmas memory. She then shared her faith and what Christmas really meant to her—that the holiday marked the birth of her Lord and Savior.

As a result of that party, five of the neighborhood women formed a Bible study group that met weekly for more than two months. “It was great fun and a great opportunity to bond with our Christian neighbors,” reflects Mathiasen.  |L

Amy Hammond Hagberg is a freelance writer in Buffalo, Minnesota.

How To Nurture Neighborhood Relationships

Neighborhood outreach should go beyond the first few weeks. Like creating a garden, you can’t just plant a seed and walk away. A healthy plant needs sunshine and water to grow strong and beautiful.

• Host an annual potluck dessert buffet with families in your neighborhood.

• Celebrate Independence Day as a neighborhood complete with a bike parade for the kids.

• Practice random acts of kindness.

• Deliver a homemade casserole during pivotal events (birth of a baby, death in the family).

—AH

New Neighbor Don’ts

• Don’t gossip. Saying negative things about other neighbors will make you untrustworthy.

• Don’t invite new neighbors to home shopping parties. While they might really need plastic storage containers or designer jewelry, they might feel like you invited them over to help you get free hostess gifts.

• Don’t make your first encounter a negative one. Complaining about loud music, a barking dog, or messy yard isn’t a good way to introduce yourself.

• Appreciate diversity. Don’t be disappointed if your neighbors aren’t like you. Just as the body of Christ has many different parts, we need to value differences in others.

—AH