In Our Neighborhood….

It’s important to us to find ways to actively love our neighbors in our host community.  The Oakley neighborhood is a diverse mix of people of various socio-economic levels – from the homeless to the affluent; there are longtime residents and new young couples and families.  We are grateful to be present in this setting.  Below are some of the ways we are serving:   

Community Meal –

Every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month, from 5-7pm, we host and serve our Community Meal.  The meal is open to all in the community and is a way for us to eat together with neighbors.  Both words of Community Meal are an important part of how we experience the time.  Along with preparing and serving good food, we also celebrate birthdays and mark significant passings.  We also develop friendships and keep in touch with the lives of neighbors.      

Oakley Food Pantry

Along with other churches in Oakley we support the local food pantry with our financial, food, and time donations.  The Pantry is hosted by the United Church of Christ in Oakley at 4100 Taylor Avenue and is open from 10-11am every Tuesday, serving those in the 45209 zip code. 

Find-A-Way events

We relate with the Find-A-Way home for independent living located near our church building.  Along with seeing people regularly at Community Meal, we have summer and Christmas parties at Find-A-Way that involve good food and games.

Intentional Community in Oakley

Living in the same neighborhood and sharing resources has been a part of the history of our fellowship, especially in the early days in the 70’s when many people lived in the Clifton area.  At this point some people are pondering what it might be like if some of us were to live in the neighborhood around the church, sharing resources, thinking creatively about community development, relating more closely with neighbors, perhaps beginning a community garden, etc.  We also ponder resurrecting a Cincinnati Voluntary Service unit that may perhaps be housed in the two houses that we own beside our church building.  The pastor and his family have purchased a home on the same street as the church building and welcome all with interest in exploring such possibilities.  If you are moving to the Cincinnati area and have interest in looking to become a part of something like this please be in touch.  One way is through email.