is not an oxymoron!  We’re just a little slower than some (but faster than others!)

This post is a summary of a Synod of Lakes and Prairies training entitled, “Technology and COM/CPM”

The video clip of the cultural anthropology class can be found here

A definition of Web 1.0 can be found here

A definition of Web 2.0 can be found here

The image of the social network of Jesus can be found here

The help section of Skype is here and an unofficial tutorial is here

***** UPDATE*****  I discovered that some of the information on video conferencing was not quite accurate.  Skype calls with video are limited to two parties, or basically two computers.  So a group could gather at each location but only two cameras/computers can be used.  Skype calls without video (voice only) can conference more people (computers) in.  The exact number appears to be in dispute.  I apologize for the confusion on this topic and will post another update with clarification next week. 1/31/09

Google docs is explained here.  A tutorial is located here

Technology can be a great help but remember it’s only a tool!

RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication.  In other words, it’s a simple way to publish or spread information that has been posted on a web site.  If you are new to reading blogs, you might wonder, ‘how do you know when something new has been posted?’  For example, my family has a blog that we share and I just checked.  No one has posted anything since July 10th.  If you were a regular reader of my blog, I suspect you might have given up checking for new post by now.  But, if you were to subscribe using an RSS feed, then your web browser would tell you when a new post appears.

Wikipedia says this:

RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works – such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video – in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a “feed”, “web feed”, or “channel”) includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds benefit publishers by letting them syndicate content quickly and automatically. They benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from favored websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader”, or “aggregator”, which can be web-based or desktop-based.

You can find the RSS feeds on any web site by looking for this icon.

But if you’re like me, even an RSS feed requires too much attention which is why many web sites also offer email updates.  If you sign up for this service, every time a new post is published, you’ll receive an email with the content of the post and a link to the original site.

Finally, there is a third alternative.  Google offers a service called Google Reader.  By typing the web sites you want to follow into the ‘subscribe’ box, Google will keep a list of all your ‘feeds’ and then you can read them whenever you want.  Doesn’t get much easier than that!

By now you’ve probably guessed that the Presbytery’s web site now has live RSS feeds and email subscriptions available.  Stay connected to Winnebago Presbytery and the PC(USA)! Sign up today.

This is my confession.  As much as I love technology and what it does for communication in the church and the rest of the world, I have been slow to adopt some of the more popular social networking programs.  I still don’t Twitter.  But I have joined Facebook, in part to keep up with the Presbyterian Church.

I’ve learned a lot in the last three weeks, first having attended General Assembly but also as I’ve kept up with some of the conversations that are happening as a result of GA.

If you were following this blog during the Assembly, you may have noticed links to the new Presbyterian Outlook site.  Presbyterian Outlook is an independent publication that covers (and has for many, many years) the Presbyterian Church.  They recently merged online with a group called Decently and In Order and the result is the newly designed site. It’s a great place to start reading online about all things Presbyterian and provides more links than you ever thought possible to the many, many groups that are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

So here is my encouragement to you.  Find a conversation and jump in!  Facebook isn’t as hard as it seems and you might be surprised at how quickly you’ll become connected.

Every church in Winnebago Presbytery has a CVLI license which allows congregations to use and show videos. Whether it’s for a youth lock-in, a Sunday school class, an adult education hour or a movie clip during a sermon, the CVLI license gives permission to use copyrighted material.

CVLI is now providing a new service to its members. Each congregation should have received a letter with the following information:

As I am sure you are aware, CVLI has been involved in an on-line illustration and Movie Scene download service called ScreenVue. ScreenVue has committed to a large expansion of its service and, effective immediately, CVLI is proud to give a complimentary standard membership to every CVLI Member Licensee.

The standard membership provides free access to over 1,200 illustration ideas on ScreenVue.com from major movies that you rent or purchase. Each scene idea includes a movie summary, scene summary, themes, scripture references, plus valuable insights and suggestion for using a scene effectively.

It’s a GREAT research tool, designed to work hand-in-hand with your CVLI License, helping you find that perfect movie illustration to enhance next Sunday’s sermon or class!

The letter you received gives log-on instructions and your individual license number. Because we purchase a group license for the Presbytery, this service is free for every congregation. (The standard membership does not allow you to download clips however, downloading privileges are available for $34.95/year.)

Can’t find your letter – call Member Services at 888.302.6020