Our Newest Pilgrim !!

The picture is a tad blurry, but the smiles are broad and sincere, and it captures a moment in the middle of sanctuary that was, thanks to technology, shared via Facebook, with at least one member of our flock who has been absent from our Sunday morning services. While on one hand this is a 'new' use of technology, and may strike some as strange, it is very much in keeping with the historical legacy and spirit of the Congregation that calls St. John's home for over a Century.

A reading of the Church archives revealed a decision in the early 1900's to run a dedicated phone line from the Church to the house of a member who lived nearby and who was unable to attend worship services due to the challenges of age. In their decision, the Board of the then Methodist Church, felt such an action was a way to honour this gentleman and his family for their service and dedication to their life and ministry.

In a unanimous decision, they strung the cable, and began 'broadcasting' their services to the nearby home so they could be included in the circle. Today, we simply reclaimed that same spirit by snapping a picture of the newly baptized young man and his family, then during the next hymn, I used my iphone to post the picture to a photo album on Facebook, and within the hour, the picture was viewed online by one of our flock who wasn't there this morning.

What a wonderful use of technology to ensure inclusion, even from a distance!
But more importantly, what a wonderful way of ensuring that technology is vital and central to the ongoing ministry of The Church in the Grey Highlands! Now that the first step has been taken (or in this case, re-taken), stay tuned, we'll be trying things like this again!!

For the moment - a warm welcome to young Marshall, who is the latest in a long line of family members who have called St John's home through several generations!! It was a wonderful service !