The site has given me a sense that the average person is far more than average. It attracts people from many walks of life and gives us the freedom to share and question without fear of reprisal or ridicule. It has done more good (and hopefully will continue to do so) than any evaluation could hope to measure.

Hi Crazyheart -

I've got lots to say, but want to give it some thought so I can be clear and concise in my response. I'll get back to you soon.

I'm with Namaste I have things I want to say but I want to take some time with them.

We will wait

Greetings!

I feel passionate about Wondercafe! 

I first logged-on in July of 2007 and it took me until October of 2007 to finally post - up until that time I just read the topic starters and posts and got to know a few of the regular posters.  It was probably shortly after my first post that I placed my first Topic Starter.

Wondercafe has become a sense of community for me - a place where I have met and learned about others, and hopefully a few people feel like they have met and learned something about me.  I remember when I first signed on and one of the first posts I saw was by someone with an avatar entitled "Witch" . . . and I thought "Oh my goodness, what am I getting myself into here?"  It turned out that Witch was one of the many whom I learned about and from and eventually became one of my favorite posters.

Wondercafe has become a safe learning ground for me - a pleace where I have learned from others, and hopefully a few people have learned a little something from me.  It was a place where I could ask questions without being ridiculed or judged and receive a variety of answers.  If there were questions I had but was too uneasy about asking eventually someone did, and I received the answers anyway and learned about and from the opinions of others.  Over this time I learned about different cultures, different belief systems, different lifestyles - and for this I believe as a person and in my own belief system I am richer.  I learned that God does not fit in a little box, nor does worship, nor faith.  I learned more clearly that all persons have something to offer and are entitled to my respect, despite my differences with them and from them.

I have done a 360 in some of my theological thinking since being a part of WC and learning from others.  Perhaps some of my own, old bible studiers and church going friends might think I have been lead astray . . . dragged down a liberal United Church path.  But I don't see it that way, I see that I have become more open and understanding.  I may have started with a conservative slightly fundamentalistic christian viewpoint, but I find now I am more liberal in my understanding of God and God's people.  And this is because of the variety of posters who have shared their faith and their personal relationships here on WC.

I trust in God's guidance for my learning and growth here on this earth.  I wonder where would I be now without WC and all that I have been blessed with and all whom I have been blessed by.  I believe God led me to this community and has enabled me to learn and grow in it and through it.

Please don't take away our Wondercafe!

Hope, peace, joy, love ...

bumping this up so it will be seen by others

 Ok here's mine.  I've been a member of Wondercafe almost since it started.  I was, and remain, excited about the prospect of open dialogue and enriching conversation.  I'm not a prolific poster, but I read many of the dialogues.  I find myself thinking about things that I read throughout the day.  It engages my spiritual and intellectual mind and does help me feel a part of a bigger community. And has supplemented my experiences with my local congregation. Rounding them out so to speak.  

I haven't had any major crisis while I've been a member, but watching the community gather when people need it has been inspiring.  It's also a great place to come to get information about a variety of topics.  And you can be assured that you'll get more then one point of view.

What a revolution this website has been!  Maybe it didn't change the face of the congregations we're all used to, or the demographics of religion in Canada, but it is a congregation all its own, of people exploring faith, supporting each other, speaking out & learning about justice issues & politics & other important things.  The relationships & conversations here have helped me in my work in a real congregation, through personal learning, handy ideas for groups & programs, feedback, and even just hearing me out when I needed an ear. 

I am wonderfully amazed by the circle of friends who have supported each other through miscarriages, sick infants, sticky toddlers, rotten teens, and relationship & life issues - most people worked around the nasty s*** disturbers, and mostly, this site showed how people can come together even with 1000km between them.  Everyone I've actually met has been as amazing in real life as online.

It won't ever look like a real church, but Wondercafe offers a place for spiritual life that makes a real difference to many people.  It is a face for the changes that are coming and the laid-back, open & crazy direction it will take.   I don't know that everyone has time for it, or will respond the same way, but it embodies the culture we live in & the continuing interest in working through life's big questions, particularly in a Spiritual way.   I've always said the Observer described the UCC as I know & love it.  Now I can say, the Observer & Wondercafe.  Without the spirit of the cafe, the UCC has lost something vital to its future.

