On a Ning and a Prayer
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Before interning at the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Erin Daubert had never heard of a
Ning. By the end of the summer, she'd helped to create one.
A Ning is an online platform that allows people to create their own social networks. The ELCA's Ning for young adults, called
Imagine Yourself, encourages 20-somethings to discuss how their vocations fit in their world. "It's a place for young adults to talk about dreams, goals and hopes," Erin says. "We can meet with others to discuss God's call for each of us."
Erin hopes young adults will use Imagine Yourself as they do just that, recognizing that God's call can take them into a wide variety of career options, not limited to seminary.
The site reflects Erin's own sense of her
vocation, which is still evolving. "I put out ideas and get ideas about how my faith is working, how I am consciously living with my vocation's path and direction."
Erin enjoys participating in the blogs and forums and reading others' ideas. "It can be hard to have in-depth discussions at school, but people are much more willing to share online."
This fall, when the 19-year-old moves to Brazil for the school year, she'll provide updates through a blog she'll create on Imagine Yourself. A junior at
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, Erin will study in Brazil for two semesters through the
Council on International Educational Exchange.
When Erin applied for her internship, she didn't imagine her own possibilities for living out God's call. Through the internship, she gained an understanding of the three expressions of this church and how they work together in ministry.
"I learned about seminary options I would have never considered, which are options I will pursue after I return from Brazil. I think I might be able to use my experience to study for and work with immigrant ministries."