Why does land matter? Join author Ben Norquist and friends to consider how a "theology of place" can spur our imagination and faith.

Ben will draw on themes from his forthcoming book Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination (2026) to invite listeners into a fresh Christian imagination for the physical places where we live, work, and worship.

He will explore how American Christians often live “everywhere and nowhere” at once—rootless, disconnected from neighbors, and inattentive to the land itself—and why recovering a biblical vision of place, land, and community is essential to discipleship.

Blending theology, history, and vivid examples from across the U.S. and the Holy Land, he will outline how our faith can reshape our understanding of space, property, and community, and offer practical pathways for “pilgrimage in place”—living more deeply, justly, and gratefully right where God has put us.

SOLD OUT

In this conversation-style presentation, artist Andrew Gunnar Norquist and author Dr. Benjamin Norquist explore how Christian faith shapes the way we see and steward the natural world.

Andrew will discuss his new series of large-scale graphite drawings of ancient trees—works that invite viewers to encounter creation as both fragile and enduring, temporal and transcendent.

Drawing on themes from his forthcoming book on the sacredness of land, Dr. Ben Norquist will provide a critical framework for reflecting on these artworks, raising questions about beauty, place, and the theological significance of the earth.

Together they will invite the audience into a dialogue about how art can deepen our sense of connection to creation and awaken a richer Christian imagination for land, life, and worship.

Andrew Gunnar Norquist is a Rhode Island-based artist whose practice blends drawing, sculpture, and installation with a deep sensitivity to place, memory, and meaning. He holds an MFA in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BS in Studio Art from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Alongside his studio practice, Andrew has spent nearly two decades working in gallery preparation and exhibition design, experiences that have shaped his eye for detail and his appreciation for the physical and narrative presence of art in space.

Norquist’s recent body of work—detailed graphite drawings of ancient trees—emerges from a long-standing fascination with the spiritual resonance of the natural world. These trees, many of them millennia old, are not simply botanical subjects but living witnesses to history, mystery, and endurance. His renderings invite viewers to contemplate rootedness, time, and the silent stories carried within the gnarled limbs and hollowed trunks. In his work, trees become icons of presence—beings who stand quietly in their place asking us to listen.

This exhibition is a meditation on the sacred dimensions of landscape and the human stories that play out across their surfaces. Norquist’s work sits at the intersection of spirituality, place, and storytelling—each drawing a quiet pilgrimage into the heart of creation. Through the act of seeing and depicting these ancient forms, he offers viewers a visual liturgy: a way of beholding the world with reverence and attention.

Dr. Ben Norquist Ben Norquist is a writer, researcher, and educator whose work explores the sacredness of place at the intersection of land, story, and faith. He is a director at Churches for Middle East Peace and serves on the executive leadership team of Church at the Crossroads. Ben’s doctoral research focused on higher education in active conflict zones, culminating in a qualitative case study of Palestinian universities in Bethlehem. His writing often weaves together personal narrative, settler colonial critique, and theological reflection—most notably in his forthcoming book with InterVarsity Press, Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination (2026), which examines how American Christians imagine and inhabit the lands around them. A graduate of St. John’s College and Azusa Pacific University, Ben has held appointments and leadership roles at Wheaton College and Bryan College. His essays and commentary have appeared in Christianity Today, The Christian Century, Religion News Service, Sojourners, Christians for Social Action, and Baptist News Global. He lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with his wife and three children.

We’re glad to promote anything that Strong Towns does. Our Founder Tom Becker has been a Member of ST’s since their inception and helped start the local Lancaster cohort and discussion group.

This event is for those who have serious concerns, questions, and ideas for making Lancaster a more humane and prosperous place…from the ground up. Come to connect, enjoy some grub, and gain a hopeful perspective.

Hear from Chuck Marohn on the next steps we can take as a community to improve housing in Lancaster.

