One of the ‘younger’ members of St James recently commented that he was amazed at how many of the older members had embraced the online world during this lockdown period and particularly Zoom. Of course he immediately caught himself, and said “that sounds really ageist!” I’m even getting my own mum who is almost 84 onto Zoom, which brings back memories of trying to teach my daughter to drive! It is remarkable how a technology many of us had never heard of has become such an important part of our lives. It has a greater richness of connection than a phone call as we are able to see each other (and yes, how our hair is progressing – or regressing).
One of the things I have enjoyed about lockdown has been taking part in group conversations with other ministers or family members or discussion groups. People who would normally find it difficult to all get in the same room can now meet from different parts of the country. For an extravert like me its’ been one of the highlights of this season and I come away from the times together stimulated and encouraged…sometimes we even pray for one another.
Very rarely though do we actually look at someone in the eye as we would in a normal conversation. Our cameras are all in different places on our computers, laptops and Tablets, and often by looking at the screen straight on we actually come across to everyone else as if we are looking over their shoulder.
One person maybe sitting back in their chair looking up at the ceiling as they listen, another person is talking but sometimes with their eyes closed or looking down at the desk or over your shoulder, another person may even be up from their desk making a cup of tea but they can still hear what is going on. Everyone is in their own space, sitting in a way that is comfortable for them. The rules of social interaction have changed, eye contact does not have the same importance it used to have, particularly as a sign that you are paying attention!
We demand very little of one another, but simply to be present on the screen and to be courteous to whoever else is speaking and wait our turn. There is an endearing informality as we look into each other’s homes, see what they have on their walls and watch their cats or children crawl across the keyboard. Through it all though it has become our voices that act as the constant, regardless of where our eyes are. It is a person’s voice addressing you that shares something with you, even if they are leaning back on their chair looking out the window. It is the silent space that your words speak into that tells you people are paying attention (mostly), even if very few are actually looking straight at you.
This extends also to common acts of worship: prayers, bible readings, guided meditations and images on a screen. All of these are shared but each one of us remains in our own place, looking often at the bible or prayer book in front of us, yet sensitive to the presence of everyone else. The photo I have attached captures something of this intimate shared moment during evening prayer yesterday (I have asked all their permission!) looking with our ears for God’s presence among us.
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