22
Mar
2020
Report of First Men’s Video-Chat Gathering
Submitted by Stephen WintersBlogs:
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Report of First Men’s Video-Chat Gathering
The order of the day is social-distancing. No meeting in groups, no getting together to any extent. With each of us seemingly confined to within the walls of one's own abode, it is very easy for us to begin to feel distant and alone like no one cares.
This is where video-chats or video meetings can at least help to fill that void. Sitting in front of my screen and seeing all of your smiling faces is so heartwarming. While it is not as good as an in-person hug it is ever so much better than staying isolated and alone in one's own mind.
This last Sunday, March 22 six men from our UUFC Fellowship got together via Google Duo to have a first trial men's informal video-chat meeting. (Stephen had done a test video-chat with each man in advance to verify that they each could be connected.) Six men were "present". Originally eight men were scheduled to be in the video-chat and another two had expressed a desire to be part of the chat, but because of some unforeseen technical difficulties, only 6 men were able to get connected for this first chat. (Stephen learned that future group chats would probably be better done using another video chat app, possibly Google Hangouts or some other.)
The "meeting" began with a typical chalice group type check-in with each man spending a few minutes sharing what was going on in his life, his personal struggles, his joys, his sorrows. After the initial sharing was finished we started into the topic of the day, FINDING HOPE WITHIN A PANDEMIC and SOCIAL DISTANCING. However, after beginning it was decided not to complete this topic at this time. Instead, we just spent the rest of the time catching up with one another. Video chatting as a group is a new experience and takes some getting used to for some. For me, it was very rewarding to see all of these me interacting with each other almost as though they were together in the same room.
Having participated with many face-to-face meetings with many of these men before at UUFC, it was very uplifting to be in the same (virtual) room with these men again. I look forward to more of these group video-chats. I look forward to seeing more of you in any upcoming video-chats. Aho!
If you are interested in participating in video-chats let me know. Also, feel free to connect with me via Google Hangouts or Google Duo at any time about anything, or if you just want a listening ear.
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