​Staying Encouraged and Connected in a Disconnected Time

As a 60+ woman who knows my way around the computer technology I have to use every day at work, I’m not one who jumps at the idea of another “learning curve” every time that technology morphs or new platforms emerge that are going to “make things so much easier.” Groan. But maybe like you, the Covid experience has catapulted me further into that learning curve than I ever planned on going! I am grateful for how “online” possibilities and the internet have allowed many of us to keep working and innovating in these months. And staying connected by mediums such as Zoom. I’m Zoom-grateful! Really.  But after about 3 months of doing almost everything that way, Zoom-fatigue set in. And as one who loves being WITH other people (I mean REALLY in-person WITH) I long for the restoration of those experiences. I have so missed being at church together. I miss Venture and Christ-Care and Bible study in-person. I love the opportunity we have to grow in relationship with God and each other as the means by which Jesus matures His disciples. Exploring His Word with His People as His Spirit teaches us!

Those of us serving on the Adult Discipleship Team have been concerned about how we can all stay encouraged in God’s Word and in community in these days when we aren’t able to be together the way we want and need to be. We hope RightNow Media is part of the answer to that prayer. With the lack of healthy, relational opportunities, it’s so easy to get way too much input from news and social media sources, our own heads, TV shows that don’t contribute much to our overall well-being – tempting us to be discouraged perhaps! RightNow Media is a way to get some healthy input from a variety of teachers and respected sources to feed our hope and courage in the Lord in these days! And these quality videos can be enjoyed on your computer, on your phone, or on your TV. It’s easy to set up and easy to use. And you get a huge selection of very short to longer videos that are Bible studies or sermons, many filmed in gorgeous and interesting places around the world! Our hope is that you will find encouragement and inspiration as we navigate the challenges of our current circumstances. And I have to believe that God will use the time we put into our personal growth this way, to build us up in surprising ways for the future!

So give it a try! It’s free to you! If you haven’t signed up yet, do it! If you can send an email, find a website, or watch church online, you are more than qualified to use this easy resource. You can find the link on our 1stPresDowntown.org website. Just click the link, sign up, and off you go! Explore the huge number of titles, pick something that sounds interesting, and watch a RightNow Media video instead of watching TV or Facebook or Netflix for a change of pace. You’ll be glad you did!

As more of us start using RightNow Media, we may be able to start some online groups together, to watch and study and discuss together for those who are interested. Or do some church-wide devotional projects together as we can all watch the same thing from home. And honestly, as busy as life was before Covid, this may be something we add to our normal in-person offerings when it’s hard to leave home for other reasons. New possibilities! So let’s keep learning and growing together through RightNow Media. We have a subscription through the end of the year to see how it might benefit us as a church family more long-term. At least for now, RightNow Media is a GIFT to keep us centered in the Lord and in our connection to our 1stPres family.  Enjoy! (Need help? Call Sam Logozzo . . .).

Yours faithfully, Wendy

Wendy Wilson