The whole Emerging Spirit program is exactly what we need to be coaxing & encouraging as our UCC learns what the next decades hold.

Wow! Amen to that!! Well said, Birthstone.

Social...

Social is where I come when I need to kick back, meet with friends.

Like coffee & conversation, it is where I catch up on the general stuff that is going on  with the friends I have come to enjoy.

Like social evenings, it is where we play goofy parlour games, and just are silly.

Like sitting at the pub after a board meeting, it is where we sometimes argue and rant at each other or about stuff....

I remember the hunt for  alucard.  I remember wolfie lighting the fire, and pulling up the comfy chair.  I remember sad news from admin  and amazing arguments.  I remember the strike, and the cross-country road trip with qwerty...and the amazing art show.  Giggles re nicknames created from silly mistypes.  Sigh's shaker. 

Like friends popping in, who have been busy..and how much they are appreciated, returning posters are greeted with glee.  "Heh, I just saw xyz over in ...."

Here is where we learned about on-line communities, about false identities, trolls and sockpuppets.   We learned about conflict management...more than we wanted to...

Social has a life of it's own....like the noisy group at coffee & conversation, social is where you pop in to get to know others....

Might I suggest people stop congratulating themselves and extolling the virtues of this warm and fuzzy community and perhaps take a look at all those it has insulted, humiliated, berated, evicted, pushed away, shunned and mocked.  Just think about them for a minute.

Wayoutthere - it has that - but not because it is wondercafe.  There are posters who enjoy the anonymous opportunity to be jerks,  but they aren't wondercafe, they don't fit in it well and I think I'm describing what I've found the overall site to be when I've sorted through the crap.

WC hasn't evicted anyone but the most horrendous personalities.  Many many of us have tried to smooth things over, douse flames. 

I'm not going to paint WC with the smear that is individual behaviour.  Overall, this site is what I have described.  No apologies here.

 Wayouthere--I agree with Birthstone's description of the dynamic. There have been some painful exchanges but I have seen some remarkable healing in the midst of them, as well as some turnarounds in individual behaviour, attitudes, etc. Overall, an overwhelmingly positive and inclusive environment for dialogue.

I have contacted The Observer by e-mail. They will send the request to the appropriate place and hopefully get back to us.

here is the reply. Suggestions as to what I should do now.

Thanks for your interest in the Observer.

Unfortunately I can't help you. We are not tied to Emerging Spirit and 
our resources for running our website are limited. Why don't you write 
a letter to the editor about the value of Wondercafe? It would tie in 
nicely to my April column and the news story we ran on Emerging 
Spirit. There would still be time to squeeze it into our June issue.

Best regards,

David Wilson
Editor
 

You could also send it directly to the General Secretary at the National Office. As far as I know, that's who makes the decisions about the future of WonderCafe.

Wondercafe brought me to the United Church and now I identify as a member and visit maybe once a month. It's been very effective at reaching my demographic. We have a lot of young visitors and regular posters and it's a safe liberal community for showing people what the United Church is like.

I love wondercafe and I feel very passionate about it. I think it should stay around.

I've made friends, gotten a lot of guidance and advice and respect and wondercafe has even helped me come out. It's my connection to the church and I want it to stay.

Thank you

I would have hoped that the Observer would want to put together a story on the grassroots support for the WC!!  Hmmmm.

A letter is good, and a submission would be good to just in case they wanted it.

I have been a member of wondercafe from pretty much the begining. It has been a wonderful experience for me and have come to view everbody here as friends. I think wondercafe should remain so it can be a source for people to connect. We are a community here.

I like you too CF

I have been a member of WonderCafe since December 2006.  It has become a daily part of my life.  Each morning I get up, I make the coffee, turn on the computer, feed the dogs and then sit down to read the latest.

I have found knowledge, laughter, solace, friends and some really great quotes.  I have seen people, myself included, grow spiritually and personally.

Is Wondercafe perfect?  No.  Are there conflicts?  Yes.  

There is also laughter, tears, anger, joy, tragedies and successes.  That is life and as in life, one gets from it what one looks to find.

I came seeking an open forum on religion and found a living community.

Gratefully,

LB

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.      Wilma Rudolph

Greetings!

I appreciate you sharing this, Kinst . . . that Wondercafe was what brought you to the UCC.

Hope, peace, joy, love ...