With technology infiltrating all corners of modern society, Ohio University Southern is helping local churches and non-profit organizations find their way through the high-tech minefield.

OUS provided audio, video and multimedia workshops, forums and product demonstrations Tuesday to more than 30 members of the community to help their church or organization keep up with changing technology.

Van Firestine is pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Raceland, Ky. He visited OUS Tuesday to learn about lighting and camera techniques and newsletters and bulletins.

"This is highly important because our church is going into the media technology end, and it has to be sharper," he said. "We began July of last year, so it is very new to our church."

In addition to the workshops, Firestine said he was interested in the product demonstrations because the church would like to improve its videotaping abilities.

Free workshops included preparing newsletters and

bulletins, building a computer slide show, non-linear film editing, recording techniques, camera and lighting techniques and incorporating new media into ministries. An open forum was hosted afterwards to provide question-and-answer opportunities.

Sue MacDonald came representing Sheridan Freewill Baptist Church in Perry Township because she was recently placed in charge of the bulletin. She said it seemed like a great opportunity to get a little professional assistance.

"Even if I only learn one thing that sticks, it is worth it," she said. "We just started about a month ago, so it is all new to me."

Joseph Jarrett, pastor at West Moreland United Methodist Church in Huntington, W.Va., uses technology in his congregation whenever he can, and thought he would enjoy and learn at the event.

"At the church I was at before, I had been preaching with a laptop at the pulpit," he said. "We are just now exploring opportunities to incorporate multi-media into this church."

Even though most of his skills are self-taught, Jarrett said he has come up with several creative ways to use multi-media tools such as incorporating video clips that emphasize a sermon, taping birthday greetings and having a homebound person read the Sunday scriptures.

"There are lots of ways to use technology to make it very interactive," he said.

Last year, 50 or 60 people took advantage of the workshops. This year,

the scope of the project has changed a little to include the Web and brochures, which seems to be the most popular area, Don Moore, director of electronic media, said.

"About five or six years ago, we did one workshop for audio. It was packed," Moore said. "Now that we have the facilities, last year was the first full-sized event."

Also, multimedia companies gave product demonstrations in the Rotunda to show off their high-tech toys. Companies present included Professional Products, Inc., of Dunbar, W.Va., Millennium Duplicating, Elkview, W.Va., Sony, Hitachi and Adelphia Cable.