Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”
(Mark 4:30-32)

We think of this parable when we look at what is now happening in our neighborhoods since the inception of Urban Homeworks. Small seeds have been planted that slowly germinated into young green shoots. They emerged from seedlings into thriving plants that are becoming “home” to those seeking shelter, rest, and community. And the divine pollination happens again. And now new life and new ideas are blooming out of the “mustard plant” that is the network of relationships borne out of Urban Homeworks. This is how Jesus saw the Kingdom of God, and we are honored to be a part of it.

We have come to call this blooming “a strategic network of good neighbors.”

What is this “strategic network of good neighbors?”

It is a dynamic, organic network of relationships that connects neighbors to each other to promote healthy urban community.

It is not a “program” of Urban Homeworks, but rather a voluntary and open web of relationships and connections of like-minded people who desire to see the hope of Jesus Christ manifest in their Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods.

It is taking on a life of it’s own, as any living organism does.

We once abbreviated it as “NOGN”…and a nick-name was born: the NOG’N (“noggin”).

Purpose of the NOG’N?

To empower the work, ministry, and relationships of people in our community by connecting them to resources/people within the expanding number of Urban Homework’s ministry and community partners .

Who is part of the NOG’N?

There is no “membership”, no roster per se. There are only relationships that have grown out of some aspect of the mission and people that have been part of Urban Homeworks:

  • UHW Staff, past UHW staff and interns
  • UHW Board members (current and past)
  • Current Urban Neighbors, and Urban Neighbor Alumni
  • UHW homeowners and neighborhood homeowners
  • Current/past UHW Families
  • Current/past UHW Volunteers
  • Key UHW Ministry partners/supporters
  • Community agencies, ministries
  • The Church (Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding communities)

Benefit of the NOG’N

  • United we stand, divided we fall
  • Shared ministry resources and opportunities (i.e. visiting speakers, trainings, outreach events)
  • Sharing “best practices”!

How is the NOG’N “actualized”?

  • through partnerships on community development and ministry efforts
  • voluntary participation in UHW-sponsored or co-sponsored events (i.e. Urban Neighbor meetings, Harambee Weekend with Park Ave UMC, neighborhood events, etc.)
  • e-mail, internet, blogs (Tanden & Erin’s blog, Russ’s Blog, Leah’s Blog), Facebook, and other forms of electronic communication
  • UHW newsletter, UHW blog, etc.