Making Media Accessible from Justine Frostad on Vimeo.

12/12/10

Jason Apicella

In high school, Jason Apicella had to write an essay about what he aspired to be when he grew up. He picked three careers: teacher, minister or forest ranger.

Even early on, Apicella knew he wanted to do work that would help others.

And during one summer in college, he had the opportunity to try a mix of his interests, working as a chaplain in a national park, leading Sunday services and checking in on campers at their sites.

Though he didn't know that ministry would later become such a large part of his life, he always had thoughts about his faith.

"It was this inner, spiritual connection that I felt prior to my connection to a particular church or denomination," he said.

Though he went to church with his grandmother on Sundays near his home in Watertown, Conn., organized religion wasn't a central part of Apicella's youth.

It was during his undergraduate years at Central Connecticut State University that he got involved with biblical studies and connected with a pastor at the First Baptist Church of West Hartford who gave him not only guidance, but the opportunity to preach and see what ministry was all about. "Being involved helped me realize what my passions were," said Apicella.

Apicella graduated with a degree in education, but wanted to combine his passion for teaching with ministry, and went to Wake Forest University for his master of divinity. Now 27, he's studying for his third degree, a master of sacred theology at Boston University.

His motivation, he said, "was both grounded in theology, in experience, and sort of that inner connection to God--and that desire to contribute." Through his various internships and working for different organizations, he determined he was the right fit for ministry.

"I came to realize that it is through the church that I can best make my contribution to the world."

His research at BU has focused on how to create inclusive church communities that are open to people with cognitive disabilities and "making the word of God accessible to them."

He balances the academic study of theology with hands-on work as a youth minister at the Federated Church of Norfolk, teaching Sunday school and creating opportunities for kids to become active members of the church.

"I think more youth would be more involved if they are able to take more leadership positions and more ownership of what they're doing," he said. He's encouraging children to read scripture during the service or lead the children's group in song.

Apicella said his journey finding his faith and his path in life has been fueled by the freedom he was given to test and explore ministry during college. As he continues his work toward ordination in the American Baptist church, he wants to offer other youth that same opportunity.

Mike Nilon

Mike Nilon still didn't feel like he'd gotten that call from God when he started divinity school at Harvard.

But after conversations with his fellow classmates, who had had similar experiences of a less than clear path to ministry, he realized the road didn't always have to be straight.

"My sense of my discernment has been very gradual. It's been one thing after another that has led me to believe and trust that this is the right path for me," said Nilon, "And I've had experiences that I would call conversion experiences, but there's been tremendous amount of work in between those experiences that's been just as convincing."

Nilon grew up attending a United Methodist/Presbyterian church when in Gainesville, Fla. singing untraditional songs with spiritual messages, like the Grateful Dead's "Ripple" in the youth choir, and taking part in summer community service projects. And though he was required by his parents to attend church, some of Nilon's most positive experiences, he said, came from his participation in the youth choir and the support of both his Sunday school teacher and his choir director.

As a student at the University of Florida, he said he rarely attended church, and felt more spiritually connected going out in the woods. Towards the end of college, Nilon began practicing meditation informally, finding it as a way to clear his mind.

He had thought about ministry off and on as a potential vocation, but didn't think he was "made of the right stuff."

A few years later, as a Peace Corps volunteer with his wife in Cameroon, West Africa, he worked at a youth center, educating young people about health and good decision-making. Throughout his Peace Corps time, he had the opportunity to experience a variety of religious traditions--from magic and the occult to traditional funeral mourning rituals. He returned home even more curious about his religious life.

His initial thought was to study religion, get his PhD and teach. But during his second year of the three-year divinity program, Nilon started exploring the possibility of working in a religious community. He also continued experiencing a variety of spiritual practices, from Tibetan Buddhism meditation, to an interfaith contemplative group that did "circle practice," a Zen Buddhism tradition that combines meditation and discussion.

"The most powerful thing for me is a greater degree of acceptance of what my life really is--seeing the value in good things and bad things. [Meditation's] given me the ability to be receptive to other people to a greater degree or in Christian terms, having a greater ability to love people for who they are," he said.

Nilon believes meditation practice is beneficial for all faiths, allowing a deeper connection between the body and the mind. He wants to share what he's learned with the community at the United Parish of Auburndale in Newton where he's the new director of youth ministries.

Fresh out of divinity school, Nilon, 32, has been in Newton only a few months, but has already begun to understand some of the issues facing the youth he's mentoring, namely, the highly competitive academic nature of the town. He wants to create a place where youth can come without worrying about academic pressures and just be a part of the community.

]]> http://www.surviveandthriveboston.com/2010/12/profiles-of-faith-the-call-to.html http://www.surviveandthriveboston.com/2010/12/profiles-of-faith-the-call-to.html Faces of Faith Home Living faith as a vocation vocation youth and religion Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:49:49 -0500 By Justine Frostad 

Working Technology and Environments from Justine Frostad on Vimeo.

