Lavon shepherded our move into the digital age, creating www.communityucc.org from scratch three times on different platforms as the technology has changed. His is the technical knowledge which has bent html to our creativity, and rescued us during the exciting hours when our url directed people automatically to a porn website.
Always interested in seeing how social media could support CUCC’s ministries and people, Lavon helped us experiment with Twitter, and launched News and Chat to provide us with space to discuss ideas online. To enable us to minister to those who can't be with us physically, he has edited and posted weekly audio recordings of sermons, and has filmed videos of special worship services so that distant grandparents can see their grandchildren lead worship. Lavon filmed interviews with CUCC's saints, and creative projects by our artists. You'll find those in another of his projects, the fantastic blog-based archive of CUCC’s historical resources into which Lavon has scanned hundreds of documents and photos reminding us of our heritage. Most recently, he provided technical expertise as Cathy transformed News and Chat into the content of our weekly newsletter, saving her hours of work each week.
In each case, Lavon worked to champion the principle that our website and social media should reflect the many voices of CUCC’s people. He spent hours brainstorming better ways to show your photos, and met one-on-one with countless CUCC people to show them how to be website "authors" so that your ministry could be represented just the way you want it.
On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for Lavon’s patience as my mentor. I knew nothing about websites when Lavon convinced me to provide content as he built the first website. I have cherished our work sessions, our philosophical discussions, our dreams about what might be possible. I am grateful that he has agreed to bail me out if I get in over my head with a technical emergency in the months to come.
When you see Lavon, please thank him. Then show your gratitude by calling me with your questions about CUCC's website and News and Chat, allowing Lavon to enjoy his new-found free time.
- submitted by Jane Smith, your new webmaster