CA Events - Fall 2025
Attack Roses!
Removing invasives @Merry Lea
30 pts
From the Communicator:
Multiflora Rose and other invasives removal: We will use loppers to cut the stems and daubers to paint the stumps with herbicide*. This method keeps herbicide use to a minimum and targets only the plants you want to treat. We will work in teams with one person cutting and one person daubing.The roses are THORNY, long sleeves are recommended no matter how hot it is. We will be working off trail, so please wear sturdy shoes and long pants.
*Volunteers must be over 18 to apply herbicide.
Meeting location will be determined a few days before this event based on where the greatest need is at that time. When:
- August 26, 2p - 4p
- August 28, 5:30p - 7:30pTo express interest in any of these opportunities or to register, visit this registration form or email Freya at freyakb@goshen.edu.
Beechy Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Lecture
Valarie Kaur & Qais Essar
10 pts
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 – 7 p.m. – Umble Center
Valarie Kaur,
Founder of the Revolutionary Love Project
Also Featuring: Qais Essar, Afghan-American Composer & Instrumentalist
Valarie Kaur is a civil rights leader, lawyer, filmmaker and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, known for her message of love as a force for justice. For more than two decades, she has led campaigns against hate violence, mass incarceration and injustice, while inspiring millions through speeches, books and many initiatives. Rooted in her Sikh faith and vision of the “sage-warrior,” she continues to call people toward building a multiracial democracy grounded in revolutionary love. More information is available on her website valariekaur.com.
Qais Essar is an acclaimed Afghan-American composer, instrumentalist and producer. Renowned for his mastery of the rabab--the national instrument of Afghanistan--Essar blends traditional Afghan and Indian classical music with contemporary genres, crafting a unique fusion that bridges ancient and modern sounds.
Community Engagement Day
10 pts
Monday, September 29, 2025
various locations and times.
All first-year students take part in Community Engagement Day. Though this is an all-day event, first years are already expected to participate: 10 CA points anyway for participants who turn in a reflection.
Environment and Spirituality Summit
10 pts for each session (4 sessions in all).
September 29-30, 2025
Remote conference or local 'watch party'
Faith in Place--an organization that works with churches to foster action and awareness about environmental issues--organizes an annual Environment and Spirituality Summit. There are four sessions. You can earn 10 points for each session that you "attend" and write a reflection about.
The keynote speaker this year is Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of 'Braiding Sweetgrass' and a citizen of the Potawatomi nation--one of the indigenous groups living historically and currently in the region including Goshen. She'll be talking at 7:30 on Tuesday, Sept 30.
REGISTER here. You may choose the \$0 'Community Member' registration. The sessions will be online, and/or receive info during registration about a watch party happening at Assembly Mennonite Church, here in Goshen: 4 blocks North of GC at New York and 10th Street.
Can we bike toward a better Elkhart County?
15 pts
Thursday, October 2, 6:30-8 PM (doors open at 6 PM)
Goshen Theater (downtown Goshen), Ballroom
Melissa Bruntlett
will discuss the potential of reimagined spaces and increased transportation sustainability.
She is the co-author of “Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality”, and will share inspiring stories about how smart urban planning is shaping vibrant communities from the Netherlands to North America.
This event is free to attend, but you must register ahead of time.
For all the details and to save your seat, visit
vibrantelkhartcounty.org/bruntlett-building.../
This "Building Blocks Talk" is sponsored by Vibrant Communities of Elkhart County, Experience Elkhart County, Indiana, the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, and We Impact Group.
Collecting native seeds @ Merry Lea
25 pts participating in any one of the three times available
Help Merry Lea collect native seeds for use in restoration projects throughout the property! No experience necessary. We'll go over how to tell when seeds are ripe and what we'll do with them after collection.
Registration required. Meeting location will be determined a few days before this event based on where the greatest need is at that time. Freya will contact you via email with those details. Clippers, buckets, and gloves will be available for volunteers to use.
