The River Church Community

So much to say…

First, the community garden is taking off and it is exciting!  Since its founding in the Nov of 2009, The River Garden has become more and more robust.  We began with 6 raised beds and a few local families.  And now we have nearly 15 beds and numerous families!  With the help of River members, Santa Cruz IV students and members of the community, the garden is beginning to flourish.  We have added beds, sown cover crops, and most recently formed a partnership with BUG (Bronco Urban Gardening) which has enabled the garden to take flight! BUG is now using our garden to bless at-risk youth at Washington Elementary.  They are using our garden to train community members served by La Mesa Verde, a branch of Sacred Heart Community Services, which gives raised beds to low-income families.  And they are using our garden for training the local community more generally. It has been amazing to see The River Garden take off.  And we look forward to God's good work.  For we acknowledge that in all things, we may sow and tend but it is God who causes all things to grow (1Cor 3:5-8).

Second, today Curtis Chang and I are meeting with the directors of all the major homeless agencies to present our web-tool.  We have gotten such good feedback.  It is wonderful to see how the church can make an impact in the world!  It is the classical collective action problem.  This tool is in everyone’s interest but no one person’s interest enough to build it—and this is where the church can step in and help.  I could share about this for hours…maybe a few bLoG posts will be needed soon…Or if you want, we could meet for lunch one of these days…

Third, I have been convening a number of the downtown pastors to talk about how we can work together to address homeless issues in our neighborhoods.  This is again wonderful—especially in that the unity of the church is expressed.  It is a way to actually work together, rather than in competition for Sunday seats…a sad churchly reality sometimes…If you are ever interested in attending one of these meetings let me know.  You are welcome.

Tony Traback, River Pastor