Hello, Online and Virtual Westsiders--We Have Plans For You!

By Kari K.

Hello, online and virtual Westsiders--we have plans for you!

Community is the new buzzword these days, and cultivating an intentional community is one of my favorite parts of being a Westsider. However, community isn't just an in-person experience. Due to health, work, driving distance, or numerous other reasons, many Westsiders cannot make it to the building each Sunday. Still, they're a huge part of our church, which is why a new team has popped up to explore our options in creating a safe online space for all of our members.

We are working to develop new ways to engage with Westsiders, including a Patreon platform that will help us cover the costs of hosting more regular blog postings (Rev. Carol mentioned starting a blog series about life on the farm!), video content focused on frequently-requested Adult RE topics, a forum space for congregants to discuss anything from guided questions about your spiritual journey to sharing your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and more!

Much can be said about the Internet becoming increasingly controlled by platforms and algorithms designed to manipulate how we feel or sell us products, but for many of us, the Internet has also been a lifeline to stay connected to others. Those of us working on this online project for Westside strive to cultivate a warm, welcoming presence for all our congregants whether you're in the building or at home on your computer. We believe in the right of our virtual participants to have a healthy online culture for themselves.

Because we want to design this space for all of us, we need your help and input to make this happen! What kind of new content do you want to see? What do you want most out of an online community-based platform? Are you social media savvy and want to join our team? E-mail us at connect (at) westsideuuc.org and keep an eye out for our launch this autumn!