We all will have to let go to some extent.  WC2 will not be the same.

Curious though, why aren't you going to give the new site a chance P3?

The closing of WC is like the end of a chapter, Chemgal. A natural ending that I have been contemplating for a while. 

Yes, the site is too addictive, I find. With my iPhone in my pocket it's even more tempting to check the threads all the time.

Otherwise, I don't really want to let go. I do and I don't. It would probably be healthy to take a 'sabbatical'. I am curious about WC2 and apprehensive at the same time. Naturally curious and naturally apprehensive.

Sounds completely healthy to me, Kimmio. 

Paradox, I get that.

I see it at work.  A reorg is a time to look for a new job.  New software is time to go to a new company. 

I hope that you pop in once in a while, maybe reserve your name in case you decide to.

Pinga,

Yes, I plan to reserve my username. Will register it as soon as we hear it is time to sign up for WC2. 

As for popping in, that is not my intention right now. But never say never :)

P3, I'm feeling inclined in that direction, although I haven't made a final decision. It's altogether possible that curiosity may get the better of me and I'll check out WC2, but I have what I'm expecting to be a busier than usual summer coming up, and that in itself would restrict the time I have available. And, yes, the closing of WC feels like the end to me. I also mean no disrespect to those working to get WC2 off the ground. Just taking stock of priorities, I guess.

Part of my process is returning to a faith community in real life. Over the last two years, I have come to rely on wondercafe almost exclusively where matters of the spirit are concerned. 

Well, I need a place where I can yack with folk about religion and religious stuff and not be thought a "boring old church lady", as is the general opinion of my immediate co-workers. I'm a refugee from a site called beliefnet, which became entirely polarized around American political parties to the point of toxicity. I'll try WC2 happily enough, and I'm very thankful there's people around with the skills to help us duplicate this place in some way (and if it doesn't work out, I suspect I'll retreat back to an Anglican site I know and like well enough, despite or perhaps because of its UK focus).

I'm still unsure what I will do . . .

When I started with Wondercafe, my intention or desire was never to be a part of or take part in an on-line forum to discuss faith and spiritual matters (or any other matters as far as that goes).

I entered into Wondercafe because it was a venture of my church and I wanted to investigate it, support it, and help it to be successful with lots of participation.

That is what brought me here, and that was why I continued all these years.

I felt I developed community and relationships over the years, and I feel that if I don't continue with Wondercafe2 that will be lost.  And that is why I am struggling.  I don't want to "miss out" on anything, I don't want to lose anything, but I am not sure at this point that I will make the crossover.  And it is because of the tie to The UCC.  I don't mean that in that I think The UCC is super and the be all and end all.  I just mean that I am not an on-line forum type person, and when The UCC bows out there is a possibility for me that my reason for being a part of all this will be gone.

Will I be sad if I don't continue?  You betcha.  Will I miss the cafe and cafers?  You betcha.  But for me the cafe and what it means and represents to me (other than the community, relationships, and friendships) will not be there.

So, still deliberating . . .

I'm not an online forum type person either. I've read others but this is the only one I've ever really been part of. It's been a learning experience. A place to openly discuss faith matters I don't get anywhere else, even at church. And a place to learn about some of my strengths and weaknesses as perceived by others. And a place to develop friendships (and maybe some foes but hopefully that's a passing phase because I don't like people perceiving me as a foe- most people like to be liked) of a different kind than I'm used to- in this online environment. And I got hooked on it, must admit. I am not your average UCCan person. I came along to UCCan later in life, from no strong church background. A 'none' with tons of questions. Nevertheless, UCCan has been a pretty welcoming and safe place for me- and by extension- so has WC with UCCan as the 'host'. I am part of it, even if not a long time 'veteran' of all that has happened over the years- still learning.

Ditto for me. 

A few years ago I never would have foreseen myself being affected by or caring so much about changes to a website. Websites were just kind of "meh". Times change. It's been a subconscious change and now I'm looking at it consciously.

