90’s Summer

A Church-Wide Season of Renewal.

JUNE 1ST - 30TH

A Quiet Rebellion in a Distracted Babylon.

Less Scroll. More Soul.

This June, we’re entering a churchwide season of spiritual renewal — disconnecting from distraction and reconnecting with the Lord, one another, and His creation.

For one month, we’ll take up a simple rule of life aimed at wonder, slowing, community, and renewal.

The Rhythm

Entire Month

Read & Gather

This month, choose a book to read (we’ve got a recommendation). And invite others to a gathering: at your house, a park, a restaurant, or other location of your choosing.

Weekly

Sabbath & Play

Each week practice a Sabbath: 24 hour period of intentional, spiritual rest. And find weekly opportunities for physical recreation (we’ve got a list to get you going).

Daily

Read & Pray

Each day read from a gospel (you decide how much) and do morning and evening prayers (you decide how long).

You Decide:

Challenges to Choose From

This month, we’ll also have unique challenges to choose from to help us towards wonder, slowing, community, and renewal.

The Rebellion

Limit Digital Media

For the month, we’re limiting or removing as much digital media as possible. What that could look like for you:

  • No social media scrolling

  • No short-form entertainment videos

  • No phones at the table

  • No phones in the bedroom

  • No leaving the tv on in the background

  • No app-based games like Words with Friends or Candy Crush

  • Kick AI to the Curb!

The Heart

Everything is aimed at embodiment, community, wonder, and renewal.

This isn’t about legalistically trying to prove ourselves through denial and self-discipline. It’s about regaining lost ground around an embodied way of life. We’re not trying to be perfect - we’re trying to be present. Babylon keeps us distracted, hurried, entertained, and isolated. So we’re practicing a quiet rebellion: shared meals, shared tables, shared experiences. Time spent outside and time spent with the Lord. Working, creating, and cultivating with our hands. Lastly, give your brain the gift of “destimulation” and don’t be afraid to embrace the lost art of being bored.

A Book Rec.

Read whichever book you choose this month but if you’re looking for a recommendation, we’ve got one for you. This 90’s Summer plan was highly inspired and adapted from Josh Nadeau. He’s got a book that we’ll think you like.

Room For Good Things to Run Wild

But, it’s literally about becoming a Saint — and says the main path to get there is through wonder and embodiment.

It’s 40 chapters, perfect for a transformative journey.

And it is definitely perfect for a summer read.

The Challenges

Make Something

  • Woodwork or whittle

  • Sew, knit, or crochet

  • Paint or Draw

  • Sculpt with Clay

  • Garden & Grow

  • Write a Poem or A Letter

  • Start a doodling journal

Go Somewhere

Recover Simple Fun

  • Board game night

  • Crossword or Sudoku

  • Read a magazine or newspaper

  • Pack your lunch in a lunchbox

  • Sleep outside

  • Eat every meal outside for a day

  • Power Outage Night: no electricity after 6PM

  • Grab a puzzle from April Sound Church’s Puzzle Lending Library.

Resisting Your Phone

Smartphones have absolutely changed the way we live, think, and do life together. This 90’s Summer, we invite you to consider some healthy habits to help fight back and re-wild.

Phone Habits for a Less Distracted Soul

  • Set screen time limits and stick with them!

  • Delete distracting apps for the month

  • Turn your phone to grayscale mode.

  • Use a real alarm clock

  • Prefer long-form content over short-form content (think movies, not clips. Books not tweets).

  • Turn off app notifications

  • Create a “no phones after _________” rule and establish a time for being off your phone for the day.

  • Create a “no phones until _________” rule and don’t let your phone screen be the first thing you see in the morning.

  • Choose paper when possible: Bible, notepad, calendar, books