by Pastor Rob Patterson

I am into my third year as a pastor in Auburn. From the start, Cathy and I have shopped locally, joined a gym, attended prayer meetings, and become chaplains at the hospital. Our view of ‘the church being the church’ involves getting to know our neighbors and inviting them to meet Jesus. So, when it came time for us to buy a house, we decided that we wanted to live in the Auburn Greens.

“Why?” we’ve been asked. “The Greens are known for crime, drugs, and fights—why move to that neighborhood?” Our answer is calm and assured; God has granted direction for our lives and we love people of all ages and backgrounds. For the entire time we’ve been together, we have been in church--and church is wherever we find ourselves in the sight of God.

We had walked around Auburn’s Regional Park many times. One night we ventured beyond the park and walked down the streets and the alleys of the Auburn Greens. It was a pleasant and quiet stroll through a family neighborhood. Signs of family were all around us. Cars, trucks, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, and barbecue grills--all in close proximity of each other. Many households were dark--a sign that hard-working people were already getting rested for the day ahead of them.

So, we continued to watch-and-pray and finally bought a #3 unit in the Greens. Cathy and I are enjoying the family atmosphere there. We step outside and immediately face our neighbors. In the cool of night, we sit outside our door and try to chat--crossing barriers of language and culture. Our idea of ‘church’ is also a lifestyle; it goes way beyond ‘good behavior’ set apart for a building on one day of the week.

One sign outside a church nursery reads: “Unattended children will be given a cup of espresso and a free puppy.” That makes for a hearty laugh from those of us who have already raised our children. It is also a challenge for old-timers like us to get involved with families who face the daily discipline of their children and teens.

Tomorrow, we are inviting all of Auburn to come out for a day of fun at the Regional Park. Members of our church have walked to every home in the Greens inviting them to come out for Family Day (some might call it Dia de Familia). Regardless of your age (or where you live), come out and meet your neighbors. There will be lots of joyful noise--with two bounce houses that’s almost a given! Laughter sounds the same in any language.

On Sunday mornings, some people start to look at their watches if the preacher goes on awhile...but Saturday’s church service will last for five hours! It starts at 11:00am and we’ll be having fun in God’s House (the great outdoors) until 4:00pm. There will be free food, drinks, music, games, puppets--and shade trees for those who simply want to sit back and watch.

*this article appears under a different title in the hardcopy of Friday's Auburn Journal (5-29-09)