The Canvas team was out on the streets again this past Saturday, picking up litter and giving back to the community. Our Clean Up Selly Oak (CUSO) efforts have gotten the attention of the local community, the Birmingham City Counsel and even the University. This is just one way that Canvas shows care to the environment, people and community around us.

Here are a few photos from the morning.

We’ve created a new video showing a few students from Canvas talking about all that Canvas means and is to them. We asked them questions like:

• What is Canvas?
• How did you first connect with Canvas?
• Would things be the same without the Canvas House?
• How have your perceptions of Christianity changed since getting involved with Canvas?

Their responses are humbling and exciting. God is definitely doing something special here in Birmingham. But why take our word for it? Watch and hear what they have to say for yourself.

See this and other videos at videos.constantjourney.com.

Canvas gave these free things out to 1000 students houses last week.

The Welcome Project was and still is a raving success. Canvas has distributed free Canvas coffee mugs, fairtrade tea and coffee, Canvas pens and Canvas bags to 1000 student houses thanks to specials gifts from so many of you. It has been a great way for us to introduce Canvas to this term’s student community.

Those of you who have been given something for free (especially something nice like a canvas bag and a mug) will understand the surprise and elation we saw along the way. That reaction triples here as we went door to door for hours. We knocked and waited…and the student would typically open the door, give the face that we all give when we sense someone is selling something. We then handed them a bag. “This is for you. We’re from Canvas. There is a kick-off party on Friday with free dinner. We just wanted to invite you.”

The change on these students faces was worth all of the time and money that went into this project. We tried to capture a few photos along the way.

There was something so wonderful about being able to give something to the student community, and the one and only thing asked in return was an invitation to a party. It was a beautiful time. Thank you for all of those who prayed and participated in this event!