Embracing Technology

I don’t know about you, but I find technology both fascinating and infuriating. Last Sunday morning we had technical difficulties at both Umina and Kincumber. We have no idea why. If I was into conspiracy theories, I would say that “someone” was deliberately hindering our worship. The reality is that technology sometimes fails, just like we humans – who make the technology – also fail. When we deliberately and consciously fail we have a God who understands, and who – if we repent – will forgive us. When our technology fails I give thanks that God has raised up people with technical skills at both Umina and Kincumber who can intervene. God supplies for all our needs!

You will be aware that we have moved the Umina Livestreamed services onto YouTube. It is much easier for the operators at Umina, and we no longer have the copyright issues that were plaguing us. That will be a great blessing when we next have a funeral at Umina, because we can livestream the services even if they contain material that is copyright. YouTube will tell us, and we can simply choose to remove that portion. Technology will be our friend!

I am also aware that finding the Livestream has been a challenge. Firstly, the QR code we initially put in Dove Tales expired. We now have one that should never run out! Secondly, the instructions haven’t been clear. I have now listed three ways in which you can find our Central Coast South UCA YouTube channel: via the QR code, via the Channel name, and via a google search. Please let me know if you’re still having problems. I have put instructions on the Broken Bay Facebook page, and they will soon be put on our new website.

Speaking of our new website, please note that it is a “work in progress” – a bit like all of us! We are gradually adding information to it. Steve Charman, the IT expert from Synod, is assisting us. The “Central Coast South Uniting Churches” page has links to the “Kincumber Uniting Church” and “Umina Uniting Church” pages. (Pages for the Kincumber Op Shop and for Central Coast Playgroups are currently being created by Synod). I have also been putting an amended version of each week’s Dove Tales reflection on it. Over time the website will change and grow, and help people to know us and what we’re doing. A bit like us: over time God’s Spirit changes and grows us, and will help us to be salt and light to the world. The link to the site is: https://centralcoastsouth.uca.org.au. (You can also find it by googling “central coast south uniting”. On My PC the link is at the top. We don’t’ yet have a QR code for it, but stay tuned).

The Livestreaming and our new websites are simply other ways in which we are “launch[ing] into the deep” (Luke 5). They are part of God’s plan from Jeremiah 31:11 to give us all “hope and a future” not just to we who are already here, but to those whom the Spirit is calling to join us. Pray that they may respond!

With hope and joy,

Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput)

Supply Minister