Hi paradox3

I understand you want to move on. I'm still hoping you'll change your mind. Do you think its possible that if you're not on the WC you will be on the computer in another capacity? I know I'm addicted to the computer once I sit down on it. If I don't touch it on a given day  I can leave it alone. I email family on a daily basis  so that gets me started.

I was reading in the Star that they have addiction treatment centers in China for the youth, sort of like AA I believe. I recall reading about marriages breaking up in Canada  because the wife was always on the computer......:) Some were falling in love on the chat websites and running away with a new lover. Not funny.

Rev. S. Davis, Beloved,  Kimmio, and Paradox3  please don't go. We need you.

Hi Stardust,

Before WC I used to play Scrabble regularly with the computer as my opponent. I use email now and search for information but that is about it. I don't think I will seek out another discussion forum when WC closes. 

Beloved, 

Thank you for your candor. I can see your dilemma - - you may be wanting to direct your efforts elsewhere when WC closes. 

Imagine how you would feel if you had been here 6 or 7 years like some of us! 

Seriously, though, I know what you mean. I had no idea that virtual communities like this existed. Or that it was possible to become so attached to one of them. 

Yes, I am doing the same right now. 

Sometimes it is hard to have these conversations in real life, even in faith communities. I have had some good experiences with church study groups but they are usually not as well attended as I would like. There is often more depth and breadth to our discussions here on WC. 

I remember an acquaintances husband mentioning that, when facebook got started, his wife who was a stay at home mom, was on FB constantly giving a play by play of the most mundane aspects of her day, posting photos, etc. and he was a little out of sorts about it. My husband is fine with me on WC unless I am upset about a topic. I discuss some of the threads with him, but since he hasn't been a member he thinks "it's no big deal" about all of these changes that I've concerned myself with. He has his own sports hobbies and a community of people stemming from one of his hobbies that I am on the periphery of, and that's okay because it's his thing. I guess this has become mine.

Kimmio, sorry to hear he doesn't completely get it.  I thought Chemguy would be the same, he thinks it's a bit silly and while he reads all kinds of stuff on the internet I don't think he's ever posted on a forum.  When I told him about the anouncement that WC was closing though, he really felt bad for me.

I too would like to take some of the time I'm spending here and get more active in the RL church and neighbourhood community in some ways. I've learned a lot. Time to apply it. I do volunteer and my paid work is for a humanitarian org. But there are other fun activities I could participate in that would be healthy and could also make a difference, whereas sitting here can become futile if it's too much time wasted.

Totally hear you, Kimmio. 

I think he's saying it to make me feel better and realize there are other things and people out there, too- other friends, other communities, people whom we care about and care about us, each other--- and WC is just one of many places where I can contribute my time and gifts. Add: my husband immigrated from a war torn country where half his family was on one side of the divide- a 'mixed ethnicity' family- the other half on the other and they are a tight loving family who has been resilient to major problems, poverty, illness, displacement, long distance seperation, cultural transitions- and because of that, the little ups and downs of life really need to be kept in perspective. He helps me with that. To my husband I suppose WC seems like a blip in the story of life.

So nice to have that understanding from your partner. 

Mine is happy with the news that I am planning to move on. I get his concern about the amount of time I spend here!

paradox3

The first forum I was on when I got my first computer was back in 2004. It was called Angelhaven, all about belief in  angels and New Age beliefs which were almost totally new to me.It had been running for some years before I came on the scene so it seems it had run its course by 2006 or so.

There were disagreements and some people split off to open their own personal  smaller forums which were sort of chat places like  our Room for All.  Many of the members kept in touch that way over the years.

The original  forum was run by a fellow in Maine who owned a jewellry store in which he sold a variety of angel jewellry. The forum was a side line not used by himself. One day I went there and it was gone. He had wiped it clean and sent us all packing without a word. He now has a lot of jewellry for sale on the website. 

