Cafe: Monocle Article

Monocacy Monocle Article

The local newspaper, the Monocacy Monocle, wrote this article about the Connection Cafe:

Maybe the Beatles Saw It Coming

By Rande Davis

Eleanor Rigby saw all the lonely people and wanted to know where do they all come from. Finally, we have the answer. They come from cyberspace. People virtually wandering from place to place with their laptops in hand going to nonexistent places like Facebook, Twitter, My Space, you name it, where friends can talk but never meet -- high tech, low touch. The world of cyberspace can be a cold, cold place.

Poolesville Presbyterian Church (PPC) decided there must be a better way. Their answer? A ministry of hospitality, an oasis for digital nomads, where people can find a free, friendly, and comfortable place to connect to the internet, share a cup of coffee or tea with others, listen to music, attend workshops, and when in a really radical mood, actually talk to others. Welcome to Connection Cafe, located in their fellowship hall, a place to meet others, a cafe with free Wi-Fi, laptops you may use, serving coffee -- and selling it by the pound -- along with healthy snacks.

Why would a church open a cybercafe? Rev. Ruth Everhart recognizes that many people spend increasing amounts of time online. Cyberspace has become that "third place" where people go outside of work and family to hang out with like-minded people and build friendships. "In a sense, cyberspace has replaced the front porch of yesteryear. Rather than bemoan that fact, why not build a community -- or perhaps many small communities -- that include a cyber-component, but also include the tried and true elements of human contact, sharing of common interest with simple snacks and coffee."

On October 2 at 7:00 p.m. Connection Cafe opens its doors in the Fellowship Hall of the church located at 17800 Elgin Road in Poolesville. Pastor Ruth says: "At PPC we are both high-tech and high-touch. This cafe is not just for the techie. If you have ever felt 'left behind' by new technology, wishing someone could show you the magic of Google Sketch-up or the basics of Power Point, they are planning workshops to assist you."

Cafe Connection will be open three evenings a week -- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Mondays will be Genealogy Research night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stop by for a demonstration of the online Genealogy engine. On Wednesday, Connection Cafe will have some day time hours as well, starting at 2:00 p.m. and staying open to 9:00 p.m. This would be a great time to come in and see the art exhibits of local artists. One Saturday a month, Connection Cafe will offer live music from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Their website will offer listings of scheduled entertainers, dates and topics of workshops, and other information to help keep you connected.