It is a good question.

I'm busy and not taking part in direct discussions.

Thank you, Chansen.  Good to know.

Besides, it's probably best to hide me somewhere until the UCCan agrees to something.

I know, my basement.

I was wondering about updates, too, Red. It's like every body died.

The one you are currently renovating?

Well, everyone needs a meaningful occupation.

i hear he's contracted some architects from saudi arabia to make a suitable shrine of play for all the children in his neighbourhood :3  y'know, indoor skiing, jelly baby jacuzzi, hot n cold running cheese string fountain...

Pinga has been the point person for contact with the UCCan team (since she is the only one of us three who is actually a UCCan member right now). Hopefully she will either chime in with an update or let chansen or I know what is up so we can give an update in this thread.

Mendalla

Thank you, Mendalla.  Good to know.

I just started 2 new posts on United Future initiating discussions of vision and mission.

I need a paying one. Meeting my old boss for lunch next week. Jenn is scheduling a similar meeting sometime after next week.

And today, I was in my neighbour's basement. Long story.

Jim, can you provide links to your posts? 

I am not sure how Jim's posts are relevant to this thread Redhead. But maybe I am missing something. 

I suggest that posts regarding the future  of WC,UCCan are related, and so are other topics and threads - hence asking Jim wherein he posted his threads.  Readers, posters, People, are looking, seeking and turninng.

Jim's posts are timely and relevant, perhaps moreso than this thread.

http://www.unitedfuture.ca/jimkenney12/let_s_start_a_discussion_of_mission

http://www.unitedfuture.ca/jimkenney12/let_s_start_a_discussion_on_vision

Jim's threads don't seem to be about WC at all, but if you want them, there they are. Besides, the newest threads on unitedfuture.ca are the only things that are easy to find on the entire site. Just click Participate>Discuss&Share and they are the ony two threads on your screen.

Again, I can't believe that's true, but you only get two full thread previews with the number of "reactions" on the "Discuss&Share" page. To see more you have to scroll down.

Thankfully, Stephen Booth has commented on the mission thread. The UCCan must be hanging on his every word.

Odd choice of words.

There have been a few deaths which have resulted in this item not being #1 priority on a few people's schedules.

I have reached out to Aaron for an update, and have also reached out to Mendella and Chansen to ask about their availability for dialogue.

Good to know you are still working on it, Pinga  Thank you.

I apologize, Pinga and Chansen. I meant that the WonderCafe.ca is very quiet. Wrong choice of words.

No worries. I know what you meant.

Hi Redhead,

The following link takes you to United Future discussions.   There are several interesting threads, but, as chansen mentioned above, it is currently a very awkward site to use.  Aaron has posted that, now that there is a critical mass of participants, they will be modifying that site.

http://www.unitedfuture.ca/vision

Thank you for your kind comments.  A thread I started on that site about ease of use was temporarily derailed by a conversation between Stephen Booth and I.

I so appreciate all that Pinga chansen and mendella have done and are doing to work with UCC to find a means of recreating a wondercafe.

I think the implementation and support of United Future and announcement of closure of Wondercafe by UCC the way it took place gives, at least to me, an indication of their intent in this situation.

I'm trying not to squash the enthusiasm of Pinga chansen and mendella, but I would sure hate to see them invest a lot of themselves trying to save something that perhaps the UCC has no intention of salvaging. Perhaps the UCC needs to be more forthcoming about this. At least this is how I see it with the little bit of knowledge I have received. I have yet to receive a response to the emails I sent.

I can't disagree with that assessment. We need more answers from the UCCan, and they are not enthused to discuss it with us.

Perhaps it is time to get serious...

I suggest we all email Mardi Tindal.

Everybody - please think of some sort of meaningful protest that will make them change their mind.

I have decided to stop wearing eyeglasses until the UCC submits to my will. It is not a small sacrifice. This is me heading to work last night.

Do something people... Tick Tick

Edit/ duplicate below

Lol! Did it again, SnP! Made me laugh. From time to time you surprise me.

I am going to state that I am quite disappointed in the United Church of Canada's paid staff from a professional level.  I say that to ensure that you understand my own personal frustration and so take the following with that edge in mind.

#1.  Communication

The communication has been a challenge, whether it be from a perspective of getting the initial news or having any next steps dialogue.    The expectations that I have for a professional to deal with their end users or customers is much higher than being delivered by the United Church of Canada.  My customers would have had me written up by now if this type of ignoring and lack of communication occurred in anything that I support or provide as a service.  I have requested a phone call, made myself (and others) available for a call, etc with United Church of Canada staff and that has not been forthcoming.   I have not named this lack of support previously, but, I am doing so now as my frustration is high. It results in  a sense of lack of integrity and desire to work together for the best outcome. I will tell you that I named this as BS in my last exchange, and poor Aaron takes the brunt of my frustration.  

