STRANGER TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAMS
Over the past 25 years, communities in North Carolina and across the United States, have experienced a significant influx of new immigrants, bringing tremendous new ethnic, cultural and religious diversity.
In the midst of these major demographic shifts, our communities have a very important choice to make – will we fear one another as strangers or embrace one another as neighbors?
We believe this question is best answered by our faith and morals, and how we answer this question will have a significant impact on our economic, social/cultural, and spiritual future for generations to come.
FaithAction does not promote any particular faith tradition, but rather the shared values of many faiths and moral traditions. We recognize the tremendous potential of diverse cultures and religious congregations putting their faith in action together towards a more just and inclusive world where there are no strangers, only neighbors!
Our Stranger to Neighbor Congregations Initiative builds transformational relationships between theologically and culturally diverse faith communities through four steps – education, exchange, faith in action, and telling the story. With the help of a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., we pair dozens of diverse congregations together across North Carolina and the nation, providing training, consultation, and seed grants to faith communities interested in taking the stranger to neighbor journey. For more information, please contact the FaithAction team at info@faithaction.org.
FaithAction's Stranger to Neighbor Model
Education – Learning from reliable sources that help deepen perspectives and encourage respect for the unique history, traditions, and values of our newest neighbors.
Exchange – Building lasting relationships with our neighbors – eating, dancing, sharing stories together – identifying shared values, as well as shared community concerns.
Faith in Action – Assessing what has been learned and experienced in the first two steps, and utilizing the gifts and resources of both groups to create better, more inclusive and just communities together.
Telling the Story – Sharing stories of how this journey led to growth and transformation, and how the entire community benefits when strangers become neighbors.
