Reprinted with permission from the Journal Inquirer October 18, 2005

God.com
Churches Use The Internet To Share Their Views

By Mark D. Simpson

Journal Inquirer

Some local religious institutions are using cyberspace as a way to communicate with their congregations and share their views with the world.

Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz came to Congregation Beth Ahm in Windsor seven years ago. One of the things he says he wanted when he came was a Web site for the synagogue.

"The Web site’s for anyone looking for a synagogue in the area," Lefkowitz says.

Lefkowitz said people like the Web site and worshippers have found the synagogue thanks to it.

The synagogue has 117 members and started in 1951.

Lefkowitz says the Internet is a helpful tool in doing his job.

"I’m always on the computer seeing what synagogues are doing," Lefkowitz says.

Corey Sussman, who is the Webmaster for the synagogue’s site, says that it took him only a couple of weeks to design the site. He also said he thinks its important for his synagogues to have one in order "to spread the word about events and programs going on."

"Without a Web site nonmembers would not even know we exist," Sussman says. "It is also good publicity about our small congregation that could be read throughout the world."

Lefkowitz says the designing of the Web site gave Sussman a sense of importance in that he can contribute to the synagogue.

Anyone interested in viewing the Congregation Beth Ahm’s Web site may go to:

www.bethahm-windsorct.com.

Gilead Congregational Church Pastor Denise Esslinger says that her house of worship utilizes its Web site for two purposes.

"One is to communicate information and events with current members," Esslinger says. "The other is to offer a place where new folks can get a sense of our community of faith — our beliefs as well as how we live out those beliefs in the events and activities we offer."

She says the site has been effective in getting out information to people new to the Hebron church.

"I know of a number of new folks who have attended our worship service who mentioned that they checked out our Web site before coming for the first time," Esslinger says.

The church is 257 years old and Esslinger has been serving as pastor for the past seven years. The church’s site came online approximately three years ago, she said.

Anyone interested in viewing the Gilead Congregation Church’s Web site may go to:

www.gileadchurchucc.org

Doug Rowse, pastor of New River Community Church in South Windsor, says that the eight and a half year old Web site for his place of worship serves many functions.

Rowse says the Web site allows people to get information about the church, it allows the church to send out various e-mails to members, contains weekly teachings in case someone misses a service, and has other functions.

"Our Web site is pretty central to what we do as a church," Rowse says.

Rowse says he and his wife started the church about nine years ago. He says the church has about 300 people that attend services on Sunday.

Anyone interested in viewing the New River Community Church Web site can visit:

www.newriverchurch.org

©Journal Inquirer 2005