An Asian Christian woman living in London blogging about the everyday issues of religion

Monday, 7 March 2011

Hello Christian Blogger. Who are you?



I adore the fact that I am a part of a very strong fraternity of an online community which I refer to as 'Christian Bloggers'. We visit each other's blogs and leave comments. Dialogue and debate is created. In the process we take away a perspective of the blog owner based on their opinions, rants and ideologies but how much of each other do we really know? 

I attended a networking course last week on how to create a network of contacts based on face to face meetings at parties, conferences or business events. The essence of networking is about creating a group whom you can rely or call upon whenever a need arises. To do this, however, you need to dig a little deeper and get to know the other person. Online networking is harder, granted, because we rely on the blog owner's decision to impart what they wish to share with us. Our opportunity for an exchange of views and opinions and to introduce a topic of conversation that we favour is limited. Often we don't know what the blog owner even looks like.

This blog post is an attempt to get Christian Bloggers to introduce themselves and to get to know each other better-online networking Christian style. Yes, I know Facebook and Twitter got there first but I am tying this experiment in with Lent. Please leave a comment below on who you are (do expand on this) and what you are giving up for Lent or not. I am not giving anything up for Lent and, instead, I resolve to read a book dedicated to Lent which I bought 3 years ago and have never got around to reading. Post a picture of yourself if possible too.
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21 comments:

  1. Nancy Wallace8 March 2011 at 03:56

    I'm a female Christian blogger, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, former social worker, priest in Church of England. I am giving something up for Lent, but that's private. I'm also taking something up - a challenge to post on my blog a daily reflection throughout Lent, based on one of the Common Lectionary Bible readings for the day. I don't know how to add a photo to this comment. If a photo comes up it will be the daisy I use on my blog Seeker.

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  2. Ellie Finlay8 March 2011 at 05:41

    Hi, Chelliah. I'm over here from the Mad Priest's place.

    I'm a solitary nun who made my solemn profession in Oxford and have lived in both Ireland and South Africa. I'm now in Oklahoma. I run a small non-profit organization called "St. John's Center for Spiritual Formation" which is an interfaith meditation center. I teach meditation classes and also see people individually for spiritual direction and counseling.

    I'm sorry to say that here it is Shrove Tuesday and I haven't figured out my Lenten discipline yet. It'll probably have something to do with spending more time in Scripture, however. Not sure, though. (Yes, it's only 7:45 in the morning where I am!)

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  3. Rick+8 March 2011 at 07:06

    Hi, Chelliah! I'm an Episcopal priest in Nevada, USA. I blog at Rick's Green Grass

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  4. Robert Brenchley8 March 2011 at 09:54

    I'm a Methodist preacher and Church Steward in Birmingham UK. I have two blogs, http://theradicalmethodist.blogspot.com/ , which is about theology and the church, and http://thisandthat-robert.blogspot.com/ , about gardening and beekeeping.

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  5. Chelliah Laity8 March 2011 at 09:55

    Dear Nancy, Ellie and Rick.

    Welcome and thank you for leaving your comments and introductions. I am thrilled.

    Nancy- I like the self-reflections that you post on your blog and always enjoy reading it.

    Ellie - I do know you from MP's blog so you feel like a familiar friend. However, I didn't know you were a nun. Wow! Have you eaten any pancakes yet?

    Rick - I have visited your blog and enjoy your amazing descriptions and pics. What are you doing today?

    I will add your blogs to my blog roll.
    Love
    Jane

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  6. Chelliah Laity8 March 2011 at 09:57

    Dear Robert,
    Welcome and thank you for introducing yourself. I have an interest in theology and will certainly add your blog to my blog roll.
    Love
    Jane

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  7. Paul8 March 2011 at 13:46

    Hello, Jane. I have also come via MP where I have noticed your comments too. I am a "retired" Episcopal priest working in the business world. My blog is more political than religious though prayer requests get posted. I used to do almost daily reflections on Office lessons during Advent and Lent but have given those up. Last year it was comments on poetry by Eliot. While for decades I was very caught up in the Church year I am now rather detached from it. I rely heavily on my online friends for prayer partners and like-minded folk.

