I’ve recently begun blogging with Memphis Connect, described as a place where diverse, city-shaping Memphians discuss the opportunities, organizations and activities that inspire them to make Memphis home. (from Memphis Connect Web site.) The site was launched in March 2009 by The Leadership Academy and is the brainchild of communications director Elizabeth Lemmonds.

I’ll contribute content about the Memphis faith community, how our churches bring a positive force to our our city and ways that we as children of God address the problems, issues and concerns we face as a city.

Check out my latest post here, then browse the rest of the site to learn more about things to see and do in the River City.

Today someone offered me a piece of a chocolate donut … and it made me cry.

I spent this morning at Manna House in midtown Memphis, which offers hospitality, showers, change of clothes, coffee and rest to area homeless persons. After we served coffee, provided showers and dispensed basic toiletries, socks and clean clothes, we spent some time in the back yard, just talking and listening to our guests.

One man talked about how hot Memphis is in summer, and that he really wants to find a place to sleep inside before it gets too hot. Another told me which alley he sleeps in. Both had come into the backyard at Manna House with sack lunches and quickly began making trades: a peanut butter sandwich for a brownie, ham for a bag of chips. One of the men spent a good minute or so driving a hard bargain for a donut. Then he sat down, began to unwrap it and before he took a bite, he offered a bite to me.

He knows I’m not homeless. I’m obviously a middle-class white woman and I wore a nametag that identified me as a volunteer. But he offered me the first bite of his donut. Not what was left over when he finished it. Not the donut he didn’t want. The donut he negotiated and traded for. The first bite.

One of the founders of Manna House explained to me that the name comes from the manna God sent from heaven to feed the Israelites after they left Egypt. (Exodus 16) He sent it each day; just enough for that day, no more, no less, and instructed them not to gather more than they needed. They trusted Him to provide the next day. In much the same way, Manna House meets the daily needs of its guests; their mission is not to solve all problems, but to meet daily needs: basic hygiene, clean socks, a good cup of coffee and companionship — for that day.

I don’t know why my donut friend offered me the first bite; why didn’t he keep it for himself? He may or may not get another donut any time soon; I can buy a dozen without a second thought. Why was he so willing to share with me?

Maybe a better question is: why are so many of us unwilling to share what we proudly call ours? Our money, our home, our time.

We turn our heads and our hearts away and refuse to give of our abundance, while this man offers the first bite.

Food for thought, isn’t it?

Image above: Orange Spice Chocolate Donut by Quintana Roo

I think I might have been a social media geek before social media was cool.

Ten years ago I was active in a Yahoo group comprised of Mac-based graphic designers and prepress people. As online relationships started to build, the list became more of a free-for-all where people talked about their personal lives, bashed Windows (a lot, sorry PC users), debated religion and politics and just chatted as friends do.

Last weekend we traveled to Minnesota for a family occasion and got to meet two of our friends from the old group. We had a wonderful breakfast and great conversation as old friends do when they reconnect. Here we are in the lobby of our hotel after breakfast.

Left to Right: Steph, Mary, me, Jim

This experience got me thinking about the phenomenon of online life and connection. What I love about Twitter is that it’s the same mix as the old-school email connection: sharing of technical help and resources, friendly banter and relationship building.

Online friendships are unique in that they often cross generational, socio-economic, ethnic and geographic boundaries much more easily than in-person interaction. First impressions of people we meet online are based on expression of thoughts, not external characteristics. What would a 50-year-old suburban homemaker have in common with hip 20-somethings? Much more than I’d have thought, it turns out. We connect around shared interests, learn together and work toward common goals. But I’m not sure any of us would have been drawn to one another in quite the same way if our first meeting had been face-to-face.

The other day I was part of a panel on social media and an audience member asked if any of us thought Google Wave would kill Twitter. My answer was maybe, but I’m not sure it will change things that much for me. Twitter is just a tool. I connected in the late 90s via email, I do it now through Twitter and Facebook and I’m sure my online interaction will continue to evolve as the tools change.

But I have to wonder: what will it look like in 2019? I can’t wait to find out.

Thursday, February 12, 5:00 p.m.

Place: still TBA. I think that keeps it interesting.