If there ever was a sign that social networking is changing the way that we live our lives, it may have been yesterday (February 25, 2009) at a MARTA train station in Atlanta, GA. MARTA is Atlanta’s light rail system and the Five Points station is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
From ajc.com:
“This was Ash Wednesday for the 21st century. A group of Christians in metro Atlanta, connected by personal friendships and social Web sites such as Facebook, organized a surprise service in the MARTA Five Points station at 5 p.m.
Bill Davis, hauling a cello through the station, suddenly removed it from his case and began playing a requiem. From out of the crowd, Nancy Shim joined him and began playing flute and then David Ra, with his classical guitar, began accompanying them.
The sudden gathering, called a flash mob because it materialized quickly and was organized via text messages and Internet social networking, was over in a matter of minutes.
But before the MARTA cops could move in, several ministers and other participants in the crowd began marking about 20 others’ foreheads with ashes — to mark the start of Lent, a period of penance and fasting preceding Easter. Busy commuters mostly passed by with just a glance, though one stopped for a prayer with one of the men marking others.
Davis, the cellist, said of his participation in the public display, ‘Music is this universal language, no matter what your tradition. I think a public witness… is an amazing display of one’s faith.’
Troy Bronsink, a Presbyterian pastor and one of the organizers, said they wanted to bring the service outside of a sacred space. He was not sure how MARTA police would react.
‘I know it’s kind of touchy with MARTA, but everybody is here” he said, looking around at those busily walking past.'”
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