12/13/10

When you're a twenty- or thirty-something in Boston, finding other people your age isn't a problem. But finding a way to connect with other young people who share similar philosophies or beliefs can be a challenge. For Jews in Boston, or even those who are just curious about Jewish life, it's as simple as going online.

Patty Jacobson, director of JewishBoston.com, describes it as a "distributed community site." Partner organizations can login and create events, blog and offer resources for Boston's Jewish community. With more than 300 Jewish organizations in the Boston area and about 30 that cater directly to people in their 20's or 30's, their tagline "The wandering is over," rings true. The site is an online hub for Boston's Jewish community.

It was also created specifically with the goal of engaging people under 40. The Boston area is home to more than 250,000 Jews, many of them college students and young adults. With events like "Lights and Strikes," a bowling/Chanukah celebration, a "Scotch and Chocolate" tasting and a fundraiser for the recent Haifa fires, JewishBoston.com and its partner organizations create a variety of opportunities for young people to get involved.

Part of Combined Jewish Philanthropies 2006 strategic plan was looking at the next generation and "how they connect with life and life around them," said Jacobson.

Launched in March, JewishBoston.com now has about 20,000 registered users, and nearly a quarter of them from the 20- to 30-year-old age group. The site is completely ad- and fee-free and is funded by CJP. Through targeted emails that highlight events for the under-30's and updates on Facebook and Twitter, JewishBoston.com utilizes a variety of social media tools to help people stay connected.

More sites for young adults

Boston Shambala Center
Allied Muslim Youth of North America
Young Life
Catholic.net

JewishBoston.com's staff helps keep the content fresh and interactive. The site recently promoted an online video contest that creatively answered "what's great about being Jewish in Boston." The grand prize: a brand new iPad.

"One thing I expect to happen in the next three to six months is more interactive features and contests," said Jacobson.

They're not only engaging the community with the site, but also helping the partner organizations gain social media skills with workshops. "Just went to a great meeting with @JewishBoston! picked up a lot of great Twitter tips!" tweeted a JewishBoston.com follower who is connected with a partner organization.

In general, Jacobson said, there's a great disconnect in synagogues and churches with the tools and skills they have to reach out to people, especially under 40. She said JewishBoston.com tries to supply those tools.

Though the Internet has become a powerful tool, it has created resistance within some religious communities.

Her research, which explores how Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities negotiate new media technologies, found that more traditional or orthodox communities can have a "tense relationship with modernity."

Campbell pointed to the Kosher cell phone favored by ultra-orthodox Jews in Israel, which blocks use, and the creation of online communities like Koogle.com, Israel's online Kosher directory as examples of the tension between online and offline communities.

"Religious offline theology or belief definitely influences their online technological choices," said Campbell, "The more conservative or bounded the community is, the tighter regulations and controls they have, so the more conservative their use is often of technology."

Just last month, a pastor in New Jersey recently asked his parishioners to give up Facebook because he said it could lead to infidelity.

Though some religious leaders may be wary of technology's influence, many are seeing it as a powerful tool and like JewishBoston.com, they are using it as a virtual extension of their community.

"I think you're seeing a lot of innovation in emerging churches, [they're] saying, 'how do we use these technologies not just to be relevant, but basically meet the needs of people?' Especially since the Internet has become so imbedded in everyday life," said Campbell. Sermons are now streamed live or can be watched on YouTube, parishioners meet in virtual prayer rooms and some people are even tweeting to God.

The goal from the start has been "opening up the Jewish community in ways it hasn't been before," said Jacobson.

JewishBoston.com is one local example of how innovative online technology is shaping future religious communities.

Prosthetics Making Progress from Justine Frostad on Vimeo.

12/11/10

There are literally hundreds of different dating services in the United States you can sign up for either online or offline. According to the most recent census information, there are about 30 companies based in Massachusetts alone. With so many options, picking which one that's right for you could take some time.

Luckily, an growing trend in the dating industry might make picking the right service for you a little easier. Increased market competition is forcing companies to narrow their target customer base to help attract more clients. That means you can sign up for a service that provides you with a pool of potential dates more specific to the type of person you're looking to meet.

To find out more about what options you have as a single Bostonian looking for love, click on the video below for details.

Sex-Ed 101 from Anaridis Rodriguez on Vimeo.

By Megan Gregg

12/11/10

"Match maker matchmaker, make me a match. Find me a find, catch me a catch." Most of us have heard these lyrics from the famous Broadway musical, "Fiddler on the Roof." The musical debuted in 1964, but was actually based upon a popular novel set in the early part of 20^th century Russia. But the business of matchmaking has been around long before it was the focus of a book or Broadway blockbuster. And today, more than ever, companies are tapping into every new corner of this age old market.

