Sometimes a church’s most meaningful ministry begins simply by noticing who is already nearby. For Woodside UMC in Riverside, paying attention to the people passing its doors each day sparked a new way of connecting with neighbors, not by asking them to come inside, but by stepping outside to meet them where they are.

A simple question opens the doors to relationship. Photo provided by the church.

Uniquely positioned across from two schools and a block from the town center, Woodside UMC is the church one almost feels like you could drive right into when traveling south on Woodside Road. The apex of where Woodside Road and Kimbark meet is the part of the property we call "The Peak." Other church folks refer to it as "The Point" (it is the apex of a triangle after all), or simply "the north entrance."

Watching parents and school children walk across the church and parsonage lawn during the school year, along with walkers, runners, and bikers passing by all days of the week on both roads, I prayed and wondered, Holy Spirit, how can we connect with these people, YOUR people? 

A practice was birthed. Each Sunday morning during the welcome, all voices join together to read the Mission Statement before the passing of the peace:
"The Woodside United Methodist Church is more than a building. We are a warm and open community that welcomes all people. We try to apply the gospel of Jesus Christ to today’s world. We seek to use our unique gifts in God’s service. We are proud of our past and look forward to a vibrant future. Above all else, we strive to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves." 

From that practice, more prayers, conversation, and ideas flowed. The repeated answer, "that won't work because" nobody in the congregation lives in town,  limited volunteers in a worshipping community of 20-25 in person on Sunday morning, transportation needs within the congregation, physical abilities, my time being divided between two congregations with very different contexts (plus the joys of parenting), and so on, gradually faded away. We began to respond to the stirrings of the Spirit.

The group offers prayers, conversation, stories and even directions as they gather on the church steps and welcome the community. Photo provided by the church.

We have now started another practice: "Prayers at the Peak." One Saturday a month, we put on our Woodside UMC t-shirts, and gather at the steps and sidewalk on the peak to pray for and with our neighbors passing by. With a bubble machine, pens, post-its, and two sandwich boards, we ask the questions, "What can we pray for together today?" / "Do you have a word in prayer to share today?" From this we have met neighbors and pets, prayed for hip joints, safe travels, beautiful days, unity, peace, and those that mourn. We have celebrated new jobs, given directions when drivers have lost their way, and shared stories together. We've also watched the odd coyote go from street to street. While all this is happening, other church work is as oging on as well, such as gardening, organizing, reorganizing, and of course prayerfully solving the world's problems over piping hot coffee and treats. 

Our next Prayers at the Peak will start with a Pet Blessing on September 12th.