The Citizen, 2016-08-11, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016.
From the Minister's Study
Finding technological balance is the key
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth and Brussels
United Churches
Recently, I have been reading and
hearing even more about social
media and internet gaming. The
debate about the good or damage it
is doing to our kids tends to run
along poles with little middle
ground. I hope to add some thoughts
to that discussion and if you have
kids or grandkids believe me you are
part of this issue. There is a great
little book called Digital Disciple,
Real Christianity in a Virtual World
by Rev. Adam Thomas. Thomas is
one of the first Millennials (someone
born after 1980) to be ordained as an
Episcopal priest. He has been and
still is an internet gamer. He has
never known a time without access
to a computer and was into cell
phones early on in his life.
Thomas notes "The internet has
added a new dimension to our lives;
we are physical, emotional, spiritual
and now virtual people. But I
believe that God continues to move
through every facet of our existence,
and that makes us new kinds of
followers. We are digital disciples."
In his book, he puts some bones on
that assertion and points out some
dangers with the internet. One of his
stories explains the benefit of the
internet. A university -aged girl
headed off to the big city for school.
She had been very outgoing and
confident in her rural community so
everyone assumed that she would
have no problem taking on the
world. After moving to her
apartment and stocking the fridge
she realized how alone she felt. In
less than 24 hours she called her
mother in tears saying how lonely
she was and that she didn't think she
could make it.
Her mother encouraged her to
hang tough and if things didn't feel
better, they would consider other
options. So the young student went
to a place in the city that had WIFI
internet access. She got online and
through the net connected with her
friends back home. Instantly the
miles melted away because she felt
connected and part of her
community again. On the net
everyone is as close as a key stroke.
It kept that girl connected and in
school.
The ugly side to the internet arises
from that same sense of closeness. It
used to be that bullies could make a
kid's life a living hell at school, but
once you left the school grounds you
were safe. Home was a sanctuary.
However, with the internet that bully
can haunt you to your bedroom or
wherever your computer is located.
My generation and older will say
Fundraiser now set
Continued from page 2
he's hoping to get the local Lions
and Optimist Clubs involved and for
the event to include a bar and some
food.
He also hopes that some of the
user groups will lend a hand in
running some events for the village's
children.
The Brussels Ministerial has also
contributed some funds to make the
evening as cost-free and great as
possible.
Shortly after the idea popped into
his head, Clark got in touch with the
CBC to inquire about the
fundraising event and he was
impressed with how quickly the
organization got back to him.
The CBC immediately liked the
idea, he said, and gave him a handful
of conditions that were easy to meet.
Clark is still looking for
volunteers, asking that if someone is
willing to pitch in that night, to give
him a call at 226-963-1175.
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Lining 111otter—
Cfirithout rdlatufftip
August:
VISITATION SUNDAYS
Next Worship Service:
September 4
Evangelical Missionary Church
Pastor: Ernest Dow - 519-523-4848
getlivingwaterory
As for that evening, he's hoping
that it will bring together the
Canadian feeling The Hip provides
to those who listen with the small
town feeling of coming together for
a local fundraiser for which local
communities like Brussels and Blyth
are famous.
things like, "well, than don't go on
the computer!" We simply don't
understand the degree of
connectedness or social necessity
that young people feel about getting
on the net. For them it isn't an
option, it means being part of your
peer group or being a total hermit.
Ah," we elders might say, "but it
isn't real." I am afraid it is very real
to every youth sitting at a keyboard.
Thomas says, "it's real because the
people tapping away on their
computers are real." Connecting on
the internet is like having a pen pal
who can respond to your letters at
lighting speed. Just like in days of
the pen pal a lot of life can and is
shared with the stroke of the pen and
click of the keys.
What Thomas does concede is that
without seeing the face of the other
we lose the nuance of how our words
affect the receiver. It's not that
technology users don't have
empathy. It's just that without that
visual connection a virtual wall is
erected between people and people
can be very nasty behind those
walls.
All walls have the potential to
isolate us from others and it doesn't
matter that it is `just' a virtual wall.
Isolation for humans is a dangerous
thing. It keeps us from forming close
relationships. It allows us to hurt
each other without noticing the
damage.
But God is in the business of
bringing us closer together and like
Jesus, can pass through walls to do
so. But the longer people stay
isolated the harder it is for them to
notice this Jesus who seeks
connection with them. They lose the
support of other followers and miss
out on the deep understanding of
what it means for someone to fully
know them. That deep knowing of
ANGLICAN PARISH OF NEW BEGINNINGS
BLYTH
Trinity
6. 9:15 am
Church Office
519-357-4883
BRUSSELS
St. John's
11:15 am
Church Office
519-887-6862
Everyone Welcome!
COME WORSHIP WITH US!
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
We invite you to join our church family in:
Worship & Sunday School - 10 am
Coffee & Snacks - 11 am
Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2
- a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and
made possible by the Brussels churches working together.
Nursery care available
519-887-9017
THE GOSPELAT WORK
This Sunday At HURON CHAPEL:
Our own world missionaries in training, Jason and Erin Baan.
Sunday @ 10:30am in Auburn - huronchapel.com
others is essential to comprehend the
depth that God knows us and loves
us. So Thomas suggests an
experiment and maybe even a
spiritual practice of taking a
Technology Sabbath. If you find that
you cannot take time away from
your computer (social media or
games) or smart phone then maybe
you are in an unhealthy relationship
with technology.
Thomas suggests that we take a
break or rest from tech. In the last
two weeks I have seen two places for
such a break.
The first one was introduced to me
by my Millennial daughter and it's
called an `Escape Room.' It basically
is a puzzle located in a room. The
clues to the puzzle are hidden on the
furniture and in the pictures of the
room. A smart phone is of no use
and you have to communicate with
the others in the room to solve the
puzzle. I see one has just opened in
Goderich and I am really anxious to
give it a try.
The second place is Camp
Menesetung where I helped with
spiritual development last week.
Campers are instructed to leave all
technology at home and counsellors
can only use technology during their
breaks and away from the campers.
The priority is to interact in real
time, face to face. Both these
examples don't mean that young
people will give up on technology
for social connection but it
does tell me that there still is a
hunger to use one's own brain
and to connect with people in the
flesh.
Finding the balance between
technology and no technology will
not be discovered in fighting about
it, but rather in creating spaces and
places where technology is of little
use or inhibits relationships.
Interestingly it is the millennials, not
we elders, who are creating these
places.
BRUSSELS
United Church
WORSHIP SERVICE
AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 am
Guest Speaker: Ruth Long on August 14
Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div.
Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224
blythunited@tcc.on.ca
Church bookings: 519-887-6377
Other concerns: 226-963-1175
You're Jnvited a join s 9n «Wors/ip
SUNDAYS
Morning Service
Evening Service
Lt
10:00 am
7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen
Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
Stuaael¢ eoHusr2lac'f'i&e eitaftee
You're 'lnvitec
to come worsh p
with us
Sunday, August 14
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and at various homes at 6:30 p.m.
from July 3 to Sept. 4
Sunday School for children
4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during
the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service.
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Blyth United Church
Est. 1875
Worship Service & Sunday School at 11:00 a.m.
J.eeco,e join to, bilis, Sandal"!
Sunday, August 14th
Guest Speaker:
Ruth Long
A« We[come
MINISTER: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
OFFICE: 519-523-4224