My Suburb Project: Update (July 2021)

My Suburb Project

Back in January, we introduced the My Suburb Project, an effort to make our Well-Word-World mission granular in the specific towns we live in.

Why This Project?

Meeting people at the “Well,” discipling them in the Word, and sending them out as empowered Christians to transform the world: that’s a big mission! But if I’m shoulder-to-shoulder with other North Sub attenders who live in my town, know my neighbors, and spend time in the places where I spend time, my part in the mission can become less daunting.

Progress

Here’s what has happened with this project so far:

1/31: the project was introduced at our Congregational Meeting

2/1: this summary video was released

2/21: we held our initial call in which we broke up into “rooms” based on where we live and started brainstorming the cultures of our specific towns

2/22: we laid out what’s next

March-April: we studied our suburbs, particularly how they’re trying to shape us and how we might most effectively shape them

May-June: North Sub residents of Deerfield, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and New Trier Township held a second meeting in which they gathered their reflections on their towns and finalized their plans for engaging their neighbors this summer

June-July: plans are being put into practice, including prayerwalks

Early Results

God is on the move in our towns! North Sub attenders who previously didn’t know each other have realized they live on the same block! Mutual acquaintances are being identified. North Sub attenders are connecting their neighbors to other North Sub attenders, surrounding these folks with a network of caring Christians.

This is slow work, but it’s deep, and connections are being forged that we pray will bear fruit months and years down the road.

Town-Specific Reports

Here are some highlights of what’s happening in each of the towns involved in the My Suburb Project:

Deerfield

With a prayerwalk around Deerfield High School completed, the next scheduled prayerwalk will be at Village Hall. The North Sub residents of Deerfield are considering several other ideas which are now only in the embryonic stage – hosting a barbecue, greeting those new to the town, supporting the elderly or those suffering from diseases, and service projects accompanied by shared meals.

Northbrook

The Durhams and Higginses are hosting neighbor gatherings, with other families considering doing the same. The North Sub residents of Northbrook are exploring a town tradition in which someone puts a “pink flamingo” in their yard to indicate an open invite for an informal gathering. One prayerwalk (in the Higgins-Mar-Sharpee neighborhood) has been completed, with three more scheduled. This group is also exploring how to best come alongside residents of Covenant Living and Elevate Care.

New Trier Township

With one prayerwalk (in Glencoe) already completed, more are being considered (in Northfield, Wilmette, or Winnetka). The North Sub residents of New Trier Township are praying for each other in their individual interactions with existing neighbors, and they are exploring community events at which they might volunteer together.

Buffalo Grove

Maralee Scott has led the way in praying by name over a list of neighbors, including several Russian and Indian men and women. Scheduling of prayerwalks is underway.

Maintaining momentum

Let’s keep it going, church family!

What’s an idea you have for your town that you can now make concrete by recruiting some fellow residents of your town and putting a date on the calendar?