Emerging from Merging Worlds

Somewhere between my generation and yours real life changed forms, and the communication that used to happen face to face, by written word (snail mail) or telephone between friends, relatives and business aquaintances became communication that happens via internet (blogging) creating a virtual community that can connect people regionally and all over the world. It's real but it's different.

People use the internet today the way we used to use encyclopedias, card catelogues, the periodic guide, libraries, people. People used to write, make phone calls, sit around and eat or talk. Sometimes this amazing technology enables us to get far more work done than we would ever do without it. Sometimes we feel like it's really good stuff but it distracts us from "more important things". You guys will have a very different take on all this than my own generation just because you've been there longer.

How does this virtual world affect the kids you work with? How does it affect their faith? How does it affect the way that you work with them? What do you see in scripture? I'm guessing God had a reason for bringing Jesus into this world where and when he did. This particular era is unique as well. Given these technological tools what do you think your generation can accomplish that other generations couldn't? What about the kids you work with 30 years from now?

Another source for CM blogs

Here is a really interesting resource. It's a google/bloglines version of "people who read _____, read _____." You may have already seen it. Lots of CM blogs. Some of them, you already know about. Some, maybe not.

"A sidebar would be nice," they said.

If some of us were as technosavy as the rest of you, we would know how to list all these links in the side bar. :-)

Ok, so either you have to work harder and go searching for things when you come :-) or I have to work harder to figure out all the things I don't know.

Hard choice. :-)

When life slows down alittle, 5 chapters left. But as it turns out, (you might like to know) that the book Children Matter is the practical application book based on the first Children's Spirituality Conference (the version I've been reading) If you'd like to read what the experts are doing with some of this, that's the place to go.

Another blog

I think I forgot to include Christie's Blog (Days 'Til Sunday), last time I listed blogs. (This is not the Christie who lives at my house holidays and summers. This is Christie from Days 'Til Sunday. :-) Maybe I listed it a while ago. My brain is getting old.
Enjoy!

Serving Children in the Greater Community

As churches, we often want to do our own giving and attach our name to it when there are already an overwealming number of ways to give in our greater communities. Becoming part of things that are already happening saves you organizational and financial head aches (unless you chose to become a leader in that organization) and it gives you opportunity to meet and work with some wonderful unique people you might never meet at church-sponsored events and to keep them in your prayers. And whether you attach a "church" name to what you're doing or not, wherever you are and whatever you're doing you're still an ambassador in the way you respond to life, in the way you treat people, and in the way you do your job - even if you're not perfect. (Nobody is.)

I'm sharing this not so much as an advertisement but to share one way that one organization is giving to kids. You may have similar opportunities in your own cities, towns, and villages.

September 27, 2006

Give a Book You Love

The Rochester Education Foundation has just launched the Give Back, Give Books campaign, with the goal of obtaining 10,000 new books for city school students and city school libraries during the month of October.

Why give books?

• Many city school students do not have books at home.
• The average fiction book in city school libraries is about 20 years old.
• Providing books to children and school libraries is a proven way to help students become more successful academically and in the future.

Give Back, Give Books is an easy and tangible way to engage in the work of brightening the lives of the students in the Rochester City School District. Give district students a chance to read the great books you love!
How can you help? It's easy!

Donate New Books

Participating book stores include all area Barnes and Noble stores, Mood Makers and Lift Bridge Books. Books purchased at those stores will be collected there. Books purchased elsewhere can be dropped off at sites around the county including at all city library branches as well as those in Mendon and Penfield, and a number of other community sites.

Click here to learn more:
http://givebackgivebooks.org/donate_books.shtml

Easier yet? Visit the Give Back, Give Books website and shop online, using our lists of favorite titles, compiled through a survey of RCSD students and librarians:
http://givebackgivebooks.org/book_lists.shtml

Donate Funds

Not in the mood to shop? No problem! REF will happily accept your donation, turn it into books, and match them up with lucky kids or a library in need. Click here to learn more:
http://givebackgivebooks.org/donate_funds.shtml

But Wait, There's More!

How about an offer from the Amerks for a ticket to a hockey gave in exchange for a $10 book purchase? ...or news about a 600-book donation from the Scott Spino Foundation? ...or tips on building literacy in your house? ...or a weblog written by librarians in the city school district and their students? You'll find all this and more online at www.givebackgivebooks.org.

Pass it On

Help us spread the word about the Give Back, Give Books campaign! Please consider forwarding this message to a friend ...or a few. Thanks!


Rochester Education Foundation
info@rochestereducation.org (585) 271-5790