There was a variety of the most wonderful people on that forum whom I will remember forever and ever for as long as I live. I didn't join their  various new forums because I seemed  to have wandered into the WC instead and stayed there. I was able to find some of them on forums through the years. Some of them were Native Americans, very friendly living  difficult lives, no U.S. healthcare, you can imagine. There was only one Canadian on the forum ( who has since passed away.)

Forums are peculiar places. When I go to bed sometimes the names of the people or the user names are running through my head, all the people I've met on the forums. You should hear my funny prayers for them...."Lord, you know such-and-such  on the WC or on Angelhaven".

I'm off my soapbox....Amen and Amen.

That's cute, re: your prayers, stardust. Thanks. :) I do the same- I think of people, and picture what they look like even if I have never seen them.

Hi Stardust, 

Some people say that internet forums have a natural lifespan. But I really don't know.  

paradox3

I've been browsing on some  forums since the WC is closing and I notice some are very inactive. Some of them seem to have been vacated and  the posts are very old. I've tried the odd thread and on occasion there's talk of a virus or problems, so I hitch hike out of there fast. I have a new Dell with 3 years repair  service paid up  but I've little patience to deal with India unless its an absolute necessity. I have lots of website  security but still I'm careful. 

.............................................................

Waves at Kimmio.....!!!...hello up there....!!

I would say the same about WC. I still remember many of the posters who were here when I joined up in 2007. So many folks have passed through our doors here. 

First time I was ever on a forum like this. It replaced  church. But I am not likely to find another church community for many reasons.

Hi Crazyheart, 

Hearing you re: WC replacing church. 

There are days when I wish I could replace church with wondercafe .

I do appreciate WC for the wealth of information (and opinion), and especially info about the UCC. Reading the Observer and attending a RL congregation did not get me a fracture of the info I got from here.
The nice thing is, here you can talk about deeper things and still steer clear of the gossip and stress that comes in RL groups, because as it seems to always turn out, most times there is someone who has something peace Making to say or the conflict simply runs its course.
If WC2 works for me will depend how relevant the conversation will be, as I am not into chatting.

Mrs. anteater, 

I have had the same experience  - - learning far more about the United Church here than I ever learned in a congregation or by reading the Observer. I can remember when the Church Life forum was created and I have found it to be a welcome addition to the site. Interesting that Morgan Hunter perceived an increase in the United Church presence on Wondercafe over time. 

In my first few years on WC, I was very interested in the R and F forum. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to explore some things that were on my mind in those early days. It was also a great place to discover different theological perspectives. But eventually it grew repetitive for me - -  I still open some of the R and F threads but often just skim over the posts. 

I still find it interesting that so many posters have come and gone over the years. Do they find what they need here and then move on? What has kept some of us coming back for so long? In my case, the fellowship in Social has been a big factor although I have not been one to share a lot of personal information. 

Good chatting with you, Mrs anteater, my fellow OT.

Pardox3, I wonder if you compared posters that come and go with members in a church that come and go, if you would see similair patterns?

Something to think about, for sure, Pinga!

As I get deeper into this process with Pinga and Mendalla, I'm really looking forward to letting go and making this move, for two reasons:

First, I think it's a fresh start for many of us. A lot of my frustration here is rooted in how this place has been run and left to rot. I would have left long ago if it weren't for some of you that I enjoy chatting with. I really do enjoy looking at religion from an outsiders perspective, because it's so freakin' weird. I have great fun with it. When I'm at my best, it's good natured fun. I'd like to spend more time in that mode again.

Second, this will be a much nicer place to be. It will look better, it will work better, it will have more bells and whistles, which we can all get comfortable with as time goes on. It will be easier to converse. Logging in through your choice of email, Google, Facebook or Twitter accounts will make things seemless. All the annoying little technical quirks or limitations of WC1 will be gone. The search function won't destroy your will to live, for example. John's right - I shouldn't compare this to United Future, because there will be no comparison to that place.

We're getting into my end of things now, so expect to hear more updates from me going forward. Missions statements bore me to tears. I care about having a place that works, looks good, and that you won't be embarrassed to recommend to your friends.

