Nearly two weeks ago, we had a tragic shooting near our community. I don't need to go into details, but a young woman's life was taken. There were very little official details at first, but everyone in the community had their own version of what might or might not have happened. I didn't know anyone who was involved, and so while it was very close to me, it also seemed very remote.

I was still in my pj's at the time, but I knew that as a church, the best response we can have is prayer. so I got dressed and headed over to the church.
Here is where I realized that we have no great means of getting the word out fast to people. We don't have a calling tree. Most of our congregation doesn't regularly use email or check our website. But I knew that some of the people affected were on facebook.
I recently created a page for our church on facebook. I thought it might be a good way of publicizing events for our youth who are on there. And so far it has worked very successfully. But some of these kid's parents are also on facebook. So I created an event - a day long prayer vigil at the church for anyone and everyone who wanted to stop in.
And I called a few of the people that in 18 short hours I knew had been personally affected. I let them know that I was at the church and was available.
I don't think we had anyone stop in and use the prayer space at all that day. BUT... simply because it was there, other conversations happened across facebook.
One of my members who saw the listing also posted it as her facebook status. And friends of hers in the community who have never been to our church were touched by the fact that we were doing this. One person even messaged me directly and said that she wanted to come and visit our church after that. Another person requested to add me as her facebook friend afterwards.

I have a pretty idealistic view of the world. I look for the best in things before I look for their faults - but I also know that everything has its pros and its cons. The best we can do is navigate the waters as best we can, and (I think this this is my new motto) take one step beyond caution when the Spirit nudges.
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