Last night was our annual (well, almost annual) neighborhood pie party! It went great, praise the Lord! About 35 neighbors came from all around the block, and we were so excited about the warm responses and good connections made!
Our purpose for the pie party is simply to get acquainted with our neighbors.
The first year we had the pie party about a dozen neighbors came. It has just continued to grow since then. The neighbors like the opportunity to get to know each other. (Now they express strong disappointment to us when they have to miss a neighborhood pie party.)
Unfortunately, in today’s generation, most people don’t know their neighbors that well. It’s not because people are less social than they used to be – it’s just because they don’t “rely” on each other as much, and have more connections elsewhere. But we’ve seen that our neighbors really do like getting acquainted (and eating pie).
If you’d like to try this in your area, we’d highly recommend it! Here are a few tips:
1) Set aside a couple hours a few days in advance to go around, knock on doors, and invite all the neighbors. It’s helpful to tell them about it face to face. It also gives extra opportunity to get acquainted. (Sometimes I have long talks on their doorsteps!)
2) Print up a little paper to leave with them (or attach to doors) to remind them of the day, time, and place.
3) Whatever you serve for desert, make it special and memorable.
4) If there is a prayer request or celebration in the neighborhood, acknowledge that. For example, last night as everyone arrived my dad prayed to give thanks for the food and prayed especially for Harry, our next door neighbor struggling with cancer. We also honored the couple across the street who was celebrating their anniversary.
5) Use name tags. Last night my dad invented a new kind of name tag by cutting paper plates in fourths so they looked like pieces of pie.
Right now I am working on a study guide to go along with Will Our Generation Speak?. I’m looking for practical ideas similar to this one to include. I’d love to hear any you may have! Feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me. Thanks!
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” Hebrews 10:24
Thanks for the delicious pie! It was so nice talking to neighbors and catching up with you and your family. Many blessings! Thank you for all your hard work. 🙂
That is really neat! We have a really nice neighborhood and have a yearly Christmas party together. (And sometimes have summer BBQs.) Its so much fun to do! ~Krista
How fun! And I’m excited to hear that you’re working on a study guide for your book! I’ll be praying for you! One idea comes from a friend of mine. She plays guitar, so she’ll go to the park with some friends, and they’ll just sit under a tree and sing worship songs. It sometimes attracts a crowd, causes bystanders to ask questions, and at least sends the gospel message through the park! Our group hasn’t tried it yet, but we hope to soon! 🙂 We plan to go to the Louisville waterfront in a couple of weeks to do some witnessing. We appreciate your prayers! 🙂