Always
surround yourself with people who lift you up, rather than hold you down.
Donald
L. Hicks
My loyal readers, all three of
you, may recall that every so often I award the distinction of “One of the Most
Interesting Second Life (SL) Residents I’ve Met” to someone, who obviously is
one of the most interesting persons whom I’ve met inworld. (Significant Other is impressed with my knack
for turning a phrase.)
I’ve only made this award
twice so far.
The first time was to Morsmordre
Furman for her creativity as a builder inworld.
The second and last time was
to Perryn
Peterson for his community building activities and assistance
to those in need in SL.
My criteria for this award is
simple. I look for exceptional
contributions to the SL community, someone who stands out, and someone who we
can all be proud of.
I haven’t made this award for
a few years. For one, nobody seems to
stay around as long anymore inworld. For
another, my own wanderings to and fro in SL may have prevented me from staying
around long enough to find recipients. (Significant
Other nods knowingly.)
Recently, however, I’ve met
someone whom I thought was worthy of this distinction!
This individual has not only
been recognized within SL by his community for his efforts on their
behalf. But, Real Life (RL) has also
recognized his efforts inworld a short while ago.
He is long serving inworld and
really addresses what SL is all about.
The recipient of this year’s
award for the most interesting persons I’ve met met
inworld is the Rev.
Jerome Newstart of First UCC!
Jer, as he’s known to all who
know him, is a minister with the United Church of
Christ (UCC) in RL and was responsible for the establishment of First UCC inworld
with the intention of ministering to the spiritual and other needs of its
congregants inworld. (For the record, First
UCC welcomes all regardless of religious affiliation. They even let me hang around and I’m on the
watch list of the Inquisition.)
But, there’s more!
On November 5, 2016, First UCC
was recognized as an official member of UCC the same as any bricks and mortar
church in RL.
Just in case, you haven’t been
paying attention, this is a really big deal!
First UCC is not a
roleplay. It’s not a club that happens
to be associated with a RL church. First
UCC has the same rights and responsibilities just like any other UCC congregation
in RL.
Pretty cool, huh?
This is what SL was supposed
to be all about. A meeting of virtual
and real worlds.
Many have tried this and
failed. IBM, Toyota, and The Gap come to
mind.
Jer with the help of his
congregation made it happen. In
particular, First UCC serves the needs of the LGBTQIA community inworld. Many of whom are isolated from others in
their community and First UCC is there only connection with like minded
individuals.
I met with Jer as I selected
and he was kind enough to take some time from his busy schedules in both SL and
RL to talk with me about his achievement.
I asked him in looking back,
how did he feel after this long journey?
Jer replied that he was a bit
relieved to have this part of the project behind them. It's always a challenge doing something for
which there is absolutely no precedent he explains. Adding that now a new chapter can start. And for him, of course, it's been a
heartwarming journey.
Jer told me that there were no
real difficulties per se along the way.
Just some challenges that included crafting new bylaws for the RL church
to allow for a virtually located church, things like that.
What made his journey easier
was being blessed with great support from the UCC and their Conference and Association. People who didn't quite understand it were
willing to go on recommendation of those who did support the concept.
When asked if Linden Lab (LL) provided
any assistance, Jer replied that he wasn’t not sure LL even realizes they have
a real church. But, he is grateful for
the discounted price that's for sure.
(First UCC is a 501 (c)(3) public charity so qualifies for the reduced
tier cost.)
Jer said that the vision for
First UCC got refined in two ways during the recognition process. First, First UCC realized that their ministry
model needed to emphasize community.
Second, it became clear that folks from marginalized groups could
benefit directly and they began to make their LGBTQIA welcome foremost.
Inquiring if there will be
changes at First UCC because of its RL recognition, Jer says not drastic
ones.
And, they're hoping to continue
to expand social activities and add worship opportunities as well. First UCC offers some form of worship every
day of the week at present. Hopefully,
there will be an increase in worship opportunities. First UCC would like to add a morning Psalter
service for folks from the UK and Europe who would benefit from an earlier time
availability.
I also learned that First UCC
is currently streaming its inworld services into RL. The
Thursday service (Pastor Josh) serves a
RL church in Lincoln, Maine. His service
is at 4:00PM SLT, 7:00PM EST their time.
He projects the viewer from his computer on the large screen in their
sanctuary and folks who come to that service participate in both RL and
SL. Jer says that it’s quite marvelous
interaction. Prayer time is done jointly,
both hear the sermon, and it works wonderfully well.
Jer works hard to keep First
UCC running. Between their website, lots
of work with folks one on one who need someone to talk to, and the general
business of managing this church he’s working over twenty hours a week,
sometimes much over. But, he’s not complaining!
He’s glad to be busy. It means they're
doing what they ought to be doing. In
addition in RL, Jer teaches an online history and polity course, volunteers on
a local observatory team, and serves on the Executive Committee of his Association. He’s not currently serving an RL church, but
that could change.
BTW Anyone out there who would
like to join First UCC and help out, they would be more than welcome!)
Jer has two major lessons from
the recognition process.
First, stick with it. It takes time to grow a church.
Second, do not cut
corners. In seeking full standing they
made sure to do everything they needed to do to the letter. They did not want to be regarded as having
received special treatment. That, Jer
feels, lends credibility.
Jer believes the real reason
for their success is all their volunteers.
They care immensely and their members and friends are just plain
wonderful. Jer thinks they are a
positive force in people’s lives, and they’ve been told as much, but the care
they reflect makes everything worthwhile.
Jer is presently writing a
book about his experiences. He has a
draft manuscript being reviewed by an editor now. His next step is find a publisher. (Can anyone out there help please?)
Being named as one of the most
interesting people whom I’ve met in SL is a rare occurrence and goes to folks
who make a difference inworld and who sometimes can extend then to RL.
Jer does all that and more!
I congratulate him and thank
him and his team for all their hard work in helping the
residents of SL both
inworld and in RL! I look forward to
seeing more great things from them inworld!
I’d like to thank Jer for
taking his time to meet with me and for permission to use the pictures included
in this story.
More information about First
UCC can be found on their website.
As always, I’m grateful to all
inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was
passing through their lives.
I can be found on Google+ as
webspelunker Ghostraven.
On Skype I’m webspelunker
Ghostraven.
I welcome feedback from
readers, please either comment on my blog or
e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com
.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Open roads
and kind fires!
