Let Your Fingers Sing!

Many young adults are spending of their live online – an almost 20% increase of time between July 2011 and 2012, according to research by Nielsen. The survey also found Young adults are the most active group of users of online technology, and this shouldn't be a surprise to us! Our activities online range from the banal – shopping to the sublime – like attending church. Increasingly, our online time is spent in spaces where we decide what happens- the so called "web 2.0." On social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, andTumblr, YOU decide the content that you want to see, share and experience. Content does not come from one fixed source from above – like on television or radio. Instead, it comes from your peers. That's right – you know the person who uploaded a cat doing funny things, or an inspirational quote overlaid on a picture... I invite you to think intentionally about how what you share and create with the world affects your online community. Do you allow racist or homophobic comments by friends or acquaintances to go unanswered? Do you respond with a gentle touch when someone is obviously troubled? Do you share your values and faith? Do you share your love? I'm not asking you to be pushy, or to feel afraid to make a joke or be snarky (as per Mr. Cook ;). Instead, I would like to remind you that ministry is not a passive thing that only happens on a Sunday morning. It is something that we do for each other constantly. Many people struggle through days or weeks without being told that they matter or that they are loved. Imagine the sadness and emptiness someone feels without words or feelings of love – maybe instead of imaging it, remember what it feels like to live it. But it doesn't have to be that way. During your online time today, do something positive for someone. Comfort someone who is suffering or going through a period of stress. Create something beautiful and meaningful and share it with the world – a goofy video, a funny picture, an inspiring quote, a personal insight. One of the ways to do this is with Choir, a powerful little app for Apple mobile devices (iPhones, iPads, etc.,) that allows you to create a series of images, add sound and text around an inspirational theme or story. They can be viewed on any device – mobile or computer. I created a Choir today on the bus ride to work (but that's a story for another day) based on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism. I hope you enjoy witnessing my Choir, and bringing joy to others with whatever online tools you use! - Shane.