Old faces, new technology

Senior citizens are being ushered into the computer age every Thursday morning at St John’s, North Ryde.

However, the rector of St John’s, the Rev John Chappell, says the one and a half hour sessions that he leads are more than just computer training courses.

“The sessions start with a Bible reading and discussion on a part of Mark’s gospel. We then move into the computer training component,” Mr Chappell says.

“It’s a typical seniors’ training course. We teach them how to use email, word processing, Internet, Ebay and do digital photography.”

Unlike many other seniors’ computer courses, this course is free. It is run out of a computer room in St John’s containing 19 computers, which were donated by a large firm.

“The great part is this has brought folks in church who are not in Bible study groups together,” Mr Chappell says.

After meeting together for two terms, Mr Chappell is keen for the members to start invite their non-church attending friends to the group.

“They have enjoyed learning more about God and using a computer. But we are definitely doing this as an outreach, using computers to benefit the gospel.”

Click here to comment on this article for the next edition of Southern Cross

Latest articles in sc articles
- Big Decisions December 2008 - 1 day, 19 hours ago
- Paul Barnett’s work honoured - 1 day, 19 hours ago
- Bob Carr backs ‘right to discriminate’ - 1 day, 19 hours ago