Jesus in the Neighborhood

In 2022, the McPherson Church of the Brethren established plans for “Jesus in the Neighborhood,” an initiative supporting a denominational-wide effort to serve as disciples through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. Congregational feedback resulted in the church adopting four ACTIONS to support the local community. Those actions include Caring for Creation; Engaging in Service & Peacemaking; Supporting Youth, Family & Young Adults and Partnering for Racial Justice.

How to start a strategic plan project:

Step 1: Contact the Leadership Team Chair when you have an action or project idea.
Step 2: Leadership Team Chair will identify a ministry team to support your action or project idea. You will be given the ministry team’s name and the corresponding chair name.
Step 3: A representative from the team will contact you to determine what support is needed. Team assistance may include the following:

• Contacting individuals who have expressed interest in your action
• Providing person power, supplies and/or finances
• Identifying a project leader and/or co-leader

Step 4: Work may proceed once individuals commit to helping with a project
Step 5: The team chair will provide progress reports to the Leadership Team on behalf of the project leader

Action I includes the following goals:

• Local Projects: nature trails, tree planting, highway clean-up
• Reduce the carbon footprint of McPherson Church of the Brethren facility
• Solar array installed on church buildings
• Collaborate with other churches on care of creation

Project Highlights:

• E-Waste Project
• Butterfly Garden
• Meadowlark Trail
• Becoming Rooted: 100 Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth

Action II includes the following goals:

• Assist/partner with persons in poverty
• Annual work week with local Habitat for Humanity
• Build community getting to know actual neighbors
• Communications training how to relate to differing views

Project Highlights:

• Oak Harbor Cottages Project
• Hutchinson Correctional Facility Visitation & Pen Pal Program
• Meals on Wheels

Action III includes the following goals:

• Create/staff a coffee house aimed at young adults & McPherson College students
• House and staff an after-school tutoring program for youth
• Prioritize church programming for needs of young families
• Collaborate with McPherson College to get a Spiritual Life Director

Project Highlights:

• Good Beginnings Preschool
• Washington Elementary Tutoring Program
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Action IV includes the following goals:

• Seek guidance from Morningstar Baptist Church on actions to deter local racial discrimination
• Become a Sanctuary Congregation
• Partner with McPherson College to host events promoting racial community

Project Highlights:

• How to Fight Racism Book Study