Naperville churches unite for ‘Love Your Neighbor’ walk to spread goodwill
Three Naperville churches will come together on Thursday, March 27, for a one-mile Love Your Neighbor walk that welcomes all to join in prayer, support and advocacy for all neighbors within the local and wider community.
The Love Your Neighbor walk, which will kick off at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road in Naperville, at 6 p.m., is grounded in the parable of the good Samaritan and in the Biblical commandment to “love one another just as I have loved you,” given by Jesus to his disciples following the Last Supper.
“The goal is to show our community that we see, love and care for our neighbors both near and far,” said the Rev. Elisabeth Pynn Himmelman, pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and one of the walk’s organizers. “Regardless of denomination, we (the congregations) are united in Jesus’ command to love your neighbor, and the story of the good Samaritan propels us as Jesus followers to show up, stop and help, and act with justice toward all who are hurting.”
Walk participants are invited to bring a donation of whole-grain cereals for Naperville’s Loaves & Fishes Community Services. Cereals can be dropped off at Grace UMC.
From Grace, the walk will proceed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church’s Celebration Campus, 919 S. Washington St., where prayer will be led by St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
Finally, participants will head north two blocks to Our Saviour’s campus at 815 S. Washington St., next to Edward Hospital. Those who would prefer to drive between churches on the route are welcome to do so.
While the walk is hosted by Grace, St. Timothy and Our Saviour’s, “all who wish to participate in this outward sign of loving our neighbors are welcome,” Rev. Pynn Himmelman said.
The Love Your Neighbor walk will conclude at Our Saviour’s with a lighting of candles and prayer from Our Saviour’s pastors. Those interested in staying for fellowship and further conversation are invited to do so at a light potluck supper in Our Saviour’s fellowship hall.