from the folks who brought you the game, "hide and go poop" we have a new prank for those who live in the world of corporate usa. not sure how this would work for me at the church. but it would be fun to confuse a whole congregation.
my second life : the methodist cyberchurch
so in one of my postings yesterday. revmom brought up checking out the cyber world of "second life." now i have never been a simulation game or virtual reality person.. i’ve never been a that person at all. so this world is quite foreign to me. however, i do see this coming as one of the next mission fields or the next social networking medium being avatar based.
so i followed her instructions.. and then got left on my own, i think i canceled the reminder/guide thing they give you for the orientation island. wandered aimlessly, lost my clothes, but then got my digs back on and made it out into the "real" world.
now an interesting part was walking around and seeing people that you know are people somewhere out there in the actual world. i didn’t talk with anyone. i am shy that way. i didn’t mind bumping into them as i still had a hard time walking straight for some reason. i made it over to the koinonia church. it was quite pretty.. for something not real. i checked out the list of services and all that. i don’t know when, but i’d like to make it back to see the church in action. i had a seat in the cozy sanctuary area. after that i wandered
i stumbled upon, not to far away from koinonia church was a methodist church. low and behold part of the british methodist church at that. they had some wesley stuff, organ, bell, the whole set up. i even tried to preach a sermon.. to no one of course. then it was over to some other really odd places..
i ended my stop at a monastery.. a nice peaceful time to rest after teleporting and flying all over the place. yes, flying & teleporting, this is real you know. &:~D
i don’t see this being my thing. but in ways, this was engaging, fascinating and fun. time consuming as well, so maybe i can be quicker next time to get in and out. who knows. i do think if you have yourself some energy to take on a bit of a challenge it is worth it to familiarize yourself with this or another world. there are seeking people in all parts, even flying around in a second life.
shift away paper : willow creek student ministries conference
in two weeks jason and i will making a trek to willow creek for their "shift" conference. which is their student ministries conference. if you are going, let me know, i’d love to meet up. i am sure that i will be blogging the event. it is kinda a cool thing, i am going as a guest of the willow creek student ministries staff. they are covering my registration costs for me. i thought that was very nice of them.
so i’m picking up the room tab, jason is getting the car and we are going to have a heck of a road trip. i look forward to hearing from some people i call friends and being challenged, inspired, and maybe agitated by some new people and scenes. should be good times!
one thing that they are doing that is super cool. they are not doing any handouts as a conference. everything is pdf. this is a cost saving thing sure, but for someone like me or those people who have blackberries & iphones this works perfectly to save on a thousands and thousands of pieces of paper.
In an effort to "go green" this year, we’ve made a lot of choices to
cut back on how many printed items we hand out at the conference.
This
year, for the first time, paper copies of breakout handouts will not be
available. While some speakers may choose to bring handouts of their
own to their breakouts, the only handouts the WCA will be making
available will be in PDF format and are now available online here.
i applaud the effort. there is just no need with the tech savy that is generally found in most student ministers. plus, myself & others can check into the event before it even starts.
shameless title : save the hymnal
well, the hymnal isn’t in a state of saving yet, but there is continued talk of revamping it and putting in and taking out hymns. i am far from the expert on the hymnal, but it has been an important tool in our spiritual formation as a methodist community. i remember reading some person’s critique of the last update to the book of common prayer that it made the episcopal church too liberal. i know there is a lot of pull on both sides of that argument to take out hymns because they are not fitting of an ideaology. imho there is so much depth in there to get nit picky seems silly. so i am suggesting everyone revisit the newly opened survey (tip to david) to throw in your thoughts. be heard. more from the gbod.
monday music : getting the led out some
one of my favs of led zepplin