News

Fakebook

26/11/2009

How Many Friends Have You Really Got?

Five minutes goes by and I get out my Iphone, open up my Facebook app and check if I have any new wall posts, hoping that someone has sent me a message or ‘liked' my status. What did I do before Facebook? How did I stay in contact with my friends before I had them all at the click of a mouse or the tap of the keyboard?

Have you ever missed an event or not turned up to something because it wasn't on Facebook. I even rely on Facebook to tell me when my families' birthdays are. Social

networking sites like Facebook have changed the way we live our lives. This has great implications for the church.

The pace and way of life is increasingly shaped by the technology we create and utilize. The way we communicate is often the basis for relationships, community and culture. New, powerful ways of communicating affect and transform the way we interact with each other in our schools, colleges and places of work. The internet and social networking sites, like Facebook, have a big potential to allow Christians to share our faith in new relevant way. They also have their dangers.

We can sometimes become so reliant on Facebook that we miss out on building relationships in person. Many times I get home from seeing my mates only to realize I'd forgotten how much I love spending time with them face to face. Nothing beats it.  While Facebook is a powerful tool, it doesn't replace the quality time that comes from hanging out with your mates and doing what you love best together.

We only need to look at the bible to see that words are powerful used in the right way, at a distance or face to face. Facebook gives us the ability to be involved in many lives across many worlds. What we do with this technology will shape the future of our relationships with one another and the way we interact with God. Your status, your wall posts and your comments demonstrate who you are and what you believe in. What have you posted in the last few weeks? What does say about your life and your world? What does it say about your bond with God?

If we use Facebook as a way of challenging people's attitude towards God then it can be a powerful tool. If we use it as replacement for relationship it becomes a poor imitation of friendship.

Ali Johnson

Book Sale

24/11/2009

BEDFORD BOOKS

HERE at CLIFF on:

Thurs 26th Nov
from 10am - 2.30pm
in the Chatsworth Room

Large selection of Theology, Commentaries,
Reference etc at
greatly reduced prices.
 
***********************

All major Credit Cards accepted

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER TEAM - WE NEED YOU

18/11/2009

We are once again seeking a team of volunteers who can help with preparation and clear up for the Festival as well as over the Festival weekend itself.  You can offer to serve for either the whole period or parts of it as follows: 

Tuesday 25^th May 9am to Friday 28^th May 4pm

• Housekeeping duties (including bed making, cleaning etc)
• Gardening and general maintenance
• Kitchen and catering (you should have a current food hygiene certificate/ appropriate training could be provided)
• General team (estates) setting out chairs etc in tents, moving equipment around site etc

Friday 28^th May 4pm to late Monday 31^st May

• Housekeeping duties (including cleaning, servicing washrooms etc)
• Site duties such as keeping site tidy, moving equipment around, selling programmes etc
• Kitchen and catering, including Eagles Cafe (you should have a current food hygiene certificate/appropriate training could be provided)
• Stewarding
• Children's Team (CRB check required - dated no more than 2 years previous to the time of application)
• Youth Team (CRB requirements as above)
• Prayer Team (experience in this area is required)

Tuesday 1^st June to Wednesday 2^nd June afternoon

• Housekeeping clear up
• General clear up, emptying tents, putting equipment into storage etc

Please note that all volunteers whilst they are working will be provided with meals.  Accommodation will be available on site for volunteers, excepting those in the Stewarding and Prayer teams (who are expected to book accommodation at Festival in the usual way).  However, as College/Conference rooms are at a premium, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own caravan or tent, the space being available free of charge to them whilst working.  It may be possible that accommodation will also be available in local homes, again free of charge to the volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering at Festival 2010 please will you contact Alison Woodgate (Evangelism Dept Administrator) on 01246 584222 email a.woodgate@cliffcollege.ac.uk or write to the Volunteers Coordinator, Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, Derbys S32 3XG as soon as possible for more information and an application form.  Deadline for applications is 31^st January 2010.