Connecting Hearts

with “Kemudi Semar“

Stube-HEMAT Indonesia Multiplication Program in Bengkulu cooperated with Youth of GKSBS Kurotidur-Bengkulu, managed to publish a youth bulletin coincide with entering 100 days since multiplication process began at January 2017. Exactly at 30^th of April, 2017, this church youth’s spiritual media went on circulation. This media is expected to have weekly publication.

Considering Arif Purnama Sidik’s suggestion that the bulletin’s name should represent youth and inter-denomination, the bulletin board then agreed to name it “Kemudi Semar”. What is “Kemudi Semar”? Kemudi Semar is an abbreviation of “Kelompok Muda-Mudi Semarga Kurotidur”. The bulletin is managed by the youth with their respective responsibilities based on the task they have. Yunus Eka Prasetyo, the chief of GKSBS Kurotidur Youth Commission acts as the person in charge of the bulletin publication. The Editor in Chief is Arif Purnama Sidik, while Content Contribution becomes the responsibility of Diana Sari, Marta Lita Viani, Dwi Pranaditya, and Dwi Pujiono.

What is the purpose of publishing this bulletin? Its purpose is simple; this media is a mean for teaching and learning. Learning for whoever wants to pour their idea and information for the congregations. Teaching for fellow youth having study experience at college, share their knowledge. “The vision is clear, for educational purpose, also as a mean of communication among church members,” Yohanes Dian Alpasa, the person in charge of Bengkulu Multiplication Program clarified. Afterwards, Arif Purnama Sidik who is currently studying at FKIP of Open University revealed that contribution of other young fellow to this bulletin is vital because the editorial keep boards keep struggling to find articles that could be published. Anyone who wanted to give contribution to the bulletin could contact him directly.

“Kemudi Semar” is still printed in a simple way for 45 exemplars and then distributed to 42 families in MT Service Region GKSBS Kurotidur. Because the bulletin is still looking for its fixed format and content, the board is still trying to formulate the proper content to be delivered. The content that was planned and published so far is about church’s internal issues and cultural and traditional comprehension.

Members of congregation gave positive responses to the bulletin publishing even some of them asked about the printing costs. Do they need to pay for it? The bulletin management explained that the bulletin is freely given for several editions. The members hope that this bulletin is printed and published continuously.

Slowly but sure, the Multiplication Program tries to reach youth and people that are out-reached by media. Honestly, it can’t be denied that the wave of social media development is unstoppable, but it is unable to touch the logic of the church members who are majority farmers. We hope that this bulletin could soon get its format so it may be a blessing for many people. (YDA)