#2.  Next steps

My sense is the United Church of Canada staff, though thhey aren't communicating  here or through other means in any formal manner, are still looking at options.   I have been hesitant to do anything because of those actions and a trust in their intentions.  As time goes by, my trust in their comprehension of the capabilities available and model/soptions of service continues to slide, as does my trust in their desire to actually drive this to a resolution.  Call it my "bad days", when I get fed up.  

#3.  Observer communication

A few months ago, i was asked to write a short piece for the observer due to various thread re wondercafe closing here and on facebook.  I was reached by phone & email, after being put in contact with them by Aaron.   (noted as communication is available and has been utilized) This was a good conversation and method, and I was able to write the piece for them.  This piece was brought forward a month, then moved out a month.  I do not know why the shifts, other than it is typical with magazine layouts, but it is possible it is being timed with another news item.  I have not asked.  I presume it is still going forward as I have not heard otherwise.

#4.  customer communication to service provider (ie your email to the powers that be)

I have no idea how many folks actually sent an email to those we suggeted earlier.  In some ways, it may have been the wrong thing to do, to ask for people to send an email, as if the volume was too low, it sends a bad message as well.   something to consider.

Having said the above,and read dan's response I am ready to throw in the towel, and move forward with a separate site, which may or may not have any connection to the united church of Canada.

Mendella and Chansen have agreed to a phone call with me, and I will be scheduling for tech discussion.  We will then come forward with proposal, questions and problems to be resolved and ask for suggestions and feedback

I appreciate the offer of professional services by the United Church of Canada staff, but, given the lack of skills or availability of resources we are currently seeing and the lone timelines with little delivery, I am not sure why we would engage the United Church of Canada staff in the intial time frame, maybe later for a redirect, but, even then, I am more likely to ask folks to put up a site and links to "new posts", such as "last post" or "room for all"...we can put directions around that for assisting for transition.    I am aware that I may be breaking relationships by stating that, but, truly, I am seriously disappointed in what I would consider basic business services. 

Editted: I want to be sure that folks read this correctly.  I say "I".  that is my personal posture.  I would not do anything or act on anything without a minimum of Mendella and Chansen.  In addition, i know they are of the mind , as am I, that though we are technicians, that this is a community...so..please recognize that i know the variety of gifts present in this community..  You are hearing the frustration of someone who has tried to present options, get details, have conversation to little avail.  This is SO far from what is even remotely considered reasonable in my world, that i am gob-smacked by the same responses time & time again.

Redhead, thanks for asking.  You prodded me to followup as well, and get kinda grumpy

Appreciating your honesty, Pinga.  

Thanks for all your efforts on everyone's behalf . . . p3

I think it would be great if you guys go ahead. Getting a link on the original site is the most we can expect. We are we surprised?
The UCC is first and foremost an organization and only secondly a group with religious values. Same disconnect as on congregational level, it has to go its hierarchical way and the business plan says the experiment is over. Off to new experiments with other names.(what s Instagram?)
Is the next generation due to short attention span going to be keen on ø bible in text message style and one sentence discussions?
Who knows. I am probably just getting old.

Instagram is at best a photo sharing site

It's a website where you post pictures of the food you're about to eat. As opposed to Facebook, which is where you tell people you haven't seen in 20 years that you're going out to dinner tonight.

Twitter is where you tell random people that you're full.

These are the sites that Dan Benson thinks will take the place of Wondercafe.

Lol, thanks chansen

The comparisons are naive at best

Sadly the lack of comprehension on so many levels is part of my frustration

I can focus my frustration better than you can.

It is interesting to me that Dan Benson said (paraphrasing) that he was sorry he couldn't come to Wondercafe.ca more often. Poof , he had 7 years.

I hate being stroked. Say what you mean and mean what you say but be the church that I thought we were.

I am saddened that you have spent so much time and patience trying to deal with this BS on our behalf Pinga. Thank you for trying to get straighforward, simple answers to our questions.   I don't blame you in the least for feeling frustrated and disappointed.  It seems such a small thing to request from another - the civility of open communication.  Everyone using WC is an adult and perfectly capable of understanding English - it seems demeaning when one is forced to accept that they are being jerked around.

For someone like me this situation merely cements my previous experiences and observations about organised religion.  

I'll watch for further developments from the "Committee" who have generously volunteered to try to set up a place for WC to continue into the future.  It is very hard for me to contemplate the numbers of people who place a lot of reliance on WC for their sense of connection - many being 'shut-in' by illness or physical difficulties, located in remote areas and so on.  This community has been invaluable to so many people over the years - and far more accepting to individuals than any UC congregation I've known in real life.  

Hi chansen,

 . . . . . . . . .  .

It isn't that I have no words.

It is simply that all the words I have are ones I would be ashamed of later.

Grace and peace to you.

John