This cat-friendly WELSTech school-year season opener marks the return of our extended format, including news in tech, WELS now, and ministry resources. We’re talking about apps for creating verse images, updates to the Google Lectionary Calendar, and church video connections. Plus, we are happy to welcome Dr. Tom Kuster to the conversation as he shares details on an extended-reality-in-ministry project!

The discussion:

Create verse images – A smartphone can fill a key role in church, school, and personal communication efforts. Martin and Sallie discuss the many apps that make it easy to create images with Bible text overlaid, perfect for sharing on social media.

• YouVersion Bible app
• Canva (mobile)
• Adobe Spark
• Word Swag
• PicCollage
• Bible Lens

The interview:

How can XR technology be used to serve the Lord? – Dr. Tom Kuster from the Christ in Media Institute shares details on their current XR (extended reality) Project and Festival and how schools can get involved. The first 10 schools to sign up will receive a $200 Oculus-GO VR headset to further their research.

• Learn more & participate in the XR Project and Festival
• E-mail Dr. Kuster at tkuster@blc.edu to get started

News in tech:

The Google Lectionary Calendar has been updated with the next three church years! Learn more on the WELSTech Wiki.

WELS now:

WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership – Register now for early bird pricing

Picks of the week:

• Why You Should Open An Unsplash Account For Your Church Brand from ChurchMag
  • Unsplash
  • Pixabay
• Affinity Photo YouTube Channels
  • Bethany Acorn
  • Affinity Revolution

Ministry resource:

WELSTech Challenge Album – Search flickr using WELSTechPhotoChallenge

Community feedback:

• Ninite
• 14 incredibly useful things you didn’t know Google Drive could do
• Chrombook end of life discussion – WELS Google Schools on Group.io

Featured video:

This week we feature a double-header of congregation “Connection” video examples. First up is the Fall 2019 Good Shepherd Connect from Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, SD.

And second is the September 2019 Pilgrim Connection from Pilgrim, Menomonee Falls, WI.

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