If you are one of the millions of people who use online or offline dating services, you are contributing to an estimated $2 billion a year global market. According to a leading market research firm, Americans contribute more than half the total, or $1.2 billion. The same study projects by 2013, American spending on dating services will increase to about $1.7 billion annually. It doesn't look like the uptick in the dating services industry is going to plateau anytime soon. Mark Brooks, a consultant for leading social networking and dating sites and founder of Online Personals Watch said, "There's a lot of market potential still, when you look at how many singles are on the planet."

And there are a lot of singles out there! The most recent census figures available show that, about 43 percent of Americans, age 18 and older, are classified as single or "unmarried." Massachusetts is well above the national average.  About 50 percent of the Bay State population can be interpreted as single. With so many singles out there, it's no wonder there are new dating services popping up almost daily to cater to this need. Dating companies are also narrowing their focus to increase their chances of turning a profit in the increasingly competitive market.

One of these new companies, Meetcha.com, was launched in April 2010 and is headquartered in Boston in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Chief Financial Officer Linda Natansohn said catering to a specific demographic is a "great formula for the local economy and for the dating world." At Meetcha, they are all about signing up singles from the baby-boomer generation looking to get back into the dating scene. The idea is to sign up online but utilize their "PODS" feature which stands for "People Out Doing Stuff." Members of Meetcha can sign up for PODS and not only spend time meeting new singles, but spend their money in new places. Natansohn indicated the formula is a win-win for the growth of their start-up site and local business owners. "The 40-plus audience of baby boomers have a trillion dollars in disposable income," she said, adding "that is the perfect person to be going into your venue."

While Meetcha may be new, dating services, in one form or another, are not.  The effect of these services on local economies also isn't new. Unlike Meetcha.com, a recent online start-up, companies like Events and Adventures have been driving money into local economies long before the advent of online dating. For more than two decades, this members club has catered to singles looking to meet through group events based on specialty interests. For example, members go on ski trips, wine tastings, boat cruises, just to name a few things. Boston branch Operations Manager Nancy O'Toole noted the trickle-down effect dating services have on the smallest local businesses. "It works out great for everyone," she says and "they [venues] discount us, we get to go to the event and it gives them a lot of business."

But not all dating services succeed in turning a profit, let alone turning business toward local economies. Harvard Business School Assoc. Prof. Michael Norton said the online dating industry in particular has a high "churn-and-burn" rate with literally hundreds of start-ups each year that never gain traction. He said "it will always feel like there is a new opportunity for a company with a different way of approaching it to be very successful." But feeling like there is opportunity and succeeding at it are very different things.

Brooks, of Online Personals Watch, is also realistic when analyzing the potential success rates for companies looking to infiltrate the industry. He maintains that despite an average 10 percent annual growth rate, the online dating industry is "definitely high risk." He said "most entrepreneurs seriously underestimate the budget necessary for stocking the shelves with singles, and the complexities of creating a working, profitable, high converting website."

The dating industry will likely remain a lucrative economic force for years to come simply from a consumer supply-and-demand perspective. Singles are out there and as long as they don't want to remain that way, businesses will continue to succeed or fail as they have done in some way or another for decades, if not centuries.

Robots Reaching New Potential from Justine Frostad on Vimeo.

12/11/10

What is dating?

Regardless of how you define it, people are out in record numbers doing it. And they aren't just relying on a look from a stranger across a crowded bar to get the job done anymore. They are signing up in droves for online dating services to help them find that one person who is the yin to their yang.  But what they might not know is the majority of sites are not looking to the gods of romance to deliver their Don Juan DeMarco.  They are looking to math, science and the art of data-crunching to increase your chances of getting a one-way ticket departing permanently from destination dating.

"There's an old kind of saying, with any technology that develops, that is, it will eventually be used for dating," said Michael Norton, associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School and former fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. All the online dating sites, from national giant eHarmony.com down to Boston's own Meetcha.com use the technology of science to help you meet your match.

But how do they do it you ask?

Well, let's take a step back into the world of algorithms. First, if you don't know what an algorithm is, the good folks over at dictionary.com define it as "a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, as for finding the greatest common divisor."  Sounds sexy, right? Well, if you are a client of an online dating service, it doesn't have to sound sexy; hopefully, it just leads to sexy.  

A New Way to Pick and Roll from Justine Frostad on Vimeo.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the first to see such a strong and continuous surge of female troops in combat. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have seen 14,000 female troops involved in combat. Women make up about 11 percent of the forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Before these wars, women in the military often offered their services as medics, caretakers and even entertainers. However, in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, women are involved in firefights and moving convoys.

These new combat duties have led to new challenges for women in the military. 

Click below to learn of one woman's challenges and those of other female combat veterans, are how they can now be addressed.