Reflections

I remember about 10 years ago overhearing a mid level management executive in his 40s talking to his colleagues.  He smugly predicted that their “generation” of executives would be the last toget by without becoming computer and internet literate.  He made no effort to even inform himself about what new communications were coming down the pipe with the computer age, even though his company offered classes and training and free laptops to those who would take the initiative to learn.I am not surprised that he is no longer a mid level executive with a Fortune 500 company.  Did his resistance to learn about and even embrace the computer age cost him his job?  Hard to say.  When companies are downsizing and trying to run cost effective organizations, I’m sure they must look to a person’s willingness to keep up with new technologies as well as their skill sets when making the difficult decisions about cutting positions and reorganizing.

For years, as computers, email, and internet connections have made huge impacts on everyone’s lives, Unitarian Universalists have been struggling with how to integrate these new technologies into their faith communities.  Not so long ago, it was argued that it was a matter of justice and equality to provide hard copy as well as electronic communications and documents.  People argued that not everyone could afford a computer or had the resources necessary to gain computer skills.  But as time marches on, we find that people are now replacing the phrase “give me a call” with “send me an email.”  People have access to email and the internet at work, school, public libraries, internet cafes and often, in their homes.  Now, emails are used to send out agendas for committee meetings, send in newsletter submissions, and broadcast announcements.

Do I think that computers will totally replace paper and pen?  No - I hope not.  There is something wonderful about writing a note to a visitor or a thank-you to a volunteer.  And I know that children love receiving a postcard in the mail outlining an upcoming Sunday School class.  I also know that just as with other multimedia genres and public places, we need to supervise and guide our children through computer and internet experiences.

But, I am embracing this technology.  This year, I even got a MP3 player.  Just as with other areas of my life, I try to live in balance. 

Balance is not always easy to find in this world of media streaming into our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  When I moved into my current home, I “had” to get satellite TV because I was too far from a tower to receive decent signals from local TV stations.  The second week I had the dish, I found myself in a daze at 2 a.m. watching RFD TV.  It was a  show of a polka festival from New Ulm, Minnesota.  Having one time lived in Mankato, Minnesota and indulging in the “John Deere Bandwagon” a time or two as a goofy college student, I found myself watching this obscure polka show, thinking I might see someone that I recognized doing the Shoddish.  It was an ah-ha moment for me.  A literal wake-up call to account for the precious time that was slipping through my life.

I know that it’s easy to have one of my electronic devices steal my time. So, I make deals with myself.  I’ll spend as much time surfing the web or watching TV as I spend outdoors, or on an art project, or journaling, or reading a book.   And when I am home, I will not multi-task.  It works for me.  I want to embrace the new world that is knocking at my door, but I want to stay connected to people, nature and my spirit.  

These days, I ask people how they like to communicate.  I don’t spend as much time on the phone as I used to, and I don’t use as much paper and postage as before.  But the important thing for me is, being present.  Being present on the web, being present by phone or in person.  How would you like to communicate with me?

loriallen@inebraska.com   (402)483-2213 or here, at WordPress.com.

See you in church -                                                             Lori 

Meet My Growing Family

Here is a picture of me with my grandson, Victor.  This was taken at his naming ceremony in the Black Hills of SouthDakota.  My daughter, Mallary, met Victor’s dad, Doc, at The University of South Dakota at Spearfish.          

Dale, my partner, at Victor’s naming ceremony

                  

My daughter, Mallary and her partner, Doc.  They live and go to school in Missoula, Montana. 

My son, Ian and his partner, high school sweetheart, Heather, holding Victor.  Ian and Heather live and go to school in Madison, Wisconsin.

 Finally, here’s Molly.  Molly lives with me and spends three days a week at the Tabitha Intergenerational Day Center.      

Molly and I will be traveling to Missoula later this week to see Victor and his mom and dad.  We haven’t seen them since Christmas break!  Check back for periodic photo updates.  Soon, I hope to be adding pictures of Dale’s grandsons and children to this space.  Stay tuned!

Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Kindergarten-First Grade Students            Beginning April 1, parents of kindergarten and first graders and their children will meet together for this self-awareness curriculum.  Parents are supported in educating their children about families of all sorts, bodies, personal safety, birth and babies. A weekly homework project promotes dialogue between parents and children.   Sessions will be held during Sunday School Class time.  Parents should go to the K-2 classroom with their child after the Children’s Story in the Worship Service on April 1, 15, 29 and May 6.  Bruce Raymer and Tracy Schrotberger facilitate.  Please contact Lori Allen if you have any questions. 

  March Senior High Youth Group Meetings

Wednesday, March 21  6:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Social Action Sundays - March 18 and 25, 2007

This month we will be building on the Social Action Committee’s Justice Sunday theme of Darfur.  While this topic as a whole is daunting to children in elementary school, it is important for us to share that some people in our world live in very scary and unsafe situations - such as Darfur.  Keeping in mind that we do not want to introduce traumatic information for our elementary and middle school children, we will be learning about Darfur from the angle of “A Year in the Life of a Young Girl in Sudan - Halima.”  This is a Washington Post article that shares the everyday realities for families who have had to leave their homes in a hurry, taking only what they can carry.   The article is well done and speaks in generalities rather than explicit details.

One of the focuses of our class will be to learn more about living in Sudan in any particular political setting.  What is the climate like?  What are houses in the rural areas of Sudan like?  How do the possessions of Sudanese families compare to the possessions of families in Lincoln? 

Another focus will be to promote awareness of the situation where families are being displaced and separated from their loved ones.  Some of the children will be making paper doll cutouts that we’ll be posting our the front lawn of our church on Sunday, March 25, with a poster asking people to “Pay Attention to Darfur.” 

These are only a couple of the activities that we’ll be working with during these two multiage Sunday experiences.  As always, we need and welcome parents’ support for lesson presentation and/or support.  You can reach Lori Allen at loriallen@inebraska.com or 402-483-2213 if you’d like to volunteer or if you have any questions.  Or, you can comment to this post!

See you in church!

The Unitarian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska

Hello, and welcome to my blog!  As the Director of Religious Growth and Learning at the Unitarian Church in Lincoln, I will be posting interesting information about our church and about me, personally.  I hope you’ll find useful and inspiring information here.  Please comment on anything you see here or that you’d like to see here.  Come back often, as I am just beginning to learn about blogging as I begin this task.  I look forward to being in communication with you.