Charles “Chuck” Marohn is the founder and president of Strong Towns. With decades of experience as a land use planner and civil engineer, Marohn is on a mission to help cities and towns become stronger and more prosperous. He spreads the Strong Towns message through in-person presentations, the Strong Towns Podcast, and his books and articles. In recognition of his efforts and impact, Planetizen named him one of the 15 Most Influential Urbanists of all time in 2017 and 2023.

Marohn, a civil engineer and land use planner with two decades of experience, believes communities across America have succumbed to “the Suburban Experiment,” a top-down development approach that leads to sprawl and unsustainable long-term costs. He advocates a return to incremental local development, attuned to local communities’ needs and capacity for growth. In his latest book, Escaping the Housing Trap, he explains how this approach can empower local communities and make housing affordable for the average family again, without expensive subsidies or government programs.

Following a short presentation, Marohn will sit down with a panel of local housing stakeholders to share insights and drill down into the specifics of housing in Lancaster County.

Confirmed panelists include: Dana Hanchin, President & CEO of HDC MidAtlantic

Chad Martin, Executive Director of Chestnut Housing

Douglas Smith, Director of Location and Land Use for the U.S. Green Building Council and former Chief Planner for Lancaster City

Ben Lesher, Founder and President of Parcel B

For our Members and Sponsors, we are hosting four unscripted discussions as a second go for our Forum topics. Seating is limited to 20 and RSVP is required.

This’n will take place at Row House HQ (home of the Beckers) and will be a follow up to our housing Forum with Chad Martin on Sept 12th.

Fall-ish drinks and snacks provided. Bring your own autumnal attitude and a friend.

Why this Forum?

For one, it’s not for mothers only! Some of our Forums are intended to strike people right where they live; others to stoke in us sympathy for others.

Either way, Catherine’s ongoing project to figure out how to live artfully while faithfully serving her family is one worth considering.

We all juggle plates. Sometimes many small ones. Sometimes a few honkin’ big ones.

What do we do? We put one foot in front of the other (or try to), and we look to guides. Rickets is one of those guides.

Consider the role creativity plays in your every day. And join us for Catherine’s reflections, some great Q&A, and coffee with light fare.

Seating is Limited

$15.00 in advance | $20.00 at Door

Row House Members Plus One Free with Reservation

Want More?

Catherine will be the featured writer at Nooks Gallery & Books on Saturday morning at 9:30, 112 N. Prince St. in Lancaster for their Writers Breakfast.

No tickets required! Just show up to meet other aspiring writers and hear more about Catherine’s writing process. Enjoy some light breakfast fare and coffee too.

Thanks, Nooks!

Why this Forum?

Available housing today is far outpaced by demand, driving rents and mortgages through the roof.

What can be done? According to Chuck Mahron in his book Escaping the Housing Trap, the answer is manifold. There’s more than just one way to escape.

Chad will describe one way: Building more units to take pressure off the market and to move our most vulnerable neighbors into safe, affordable shelters, homes they can call their own.

Seating is Limited

$15.00 in advance | $20.00 at Door

Row House Members Plus One Free with Reservation

About Chad + Chestnut Housing

Chad brings nearly 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to his role as the first Executive Director of Chestnut Housing. In addition to executive leadership roles and board service for a variety of organizations, he has been a pastor, an art teacher, and the director of a multi-million dollar grant program to support the preservation of historic church buildings.

Chad lives just outside the city on a six acre farm with his wife Jess and their two kids.

Over ten years ago, some friends at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church wondered, “Should we just buy a house?” They had been serving neighbors in the city of Lancaster for years, and this step seemed big. It also seemed like a start at creating housing access for folks who struggled to get a leg up.

Today, Chestnut Housing is a non-profit with a vision to create 100 homes (mostly high quality rental units) by 2028. They’re on target, and Chad will give us the latest stats.

For instance in 2022 they raised over $400,000 and an additional $1.1 million in public funding committed to their Milburn Apartments project.

More importantly, Chad will bring us stories of God’s image bearers who are no longer daily threatened by homelessness. They are experiencing the safety and peace we all wish for our own households.