Neighboring Through Music

A year and a half ago, Robin Kim began giving her sons piano lessons in their Broad Ripple home. So, when it came time for a Christmas recital, she started thinking about a location for Thomas and Daniel to showcase what they’d learned.

Rather than seeing a dilemma, Robin saw an opportunity. The recital, she realized, could be held in their home.

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“We turned it into a neighborhood get together,” she says. The Kims baked cookies and made sure they had enough Christmas concert invitations to invite their neighbors to come to the concert the following week as a follow-up.

“The boys were so excited,” Robin remembers. “They invited a few of their friends… and Thomas even made a program for the evening.” The 2019 recital grew to include more young pianists, but its focus remained simple: create a place for people to connect.

“[Connecting with neighbors] doesn’t take much time and it isn’t hard. But we do have to be intentional,” Robin says. For the Kim family, that intentionality has led to other neighborhood gatherings, like a summer ice cream social.

It’s something Thomas and Daniel have become passionate about, as well. They are eager to invite their friends to church and to the annual Christmas concert. Thomas, in particular, has made it his mission to consider ways his family can engage with the neighbors. The wintertime piano recital has become one of the family’s favorite ways to do so.

“Our house was built in 1952,” Robin says with a laugh. “It’s small and half the people can’t see the boys while they’re playing.” But ultimately, that isn’t the point. Robin believes her neighbors—many of whom are hurting and lonely during the holidays—are compelled by the chance to connect and feel loved.

“It’s easy to say, ‘I don’t have the house for it,’” she admits. “But it’s the heart that draws people in. We’re just asked to be willing and open.”

To read more stories from the College Park Church 2019 Annual Report, visit yourchurch.com/annualreport.