Early in
1994, First Christian Church began to explore how current computer and
communications technology could be effectively integrated into the various
ministries of the congregation. A task force was appointed under the leadership
of G. Parker Rossman and it began to outline goals and objectives. Three
primary areas were identified: Christian Education, Music, and Communications.
In August of 1994, Ken Watson was called to the FCC staff as the Director of the FCC Computer Lab and charged with developing an integrated approach to the use of computers and other new technologies. A large room was set aside for a Computer Lab and $5000 of memorial funds were designated for startup equipment and software costs. Within a couple of months, it was obvious that our opportunities exceeded our equipment and the Administrative Board allocated another $5000 of memorial funds for the purchase of additional equipment and software. By December of 1994 our Lab consisted of 6 multimedia computers (486's with CD-ROMs) networked through Windows for Workgroups. Peripherals include a 24-bit flatbed color scanner, a MIDI keyboard interfaced with the network for music development, a color inkjet printer, a laser printer, a display converter for creating videotapes of multimedia projects, a 14,400 kbd faxmodem and dedicated phone line, and a wide selection of commercial and shareware software including several CD-ROM multimedia programs.
1994-95 was devoted almost entirely to integrating our new capabilities with the education program. Each Sunday, a church school class comes into the Lab to explore games, Bible studies, or projects related to the curriculum. Projects were also started with the Junior Youth Fellowship (a fund-raising calendar project) and the CYF (creation of a 17-minute multimedia production for Pentecost Sunday entitled "Images of God").
We continued to explore ways in which to utilize communications, especially the Internet. This Home Page is the result of that continued development. Beginning early in 1995, we have also opened the Lab to the community on Saturdays. Visitors have included people who simply want to know "What my grandchildren are talking about" and people who want to increase their computer skills for personal or work-related reasons. Many Saturdays find the Lab busy with children, youth, and adults working on a variety of projects.
For the last several years we have been offering a variety of workshops to beginning and experienced computer users. Topics have included Computing for Seniors, Communicating on the Web, Developing Personal Web Homepages, Religion on the Web, Searching the Web, Creative Graphics for Home and the Web, Developing Church Web Pages, Basic Computing Skills for New Users, Maintaining your own Computer, Dealing with security and viruses.
In the fall of 2002, we became a part of the new rotation-model Sunday School program and hold workshops for our children and youth 4 out of 5 Sundays of each rotation.
The Church has made its resources available for displays and workshops at General and Regional Assemblies, professional organizations, youth training events, and congregational consulting.
The Lab's ministry continues to expand and develop and enjoys enthusiastic support from the congregation. In 2002 and 2005 the lab equipment was upgraded again an now contains 6 excellent computers and a wealth of peripherals that allow a wide variety of tasks to be accomplished, whether for a Kindergarten lesson on Jesus or the development of a video or DVD project.
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