Ministry brings technology to community

A new ministry

This year we have launched a new McAllen District Web site, www. umcmcdistrict.com.
Helen Fenimore is our Webmaster. She is doing a super job, visiting our local churches, taking pictures, doing pastoral profiles, posting sermons on the Web, and generally improving our district and conference communications. We even have a Camp Thicket Web site.
Helen is beginning an important ministry in our name. Her vision is to be in ministry to our neighbors through computer literacy.
Many of our schools are posting children’s homework assignments on line to enable parents to be informed and help their kids with homework.
Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore!
Helen is organizing computer classes for adults and youths in several of our local churches. Her concept is simple:
n Youth groups and youth group leaders are always looking for something to do.
n Churches are always looking for ways to engage young people and include congregation members.
n Various agencies in our communities have excess computer equipment and furniture available to nonprofit organizations.
n Most district churches have a room they could use for a computer room.
Helen is offering computer classes taught on the ABC computer program. Cost of the three workbooks is $30 per person. Half of the $30 is used for printing the workbooks; the other half is kept for computer maintenance.
Volunteers can teach the classes. They are beginner classes.
Here is how Helen says the project can be done:
1. Take advantage of free equipment and furniture given by community agencies.
2. Designate a computer room at each church.
3. Let youth groups build five computers, keeping one for themselves.
4. The four additional computers can be used in the district church computer rooms.
5. Extra computers and equipment can be sold to congregations at a minimum cost. The proceeds can be put back into buying hard drives, etc.
6. We can get the Windows 2000 operating system for $5 each.
7. Computers are not ready for use. Most need parts (hard drives, memory, CD drive and operating systems).
This program has been used in libraries, community centers, schools and universities here in the Valley for more than three years.
Camp Thicket will be offering a computer camp for youths. First UMC, Donna, is beginning this project, and First UMC, Weslaco, is considering participation.
Helen’s e-mail address is hafenimore@hotmail.com
I am excited about this program because it resonates with our Wesleyan DNA so profoundly.
Sunday school was begun for the purpose of teaching poor children to read. Wesley began printing tracts and religious books to “spread scriptural holiness throughout the land.”
These days, computer literacy can be the difference between being employed or unemployed.
I look forward to seeing all of you at annual conference.