Hi Paradox3

I just got around to reading this  whole thread and  your comment about R and F being repetitious. I agree. Its because we've been here for so many years and a lot of the same  R and F topics have been repeated over and over. It just dawned on me : "Whatever would I find of interest to post on  R and F?" I generally skim over it. I notice that I've probably posted on Politics more than some of the other forums but it hasn't been very active  the past few months.

Chansen is definitely going to provide a first class website, trust me on that. I'm thinking and hoping that he gets some first class new adherents to appreciate and support it.

I appreciate this comment chansen, and your hard work. Thanks.

Just logged back on to say what Kimmio said. 

Good to have your perspective on this thread, Chansen. 

Yes, there is some very impressive work being done by Chansen, Pinga and Mendalla. It will be interesting to see how the WC2 community shapes up. Some of us may move on altogether and some old friends may come back. 

Reaching out to others who might be interested will be key. . . I really believe this. 

Appreciate your comments, chansen, and am looking forward to the new site.

With the present WC, find I have to take long breaks to re-charge, otherwise get bogged down in same stuff, reading similar discussions, etc.  Not blaming anyone else, but my own short comings.  If new site truly opens up possibilities to dialogue with other faiths, that will be exciting.

Thank you for all your time and work to get the new site operational.  We are fortunate to have people with expertise in this area.

On the issue of WC and church, I have never seen WC as a substitute for "church", but as a supplement. One UU tradition that has kind of fallen from grace as we move to become more "spiritual" is having discussion during, or at the end of, the service using the sermon as the topic. I'd love to have it back but I'm not likely to see it happen. So, it is nice to have a place to have that type of religious/spiritual discussion even as I continue to maintain my relationship with my "real life" church.

Mendalla

I mixed up where this should go but here we go.

Do you remember at one time we talked about how interesting it would be on WC to have ,for example, the moderator, Gretta  Vosper one or all of The Arrogant Worms, etc. to host a thread. Is that still in the works, maybe? They would probably want to get paid. But it would certainly be good marketing.

Mendalla, I am like you . . . I want, and will always want to, continue my relationship with my real life church.  No matter how much one enjoys wondercafe (or wondercafe2) or no matter how much one gets out of it or learns from it, for me - I need my real life church.  While wondercafers are encouraging and supportive - I need my "real" hugs and my place of worship.  My post was in reference to a post above mine . . . and, yes,  there are some moments in time when  it feels true . . . especially as we go through a difficult time in my real church.  But no matter the difficulty I wouldn't give it up - and by "it" I mean my people .

WC certainly started out for me as a supplement. I gradually shifted into using WC more as a substitute - - kind of a slippery slope situation over the last two years, I would say. 

Crazyheart, 

Do you remember when Gretta Vosper popped in here? We were studying her book, With or Without God. She joined us on a couple of the chapter threads. 

Bruce Sanguin also came by on one occasion as we were starting to talk about his book, Emerging Church. 

It was awesome to see the authors of our book study selections. 

But if I could choose from your ideas I would go with the Arrogant Worms :) They are so funny and also have many important things to say.

Lots of Worms fans on WC as I recall. 

First, I was on WC because as single parent I was stuck at home in the evenings. i was also stuck in a rural area and a rural church where nothing besides turkey dinners was happening. The other advantage of an internet website is that it is free to participate-
in fact, I think WC2 has a good chance if we could spread the word more, to draw in the shut ins, the ones that can't afford to go on expensive workshops, but want spiritual nourishment and exchange.
I do't know about other congregations, but here in rural NS with a dominant group of retired congregants, the most that's happening is a weekly bible study with the minister in the morning.
Nothing for the working age people. And when I started to gather a group for a book study, it was resisted for several months until I just wouldn't shut up.
How easy, compared to that, to start any kind of discussion on WC.

Yes, it is so easy and so accessible. And discussions here reach a much broader audience than anything we find in a local congregation.