I've apparently always asked "why?" Technology doesn't ask (or answer) this question.
I grew up a "preacher's kid"--my dad was a United Methodist minister and served in the Nebraska Conference nearly 40 years, and I grew up in church listening to his sermons and being a part of the congregation, Sunday School, youth group at local and district levels.
I attended church camp at the earliest opportunity. I remember one particular experience (8th grade) at a "Mid-winter Institute" in Wayne, Nebraska where I had a conversation with God that further laid the groundwork for my commitment to ministry in several forms over the following years. MYF was important in my faith development, and a study called "Sex and the Whole Person" helped answer some of my youthful questions. I preached youth Sunday one year when I was in high school (I Tim. 4:12).
Of course, I was deeply affected by my experience with polio at a very young age--my first memories are from the hospital. I was struck by the Korean War, and for a time kept a scrapbook of the news stories coming out of that area. I wondered about a lot of things, including Santa Claus, Jesus, war, and families.
I always liked studying the English language. High school and college English classes were favorites, and I had a particularly good English prof who continued to encourage my writing skills. I loved music and took piano lessons for several years, played in bands and orchestras (the latter in college). After starting with drums, I switched to French Horn in 6th grade and continued playing through and beyond seminary.
Faith and faith questions have been prominent themes along with the technological interests mentioned here. In college, after starting out in physics, my major became music, then religion and philosophy. I graduated with a minor in music and a major in religion and philosophy.
I was active in the Methodist Student Movement and University Christian Movement, one year being a worship leader for the campus group. The Eighth Quadrennial convocation of the MSM in Lincoln was a major turning point in my life and faith journey, and edged me towards ministry.
I attended the Claremont School of Theology, participating in the worship festivals either in the chorus or instrumental group. I was challenged and blessed with the rigor of the academics and the humanity of professors, particularly John Cobb. I focused on sexuality and ethics, writing my senior project comparing two sex education programs for the church: UM and UU.
In ministry, I served two UM parishes: Jeffercon County Larger Parish and PEACe Parish in Nebraska. I did a short-term interim ministry with Ebenezer UCC in Lincoln, and during seminary, youth ministry in LA First Baptist and Claremont UMC.
Ministry and sexuality interests and commitments came together in service on a Nebraska Conference committee somewhat euphemistically called "Human Identity and Relationships." These themes also came together in a Ministry in Human Sexuality which I founded and led for 7 years in Lincoln, Nebraska. In this, I offered counseling, education and advocacy for churches, groups, and individuals.
After we moved to Denver, I was active in Warren UMC and in 2001 brought my ministry and technology interests together in the work at the Rocky Mountain Conference of The United Methodist Church as a communications and data technician.