Our vision for neighborhood engagement is to move “from projects to presence.” This means that we are committed to moving from merely serving to being there for our neighbors as part of an ongoing relationship. And the Bible teaches that relationships are primary: God to us, us to ourselves, ourselves to others, and ourselves to the world. People in need are not lacking mere resources. Often, they lack friends, good places to live and work, a relationship with the living God, and a community of brothers and sisters who, despite all of our difficulties, are there for them. The church is supposed to be that community, and it exists to invite others in to be a part of God’s family. Our neighborhood engagement ought to reflect Jesus, who became flesh and blood, and “moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14, The Message). As we minister to our Hope For New York affiliates, serve at the Frederick Douglass Houses, or try new initiatives like beautifying the West 83rd Street block, we want to be a community that are good neighbors, day in and day out, right here in our neighborhood. To learn more, I encourage you to sign up for our Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter, and to invite your friends to join in, commit to our community, and be present with the neighbors to whom God has called us.
Peace,
Alan
Neighborhood Engagement Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on outreach! Sign up for this new monthly email to get informed about Redeemer West Side’s updates and neighborhood volunteer opportunities. Click here to sign up.
New Leaders and New Hosts
In preparation for the new ministry year, a season where we are welcoming many newcomers into our church, we are asking for all of you to get excited with us and help us launch new pilot community groups! Please take a moment to think: who has a welcoming spirit and places their trust in the word of God? Who has been a great encouragement to you in your own CG? And practically speaking, who might have space to have six or more folks over to hang out for a couple of hours? Please recommend someone you know (or volunteer yourself) to serve as a Pilot CG leader or host.
Upcoming
- Aug 6 | Beautify the Block Meeting
- Aug 14 | Grief and Loss Support Group
- Aug 15 | Community Salsa
- Aug 20 | 20s & 30s Ice Cream Social
- Sep 5 | WSY Friday Night Youth Group
- Sep 26 to 28 | Lake Champion Fall Retreat Work Crew
- Sep 28 | New at RWS
Get Involved
Help start new Community Groups at Redeemer West Side.
Listen to songs from Redeemer West Side Music.
Sign up to serve the Church Family Meals at RWS.
Volunteer with HFNY this summer.
