It was pointed out in Room For All that my post was missing a piece of text..  I need new eyes and fingers...

Dan Benson is Head of Communications General Council Office.

(>-.-)> *Peace* ~ Beyond ~ *Peace* <(-.-<)

Steven A. Breeze

That's all well and good for those who are in the United Church of Canada, but do you think he will care at all what the rest of us have to say?

I would hope so , Dcn Jae. If wondercafe has touched your life, I hope you will write to him and tell him about it. 

I'm not in the United Church of Canada.  I was married by a United Church minister who is my friend.  I'm going to write to Dan Benson and share my story about how Wonder Cafe and it's unique diversity has affected my life.  How it has helped to shape my spiritual journey from the myriad discussions that have taken place in the forums. How Wonder Cafe is a place of sharing from the heart and healing to those with broken, shattered lives.  How it's allowed people from such diverse backgrounds to come together in Peace & Harmony and share openly of themselves in mutual respect.  That Wonder Cafe may be virtual to the everyday man, but to us here on Wonder Cafe it's a Congregation of unique and very special people who have something to say about Wonder Cafe and how it's touched their lives.

Just some of the things I plan to share in my letter.

(>-.-)> *Peace* ~ Beyond ~ *Peace* <(-.-<)

Steven A. Breeze

I don't understand why Dan Benson couldn't click  Social on the WC and read our comments there?  Aaron could inform him?  Does he have any interest in the WC I wonder?  I could send him the thread link? His email is on the UC website, it doesn't seem to be a secret?

Wolfie, do you realize that there has been very little participation in general on the WC  from the UC congregations across Canada or its ministers? I mean considering the size of the UC? I'm sure there are  lots of lurkers who aren't posting or responding.  I could write down the names of those in the UC  who are participating  or have participated. My overall impression is that many of the UC congregations are not interested in the WC or it may be that  the older people do not have computers. I'm sure this has some bearing on closing the website aside from finances. There's a possibility it may be an embarrassment to some in reference to what we term some  flame wars in the past.

P.S.

A UC retired minister conducted my husband's funeral in 2009. I'm not affliated with the UC.

Edit : According to the net there were 525,000 UC  members as of 2011. The WC did have a membership of approx. 4500 (last I heard) including whoever who wished to join, all religions, UC ,  or no religion,atheists,  secular etc.

Hi Stardust...

my reference to congregations, was that church congregations have been known to get into writing to the local this or that representative to let their feelings and voices be heard.  It couldn't hurt for the Wonder Cafe Congregation, (Us the users). To write and share.

Yes true it's easy for Mr. Benson to log on to Wonder Cafe and read as easy as people sending him an e-mail. I think we need to be heard and do any and everything we can possibly do to try to keep Wonder Cafe online.  And you won't get any argument from me about how many UC congregations may well indeed not be interested in or have any concern about Wonder Cafe. Again my reference was to that the users here on Wonder Cafe are like a congregation.  And as such should voice their feelings to people that might need to hear it. 

(>-.-)> *Peace* ~ Beyond ~ *Peace* <(-.-<)

Steven A. Breeze

This is a quote from the latested Comprehensive Review Team report

"What if we thought of evangelism as going confidently and joyfully into the world and inviting people to take their faith journeys in community with us, instead of waiting for them to walk through the doors?"

I remember the Moderator keeps saying something similar.

Clearly, by their definition, WC is fully in line with their "future plans" of evangelism and even proven to suport and strengthen people's faith journeys as descibed by many people here.

The Moderator has his own blog- I suggest to show up in it with a link to our WC discussions next time he talks like that again.

Sending a link to Mr. Benson can't hurt either.

From the reading I've done WC does seem to be on the cutting edge of the changes in Christianity (especially the mainline denominations.)  What could possibly be more forward looking than this sponsored intentional community (or congregation if you prefer that word). Just imagine where this concept could go, what it could add to our world (with minimal pollution).  As someone who has despaired of finding a place in a church building this offers a bit of space and air.  Most importantly, there is no roof to repair, no grass to cut, no heating bills, no fundraising for an air conditioner.  We have an unofficial  Ministry team both ordained and lay and opportunities to support each other.  Those are things I wanted from the church buildings I went into and didn't find.

However, I'm not holding my breath that anyone in the Decision Making Office will listen or care.  This is just another example of a denomination doing one of the things churches (in my experience) do best - spinning words, saying one thing but doing the opposite..   

mrs. anteater

Gary Paterson is a doll. I love him. I have listened to lots of his sermons. Yes, I've been reading on the UC website about their  evangelism  hopes and efforts also.

@Wolfie...Yes, I'll speak up. I'll prob. send Ben Benson  the whole other thread on Social  with all of its opinions. I'm sure there is a team of people working in his dept. Waterfall inquired about the state of the  UC finances in relation to the WC  ( on the other thread). The financial reports are available but they are a bit complicated for average people to decipher and understand. All we are hearing is that the WC  website upgrade costs money. Nobody has come forward to give us an estimated cost.

 I agree Stardust.... I know I've been away from Wonder Cafe for a long time.  But, you have all never been out of my thoughts and prayers.  I honestly at this moment in time don't know what will become of Wonder Cafe.  I don't want it to pass into cyber oblivion without a fight. Having served on both Congregational and Oversight Boards. (at least I think the other was called oversight. it's been years since I was on it.)... I can relate to how financial reports are complicated to decipher.

It would definitely help us to know what kind of costs we are looking at. Shouldn't this information be open and available to us? or at least to people of the United Church of Canada?

I'm still praying that a Miraculous thing will happen for Wonder Cafe.  That is if the members of Wonder Cafe's Congregation don't mind the prayers of a Druid.

(>-.-)> *Peace* ~ Beyond ~ *Peace* <(-.-<)

Steven A. Breeze