Here are the challenges for out new theme - how communications technologies can enhance and detract from our journey of faith. I hope that there is something here to grab you all. No obligation, of course, but it would be great if as many people as possible have a go.1. Have a technology fast. Give up some form of technology that you might be a little bit addicted to, and see if God talks to you in the gap. What that means will vary from person to person. It could mean no TV for three months. It could mean no email after 6pm. It could mean no mobile phone for weekend. It would be great to hear how you found it.
2. Create some silent time and space to meditate on these Bible verses:
1 Kings 19:11-14
Luke 5:15
Psalm 4:4
3. Try out a new form of communication technology in worship. Make a Nooma video. Make a video-link with another church. Podcast SofaChurch. Start twittering.
4. Write down your reflections and make a pledge to do something differently with regards to your use of communications technology.
With all of this, again we aim to publish the responses as a way of marking the progress we've made.
In the mean time, please post your thoughts, ideas, tips, resources on the blog so that we can share our ideas.
1 comment:
While you guys were at SC tonight thinking about this topic, I had a mini technology fast of my own (broken now, you might notice!)
In the house on my tod, I'd usually make a cuppa, find my sewing and stick a comforting DVD on to half-listen to. But tonight, I've sat quietly. Still sewing, but in silence nonetheless. While sitting, I had the idea to write this poem.
DROP
Drop the constant chatter of Radio 2
Drop the constant chatter full-stop
(Why not try listening instead?)
Drop the desire to be published,
To be read and known
Drop the desire to be applauded, to be a winner.
Drop the running after things
Ball up the Kidston catalogues
Stop click-clicking Freecycle
Abandon e-bay and
Slam the laptop shut.
Drop the glossy magazines,
They tell you nothing that is true.
Make pockets of quiet space
Drop the constant rush-rush-noisy-busy
That is your day.
Drop the 'Friends' as surrogate friends.
Turn off the i-player and look up at the sky.
Drop the all-consuming preoccupation with appearances;
Drop like a lead weight the fruitless pursuit of perfection.
Embrace mess; embrace brokenness; search out life.
Drop the sense of what matters being this room, this stuff, this place.
Look up; look past all this to what can't be seen.
Drop the luggage you heft around with you all day
Run, dance, sing, fly.
Be frail; be vulnerable. Hurt. Mourn.
Take risks. Don't look before you leap.
Drop common sense and being careful.
Take off that heavy coat that you have created and wrapped tightly around yourself -
The padding of stuff that you cling to
So much stuff that keeps you safely protected and apart from others.
Shrug it from your shoulders and shiver -
Delight in your vulnerability.
Let your prayer become:
"Drop thy still dews of quietness,"
Be still long enough
To let me remind you once more
That I am your God.
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