*culture is not optional

Practicing Resurrection 2010 - August 6-8!

2010-08-04T20:20:25Z

This weekend, we'll be co-hosting the biennial Practicing Resurrection conference with Russet House Farm in Cameron, Ontario. Our theme this year is "Urban Agriculture and the Peace of the City" and the event will feature keynote speakers Ched Myers and Elaine Enns, as well as a great slate of exciting workshop presenters.

It should be a refreshing and inspiring event!

Video update: Huss Future Festival

2010-07-27T23:03:42Z

The first annual Huss Future Festival was a great success! Check out the video below, then read Kirstin's overview of the event on the Imagining Space blog (with links to photos and news stories).

Huss Future Festival - July 24!

2010-07-14T13:04:33Z

Huss Future Festival 2010 will take place on Saturday, July 24 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Stop by 1008 8th St. in Three Rivers to browse the rummage sale, to enjoy free coffee and live music at the bake sale and to purchase handmade art. Visitors can also learn more about *culture is not optional's future plans for the Huss School property through tours and art exhibits, including the Tripple Ripple Community Gardens. All proceeds from the Future Festival will benefit the renovation of the historic Huss School for an off-campus program for college students and a community center. Bake sale donations, volunteers and art vendors are still being accepted; please contact us for more information about donating.

*cino board meeting today

2010-06-25T12:00:46Z

The *culture is not optional board will be meeting in Three Rivers today to discuss our ongoing publishing and educational work. We'll be talking about our publishing work, the upcoming Practicing Resurrection conference, the Imagining Space project at Huss School in Three Rivers and the necessary fundraising to sustain them all.

Your prayers for wisdom and discernment are very much appreciated. Thank you!

Video update: Englewood visitors

2010-06-04T22:25:51Z

About two weeks ago, we had a group visit from Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, to help work at the church. Here's a little glimpse of our day together:

Video update: Planting

2010-05-22T01:50:13Z

Several folks got together last night at the Triple Ripple Community Gardens at Huss School to begin planting vegetables ... and then it rained all day today to water everything!

Video update: Plowing

2010-05-12T15:55:10Z

Last Saturday, Ron and Del Buckhold brought over a tractor to plow the ground for the Triple Ripple Community Gardens. While they technically used a tiller, it seems right to call turning over new ground for gardening "plowing." Check it out below:

Video update: Garden blessing

2010-05-11T19:40:32Z

A little over a week ago, we gathered in the backyard of the school with members of the community to bless the land designated for the Triple Ripple Community Gardens. Here are a few highlights from the event:

Six interns to join *cino's summer work

2010-05-06T14:22:30Z

We are thrilled and grateful to announce that six Calvin College seniors will be making their way to Three Rivers after graduation in May to serve terms of one month to one year as interns. Three of these students developed interest in *cino's work through participation in the March service-learning spring break trip, while three others heard about the opportunity through word of mouth. Johnathan, Liz, Marian, Paul, Rebecca and Stephanie all bring unique interests and skills and we look forward to moving the organization forward with their help, as well as continuing to build local community relationships energized by creativity and vision.

Video update: Gardens and wild areas

2010-04-30T21:58:36Z

In an attempt to tell more by showing, we're starting a video update series that we hope will give you an idea for the people behind *culture is not optional and the projects we're doing. Our first installment is a bit of a test, so it's on the simple side (technically speaking).

Festival of Faith & Writing 2010

2010-04-15T17:25:02Z

*cino will again have a table at this year's Festival of Faith & Writing at Calvin College. If you're interested in meeting us and/or getting involved with our publishing projects, stop by the exhibit hall. We'd love to meet you!

Board meeting in Three Rivers

2010-04-09T11:47:41Z

*culture is not optional's Board of Directors will be meeting on Friday, April 9 in Three Rivers to continue conversations about moving forward with *cino. We'll discuss a broad range of topics, including our continued fundraising efforts, the upcoming Practicing Resurrection conference, and next steps for the Imagining Space Project at Huss School.

As always, we're very much looking forward to getting together with this amazing group of folks to talk about *cino. Please pray for wisdom and discernment while we meet.

Spring Break 2010

2010-03-25T21:55:55Z

Five Calvin College students are currently spending the week in Three Rivers to work on the Imagining Space project at Huss School. Additionally, they're meeting several local folks and exploring the meaning of place.

For more, read the daily entries at the Imagining Space blog and check out photos on Flickr.

Preaching at Crossroads Community Church in Dyer, IN

2010-03-12T17:39:48Z

Kirstin and I will be preaching this weekend at Crossroads Community Church in Dyer, IN. We'll be speaking specifically about food and how we might live into the biblical narrative through our everyday food choices--a continuation of the ideas we explored during the Eat Well Food Tour from last summer. In fact, this is kind of an extension of the tour!

Crossroads has three weekend services--Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 9:00am and 10:30am--and we'll be speaking for each. We're looking forward to spending time with the good folks at Crossroads!

Winter 2010 road journal on its way

2010-03-05T20:34:27Z

The Winter 2010 road journal is being dropped off at the Post Office today and will make it to your mailbox in a matter of days. This issue of our quarterly print journal features several great pieces by various *cino writers, plus a photo essay highlighting the Imagining Space project at Huss School. A special thanks to Julie Bouman for helping with the mailing; we couldn't have gotten everything done without her!

If you aren't on our mailing list yet, you can sign up now for a free subscription to the road journal.