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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2001 |
St. Joe equips churches for the computer revolution
By Matthew S. Carlisle
Hoosier UM News Staff Writer
Listen closely next Sunday at your local United Methodist church, you might hear words like network, webmaster, hard drive or CPU. Slowly churches of all sizes are joining the computer revolution. Whether the church computer is used solely for word-processing or is connected to a network, there's no doubt computers and the Internet have become part of our daily lives.
In the spring of 2000, Fort Wayne's St. Joseph UMC developed a computer ministry that not only furnishes churches with needed computers but provides the necessary education as well. Originally the brainchild of neighboring St. Paul UMC, St. Joseph UMC took control of the ministry after the sister church closed its doors.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Sid Gauby, St. Joseph has built a computer lab where they can offer such educational opportunities as beginning computing to advanced processing. Members of the congregation volunteer their time to educate local church leaders and members. The church currently teaches six classes to a mix of ages. According to Gauby, "We've seen young students and seniors … the average age is around 40." St. Joseph hopes to open the computer classes to those living in nearby low-income housing.
As organizations and individuals donate their used computers, a team from the church makes needed upgrades. Anyone who has owned a "slow computer" can tell you, the right upgrade can make all the difference in the world. Many of the donated computers have come from Parkview Hospital and generous individuals.
The computer ministry has become so successful the church was forced to find a warehouse to store the donated computers. Currently, the warehouse is filled with the pieces and parts for 120 computers.
To learn more about this ministry or to make a donation, contact the Rev. Sid Gauby at 219/485-9681.
Last updated on 01/14/2004