A few days ago I spent two and a half hours on the phone with a very nice young gentleman named Mayank who was sitting in Mumbai, India. And speaking with. (I was having a computer problem and he was helping me to solve it.)

   There was a moment when (with my permission) he took over my computer; I sat and watched the cursor roam around the screen as he did a variety of tasks.

   How astonishing that he, sitting in a place halfway around the globe could take over the computer on my lap. I know, that is old hat, so to speak. That has been happening for years. But I am also a bit "old hat."

   I remember being in Kenya in 1970 and receiving word that I should call home. I had to "book" the call through a hotel operator and once I did I was told it would be six hours before the call went through. Those were the days when several operators would be involved in such a call; so after a six hour delay (which was then extended by an hour) the telephone operator in the hotel lobby where I was making the call from put me on the phone with an operator at the phone company in Nairobi. The Nairobi operator said, "Go ahead, Nairobi long distance"; the long distance operator said, "Go ahead, London"; the London operator said, "Go ahead, New York"; and the New York operator said, "Go ahead, Westport (Connecticut)" and the Westport operator said, "You are connected to your call" at which point my mother said "Hello?". Six people between me and the person I was calling.

   Today people in Nairobi get on their cell phones and call people in the US. Right away. No operators. No chain of others in between.

   And on Monday Mayank took control of my computer. There is something magical about that. Technology has changed a little bit since 1970.

   The funny thing is that back in 1970 I thought we were living in modern times. I thought that the technology we had then was so advanced! (But I expected flying cars by 1999--and a permanent settlement on Mars by then, too.)

     I believe it was science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke who said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." He was correct. What he failed to say was that technological change can also feel like magic.

     How do we adjust to change that is so dramatic? Not just we as individuals, but we as a culture and we as a religious community.

     As a congregation we now email our newsletter, we have a Facebook page and a web site; but how do we (again, as a congregation but also as individuals) move into the magical world that is ahead of us while viewing it with wonder and not with fear or hesitation?

     I was delighted that Mayank could take over my computer and fix it for me. It is the conjuring up of that delight which is the key. 

The Caring Connection is a group of Church members and friends who provide support to members of our community who find themselves in some difficulty and need short-term help. Please let us know if you could use some assistance, or know of someone who would benefit from our support. Contact: Laurie Graham at caring@uubelmont.org or Susan at the Church, 617.484.1054 x 201.

Music to Benefit the Pediatric Division at Boston Medical Ctr.

The concert, a benefit for children at the SPARK Center of the Boston Medical Pediatric Division, will feature superb vocal and instrumental music of many genres. As is our custom, it is a very entertaining, eclectic program which includes three beautiful arias from Handel's Neun Deutsche Arien, sung by Shannon Rose McAuliffe, soprano; two excerpts from Bach's harpsichord Goldberg Variations, played by Ian Garvie; a unique flute duet "3 x 2" by contemporary American composer/flautist, Gary Schocker; Highlighting the program this year will be a stunning Trio Sonata, at once virtuosic and expressive, by Baroque Czech composer, Jan Dismus Zelenka, with Susan Jackson and Terry D'Errico, flutes; Robin Hillyard, bassoon, and Alfa Radford, harpsichord. Click here to see flyer!

     Concert attendees will also be treated to an amusing and brilliant finale from the "Coffee" Cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring all the performing artists.

     Admission is by donation. Those who can't attend but wish to contribute, may send a check to SPARK, Boston Medical Ctr, 818 Harrison Avenue, Boston MA 02118. (SPARK = Supporting Parents and Resilient Kids)

     Come, and bring a friend to this very special event - a perfect way to combine the arts with social action! The delightful program is bound to entertain you, and there will be a delicious Strawberries and Wine Reception following the concert.−Alfa Joy Radford, Minister of Music