Heartland Conference UCC
  • About
    • Our mission
    • Our staff team
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Churches
    • Associations
      • Central Southeast Ohio
      • Living Water
      • Northwest Ohio
      • Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky
    • United Church of Christ
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Camp Homepage
    • Templed Hills Gallery
    • Take Camp Home . . .
    • It All Started with a Dog
    • Events Calendar
    • Share Your Gifts
      • Join the Annual Gathering Team
    • Connect
      • Recent Posts
      • Fresh from our Blog
      • Twitter
    • UN Seminar
    • Donate
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Faith Formation Resources
    • A New Vision
      • Vision Team Documents
    • Frequently Requested Documents
    • Grants, Scholarships & Loans
      • Campus Ministry Grants
      • Ohio Ministry Scholarships
        • Scholarship Application
        • Reference Form
      • UCC Grants & Scholarships
    • General Synod 31 Follow Up
    • Demographics/Mission Insite
    • Faith Formation After Camp
    • Video Recordings
    • The Steward
  • Networks
    • Westphalia-Heartland Partnership
    • Women’s Lantern Fellowship
    • Disaster Ministries
      • Disaster Ministries Kits
      • West Virginia Bridge Project
    • Heartland Interim Ministry Working Group
    • Our Ministry Partners
      • Kentucky Council of Churches
      • Ohio Council of Churches
      • West Virginia Council of Churches
      • Center for Progressive Renewal
      • Insurance Board
      • SARA (Resources Abroad)
  • The Hills Are Alive!

Digital Ministry = Incarnational Ministry

January 4, 2016 by Ohio UCC Team in Church Life, Conference News, Connections, Digital Ministry
Digital Ministry = Incarnational Ministry

by Nicole Havelka, Minister for Resourcing, Networking and Creativity

Because of teaching online classes, attending videoconference meetings and doing so many other digital ministries, I go to conferences or other wider church events and frequently meet people in person (or in 3-D, as some people say) for the first time after having known them for some time on these online platforms. When I meet them there’s usually the initial awkward beat of recognition as we search our mental databases for just how we know each other. We usually follow that moment of pause with a warm handshake or embrace as we get to know each other in a new way. As we part ways, I’ve sometimes uttered the phrase, “It’s so good to get to know you in ‘real life.’”

But, that phrase just doesn’t work. We already knew each other in ‘real life.’ I’m as ‘real’ on Facebook and videoconference as I am in person. There’s just a different medium creating the connection between myself and other people.

“Real Life” is what we’re all about in the Christmas season; the “realness” of the God who comes in the form of the child Jesus. To help create even more “real life” connections in the Ohio Conference UCC, we launched a “12 Days of Christmas campaign.” We set the goal of having 120 new connections formed through Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest in those 12 days. Many of you have already taken up this challenge. Thank you!

We are SO CLOSE to that goal and would LOVE to smash through it! With the links below you can easily like or follow these pages. Maybe you’ll even use this challenge as an excuse to get your first social media account.

 

PHOTO__HolyExperiment__profile

Our Holy Experiments Facebook page, Twitter Feed and Pinterest boards inspire and nurture your creative spirit, giving you the contacts and resources you need to innovate your ministry.

Our Ohio UCC Facebook page and Twitter feed keep you abreast of UCC news and events in Ohio and beyond.

People often say these connections are superficial, just an excuse for people to share narcissistic, banal details of their lives. But, in the Christmas season, we are reminded that God is very interested in the details of human life, having become flesh in the Jesus child. I know that when I share a photo of my dinner on Instagram or Facebook, it’s a way to share dinner with friends. Through Facebook and Twitter I can keep up with the friends I’ve made over the years who are scattered throughout the country and the world. When I post an idea or question about ministry, I connect with a whole world of colleagues I could never possibly see in one place in person.

Digital ministry IS incarnation ministry.

So, I invite you to find out for yourself. Build this community with us. Become part of the conversation that helps connect us beyond the four walls of the church and even your local community. I promise we need your gifts, perspectives and ideas in the mix. All you have to do is to follow the links above and like or follow us. It’s that easy to be more connected.

Rev. Nicole Havelka, Minister for Resourcing, Networking and Creativity

Rev. Nicole Havelka, Minister for Resourcing, Networking and Creativity

Nicole Havelka serves as the Minister for Resourcing, Networking and Creativity in the Ohio Conference UCC. You can also connect with her through social media: Nicole Havelka and Nicole Havelka Consulting on Facebook, @revnhavelka on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Tweet
Share
Pin it
Previous StoryFaithful Leaders Get Out of the Way Next StoryChurch of Thomas embraces doubt, arts and experimentation

Upcoming Events

ABOUT US

  • Contact Us
  • Our mission

JOIN US

  • Get Involved
  • Make a Donation

Find us elsewhere

Heartland Conference UCC 2020