TED is an acronym for Technology, Entertainment and Design which is an annual conference that makes "rock stars out of physicists." I discovered "The Future We Will Create: Inside the World of TED" last Saturday when I woke up at 5AM and turned on the TV to see if I could go back to sleep; not a chance once the documentary started! It's airing this month on one of the cable channels. It's an inspiring, positive event where "leading thinkers and doers gather for inspiration." In 2001 Chris Anderson, whose parents were medical missionaries in Pakistan, bought the conference and since has infused a sense of social action to the conference. Each presenter gets 20 minutes to explain their thoughts on how to make the world a better place, and with Chris' expertise in media, these presentations are now accessible, at no cost, to millions of people via podcasts on i-tunes (TED talks) and YouTube. (I've been trying to connect to www.ted.com for several days, and I can only hope that the problem is the numbers of people trying to learn more since the showing of the movie.) You can find a myriad of topics that were presented since 2006; the ideas presented are amazing! A new element has been added recently to the event which offers three "wish" winners the privilege of sharing their wish to change the world in front of the audience of entrepreneurs, brilliant scientists, creative thinkers, and performing artists. U2's front singer, Bono was an early wish winner and when he presented his wish that Americans come to the aid of Africa, one.org was developed, bringing 2 million Americans to a greater awareness of the struggle of AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa. TEDs mission statement is "Ideas worth sharing," and they speak of taking the ideas back into the world with the zeal of first-century Christians who have been newly commissioned by Jesus.
My prayer for the congregation?
Dear God, When two or more are gathered in your name, much can be accomplished! Let us be encouraged that people still seek to improve the world of those who are forgotten, to provide housing for those who are homeless, to provide protection for the earth's resources, and to improve relationships between sisters and brothers of the earth. Jesus was a model of unexpected translations of existing social mores. Let us act with enthusiasm for progress and renewal, and let us solve problems with the creative and unconventional energies of those who don't accept the routine and habitual means as their own perfunctory approach. Let us find our own wish of world transformation. Let it begin with a prayer to let your will be known and all glory be given to you. Amen
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