Open Source Reprieve
I’m going camping this weekend with a bunch of folks from church, which means I’ll be out in the middle of nowhere Saturday. Now, I could be a rule-minder and go find some coffee shop to work out of for a couple hours, but I think that’d rank pretty low on the Daddy Awesomeness Scale. Therefore, I’m giving all you wonderful contributors a reprieve. I get back from camping on Sunday, so you have between now and then to add your suggestions to the Open Source Sermon Topic thread. I’ll give things a look once I get back and post Sunday night. Assuming all goes well, that post will include our texts and a link to our very own wiki! (What’s a wiki? Click here!)
Spread the word people. This has never been done before. And if that’s not cool enough, your ideas might speak from a pulpit in the not too distant future. Have something to say to the church? To the world?
Church Tackles Invasive Species
Sometimes, churches get it right. I’m pretty pleased to be a part of this project to restore native plants to a strip of land near our church. The area was completely overgrown with invasives that would have choked out all the wildflowers and shade trees. That’s a lose for everyone. The congregation loved shade (and the and the energy savings that came with it). The neighbors loved the wall of green that protected their homes from street noise (and increased their property values). The drivers on the parkway enjoyed the tall trees and greenery that make that particular stretch of Menominee River Parkway one of the prettiest, drives in Milwaukee. (Seriously. Driving that road will drop your blood pressure.) So what are we doing about it? We’re teaming up with the county, and with master gardeners around town, to reintroduce native plants. The process is already started, with most of the old stuff gone, and some new plants already taking root.
And now we’re getting good press for it. Tom Heine posted a story about it in his blog for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Thanks to Mr. Heine for the article, to the county for the help, to the workers for slogging through mud and rain, and to everyone who has donated money to get this project started. We’re not done yet! You can help by donating time, native plants, or money. Interested parties may contact the church.
Tosa Skateboarders Get Famous-er (and me a little bit too)
We made the paper! Walked into work this morning and our administrator showed me the article. Turns out someone over at the Journal Sentinel thought the story of a church that supports skaters was worth sharing. Why would a church give a care about a bunch of skateboarders? You’ll just have to read for yourself. Better yet, go out and buy a copy, then email Annysa Johnson to tell her what a great job she did writing the article, and then go to your church/business and challenge them to get on board too!
WARNING!
This is a journal. As in, personal opinions. As in, NOT the official stance of anybody but me. As in, NOT my final answer on anything. As in read at your own risk, your mileage may vary.
