By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – Signs welcoming all people to Bloomington-Normal are popping up in yards throughout the community.

Pastor Jim Warren of the First Christian Church in Bloomington hopes the “Welcome Neighbor” signs make a statement.

“The signs are designed to let folks know that they’re welcome, that we like having them around, that we want to be neighbors to them,” Warren said.

Warren said the inclusive attitude is nothing new.

“Our Christian Scriptures tell us the story about when Jesus was asked, ‘Who is my neighbor?’, and he didn’t answer that because in answering it some would be in but others would be left out,” Warren said. “Rather, Jesus said don’t worry so much about who is your neighbor and isn’t. You just be a neighbor and you show mercy, compassion and love to anyone who’s in need.”

Warren said the signs are not meant to be like those found during election campaigns.

“For me, it’s not so much a political thing as it is saying who we are as a faith community and who we are called to be, that welcoming neightbor,” Warren said. “That’s why we have them up and that’s why I have one at my own house.”

Signs are $10 each and available at First Christian Church at 401 W. Jefferson St., Bloomington, at the YWCA at Hershey Rd. and Empire St. and during limited hours at the Tool Library at 801 W. Washington St., Bloomington. Signs are available in English, Spanish and Arabic. Posters are also available.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].