While we were at the Conference Annual Meeting for Saskatchewan Conference of The United church of Canada, we had theme presentations challenging us to examine where we may need to be going as a church in the context of our society and culture - how we be an emerging church.  Much is changing in our lives and with what people, especially younger people, are looking for from church, spirituality and spiritual nurture.  The challenge is how are we as a church going to respond to these changing needs.  The first presentation showed a video called "Did you know?-Shift Happens" Technology and how we connect with one another is changing rapidly. You can see how much by watching this video here. A question for the church is what are we doing to use or address this technology?  Another question may be, do we need to?  This website is an example of something we have done to use today's technology as part of our ministry.  We have seen the benefits as people find us online, like what they see and come to check us out.  I have recently learned that texting is replacing e-mail for youth.  After seeing this video, I have been spurred me on to use Facebook to reach our youth.  I have a Facebook account but really had not used it much.  This year, as I work with Camp fYrefly I have been using it more for promoting the Camp, connecting with campers from last year, and informing those interested about meetings and other activities to get involved with in relation to camp.  There are youth I have connected with through Facebook that I probably wouldn't have connected with via e-mail.   So I have set up another account, that I will only use for Sunset Youth and have invited the Sunset youth who are on Facebook to be my 'friend'.  I intend to use it for connecting with the youth, promoting events, sharing and discussing ideas for programing, and discussing issues of interest.  It is a new way of exploring ministry.  As we move through these times, it will be important to explore new ways of being church and reaching out to others while upholding the importance of gathering in community and meeting face to face.  Are we up to the challenge?  For the sake of the church and if we want to reach younger people - those under 45- I hope so!

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• |88.105.115.xxx |2010-06-14 13:05:47 Allison Hui
  Great to hear you're trying something new and getting more into Facebook. While I am still somewhat uncomfortable with the privacy issues related to using it, I do think it can be a great tool for connecting people. Hopefully you can not only share information with youth in the church, but also potentially help them to become closer friends with each other.
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• |24.72.32.xxx |2010-10-13 17:30:06 visitor  - your the best
  russell your the best ever!! blessings
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