Virtuality – Virtual Community at Work

It’s Sunday morning. I’m sitting at my dining room table, drinking my second cup of coffee, and reflecting on community. I’m struck by the reality that for many years of my life “community” was often defined (in language, not necessarily praxis) through the church…at least on Sunday mornings. But this Sunday morning, I’m struck by the reality of community, mutual support, and connection that can actually occur through social media, networks, and virtuality (I know that’s not a word, but it seems to fit…).

Earlier this week I enjoyed an hour with Alison Jensen, a professional photographer who was recommended to me by Candice Caldwell of Fashion Ethic who I met through a women’s entrepreneurial organization called Ladies Who Launch that I found out about while talking to a Julie Pearce, a pastor in Texas at Irving Bible Church. Alison took pictures of me and my friend Andrea (whom I also met through Ladies Who Launch). We wandered through the back alleys and main streets of Kent – while she took us to ingenious little spots that provided backdrops and settings for unique and professional photos. It was not only fun, but successful. The photos are incredible and it’s actually hard for me to believe they are me.

But here’s where community comes in…as if the list of hyperlinks in the above paragraph weren’t enough to make my point! Alison has now posted two of my photos on her Facebook page – promoting professional headshots. And what’s more, she’s used my name and provided a hyperlink to my website. Because of such, there are more people who have either commented or given a thumbs-up via Facebook, Judy Stone Goldman and the above-mentioned Candice Caldwell, Denise VanEck (a friend from the midwest), and Jennifer Harkins Garone who I don’t even know.

I’ve now updated my Facebook Status to link back to Alison, promote and support her, and spread the love.

What if church understood social media as a template for building community? What if, just be the mere sighting and mention of someone we know and appreciate, an entire web of relationship and shared connection could result? The potential is staggering.

So, this Sunday morning, like most anymore, I’m not in church. I’m on my laptop. And I feel no loss for community. I feel surrounded, known, seen, and connected.

I can hear the critiquing voice (not mine, but potentially others’) that says, “Well, this isn’t the same, Ronna. You’re not actually in relationship with these people. You’re not face-to-face. Something significant is missing.” To which I respond: I am actually in relationship with these people…some whom I know personally and others whom I do not. We are now intentionally about the work/joy of connecting with each other and spreading that energy and “virtuality” far beyond where it might have gone had we been shaking hands across a pew. It’s a different kind of significance. No less meaningful. Maybe, frankly, even more so. More than just words – it shows up in praxis.

It’s Sunday morning. At church it is often said, “Let’s pass the peace,” meaning: let’s shake the hands of those around us and say “hello.” So…from my dining room table, in my home in North Tacoma, I’m passing the peace to my ever-growing community. It matters. It’s real. It’s gratifying. It’s significant. I’m grateful.

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