by Sophia Agtarap
When I started grad school in Communications and Digital Media in 2009, I attended my first unconference. It was a 
fascinating concept: open source ideas, conversations led by those with a combination of passion and experience, and the general buzz in the room that comes with a bunch of geeks getting together to talk and learn more about what they love. So when I heard about #UNCO12 from @revrevwine and @CarolHoward, I had to give in to the inner church/worship geek in me.
As a mainline denomination member-spiritual seeker-not yet jaded-30something-Filipina, I sometimes ask myself why I still go to church. I muse about why people leave their faith communities; wonder what more our local churches can do to make meaning in worship through community, art and music; how the church can learn from orgs outside the church and how we might live lives that are truly undivided.
But I haven’t left because of people like those who I’ve found in the UNCO12 community–only a few who I’ve actually met in real life. People who allow and challenge the Holy Spirit to lead, who are not ok with mediocre attempts of worship and who are intentional about creating authentic, faithful communities.
I’m counting the weeks to UNCO12. As a closeted introvert/ambivert [this is a new revelation for me, btw], I look forward to one-on-one conversations and the energy that we’ll draw from being in a sacred space together. Mostly, I’m looking forward to doing leitourgia–the work of the people–together. After months of conversations in the twittersphere, I’m craving our time together so we can begin [and continue] those conversations about our hopes for the church of today and tomorrow.
Sophia is the Director of Communication & Outreach at First UMC Seattle. She’s working on her M.Div at Seattle Pacific Seminary and likes to spend lots of time reading about and doing communications & media.
She likes talking about faith/culture/church/hope/love/art over good food and drink. You can read her blog at wanderingnotlost or follow her on twitter at @sophiaspu