Sometimes the threshold of a church is just too high. The pioneer place Verbinding in Hilversum-Noord therefore does not expect people to come to church, the church itself goes into the neighbourhood. The building of the Erfgooiers playground is a low-threshold and familiar place for neighbourhood residents seeking faith and wanting to follow Jesus.
Connection in North is a missionary initiative of the NCGK in Hilversum. Jan Zuidema, one of the core team members, enthusiastically gives an insight into this pioneering place. “Building on Jesus is carrying bricks. And one of those building blocks is shaping following Jesus in practice with hands and feet.” And in that practice, eating together plays an important role: breakfast together before Sunday celebrations and together at the neighbourhood meal on weekday evenings.
Connection in North on Sunday
“Every first Sunday of the month, we celebrate the lives of followers of Jesus in an approachable way. We meet in the playground building and start the celebration with a brunch. Then we listen to what God has to say to us and reflect and talk to each other about how we can apply it to our lives here and now.
Connection in North is truly living together, we feel a warm bond with each other. It is an environment where people feel seen and the beautiful and sad things in life can be shared.
And what wondrous things God does in that! We may truly experience blessing. People are curious about God and the Bible, or rediscovering who God wants to be for them personally. We even have a nice Bible study circle now.”
Bite to eat
Eating together connects. The neighbourhood meal ‘Hapje eten’ on every third Wednesday of the month is therefore important. “Together with the volunteers from the Erfgooiers playground and some enthusiastic cooks from the group of guests, we prepare a rich and varied meal every month. What enthusiasm and warmth radiates from that!
We shouldn't really speak of guests by now, because we do it together. A good conversation, an arm around a shoulder, a tear and certainly a laugh: we are there for each other. Yes, that also means clearing dishes and washing up together.”
Appealing themes
A good meal invites good conversation. Regularly, relevant social topics are on the programme, with speakers who take attendees through their stories. The neighbourhood police officer, for instance, or the alderman for the social domain. Last November, even the mayor joined in.
Curious?
You are welcome to join us for dinner and celebration to be inspired by the missionary initiative De Verbinding in Hilversum-Noord. Location: Erfgooiersspeeltuin, Erfgooierstraat 92a (near the yellow sign). More information: Jan Zuidema via zuidemabaan@live.nl.
Meeting Connection in North: every first Sunday of the month at 10am breakfast and 10.50am celebration.
Bite to eat: every third Wednesday of the month, from April to September at 6pm and from October to March at 5.30pm.