    Blessings on your Lenten journey and blogging.
    Paul in ABQ

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  8. Chelliah Laity8 March 2011 at 15:57

    Dear Paul @ World Citizen,
    I do know you too. MP's blog is a networking site all by itself. Great to get to know you better. I am curious as to why you are detached from the church? I will add you to my blog roll and look forward to following you.
    Love
    Jane

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  9. JCF8 March 2011 at 21:48

    Let's see. I'm GenderQueer, Episcopal lifer (laity, though I did investigate a call. Diocese said "No"). California-born, and back in the Golden State after 25 years away. Love dogs, like cats. Two graduate degrees, and unemployed (and seemingly {sigh} unemployable). Glad I have an understanding family. Love the outdoors life (y'know, as long as there's a roof over my head at the end of the day!)

    Lent. Can't really think about giving things up. Taking ON intentional daily prayer, working the 12 Steps (EA), getting at least one job app done per week (when you've been unemployed as long as I have, the inertia of despair is near IMPOSSIBLE to overcome---but I'm gonna try).

    Prayers welcome!

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  10. Chelliah Laity9 March 2011 at 00:46

    Dear JCF,
    You feel like an old friend. I am glad I know more about you now after months of reading your comments. All the best with the 12 steps. I am sorry that you are finding it so hard to get a job. I went through the same many years ago and I recall the despair. I will certainly pray for you. Love your description of 'Gender Queen'.
    Love
    Jane

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  11. Unknown9 March 2011 at 05:55

    Hi, I'm Andy. Christian, husband, volunteer Church youthworker, webdesigner / social media geek, taker of photos, and one half of the ChurchSofa.co.uk lads.

    I dont really use Google profiles, but more info can be found at www.scribbledfish.co.uk

    Good to meet you!

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  12. Chelliah Laity9 March 2011 at 07:03

    Dear Andy,
    ChurchSofa is an innovative and quirky (in a nice way) blog. How do you get ideas for your blog psots? I wrote something on the soup kitchen too by the way. I will add your blogs to this.
    Love
    Jane

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  13. Margaret Mary Rowling9 March 2011 at 09:23

    I am Margaret and I live in a house by the coast called Kiaora. I live with my husband , our children have left home. We worship in our local Parish Church .I like using Google Reader.
    This Lent I shall be reading most days Delia Smiths 'A feast for Lent'.

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  14. Chelliah Laity9 March 2011 at 10:14

    Dear Margaret,
    Welcome and thank you for your comment. You have so many blogs! I admire your dedication. It's as much as I can do to blog once a week. 'Kiaora'is a Maori word i think. Are you from New Zealand?
    I will add your blog to my blog roll.
    Love
    Jane

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  15. Barb9 March 2011 at 10:28

    I've been blogging for about 3 years now at diabetic snacker. I'm divorced, 2 kids & I try to comment on a lot of fellow blogger's sites as I am always hoping to network more. I have giveaways all of the time and helpful family friendly reviews.

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  16. Chelliah Laity9 March 2011 at 12:37

    Dear Barb,
    You are a mummy blogger e-enterpreneur. I had a look at two of your blogs and was amazed at how much you review. I wish you all the best and thank you for introducing yourself. I will join your network for Mums.
    Love
    Jane

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  17. laBiscuitnapper9 March 2011 at 17:43

    Hello, headed over here via Mad Priest's blog (like everyone else it seems!). My name is Florence, and I'm an anglo-catholic physics with theoretical physics student from Manchester University (but originally from London!). One of my Lenten disciplines will be blogging more frequently as I don't do nearly as much as I used to and need an outlet...

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  18. Chelliah Laity10 March 2011 at 03:35

    Dear Florence @Biscuitnapper,
    I love your blog pseudonym. It's nice to see a female in the Science field given the shortage of women doing traditional Science subjects. I admire the way you manage to be so frank and open in your latest blog post on Biscuitnapper. I will add it to my blog roll because that's what blogging is all about - sharing. Do blog more.
    love
    Jane

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  19. Unknown10 March 2011 at 07:48

    Thanks Jane,

    Ideas for ChurchSofa.co.uk - difficult one to be honest. Mostly a product of watching too much Scrubs / Simpsons / Monty Python during the week before Church I think ;-)

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  20. Margaret Mary Rowling10 March 2011 at 07:49

    Thank you ! That is why I like the broad Church that is the C of E. WE all have the freedom to express our thoughts, and learn from each other.
    It does look as if I have lots of blogs, but our parish Blog is a team effort. I really dont spend all day on the PC ,I have family needing meals, garden to dig and an aged parent!X

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  21. laBiscuitnapper11 March 2011 at 15:32

    Thank you so much for linking not just to me but to some other pretty cool folks. I look forward to the sharing and the growing!

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