Sadly we have had to cancel public meetings whilst the covid-19 virus is a threat.
However we hope to help people to connect online via this site. The Thy Kingdom Come 24 Hour Prayer can continue but online start and close meetings. We hope to experiment with an online forum! If you would like to help test this, please contact us via the contact us page
Below are links to help you to connect despite social isolation. If you know of more useful links, please contact us via the form on the contact us page.
Live streamed and recorded church services:
- www.churchservices.tv
- Choral Evensong
- BBC Daily Service
- BBC Sunday Worship
- Mass at Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
How to live stream and hold online meetings
Going Online is a draft CTSA document outlining some approaches to live streaming including multi camera and online meetings. Note that live streamed meetings can be done with only a minister entering the church.
How to live stream
Live streaming your church service is free and not that hard to do. You need a mobile, either WiFi or good mobile date and a YouTube or Facebook account. Below are links with instructions. Remember to have your mobile in landscape (sideways) orientation when recording
YouTube: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2474026?hl=en-GB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/799185466881268/?helpref=hc_fnav
How to use more than one camera
This can be done in a number of ways, see Going Online
How to have live meetings
There are a number of technologies that allow you to have effective and fun meetings. Given that face to face meetings, though preferable are not an option at this time, now is a good time to get going with online meetings. Skype, Google Hangouts and Zoom all provide free meetings.
So far I have found that Zoom is excellent and much better than Skype. It allows much better quality and control over large meetings. It is limited to 50 participants and 40 mins in the free package, otherwise one person needs to have a £11.99 package for up to 100 people and effectively unlimited meetings.
Tips
- It is best to use a laptop or a desktop as a larger screen will help you to see more people.
- If you are using a mobile, have it in portrait orientation
- Do not have the camera too close to your face, it is better to see you in your surroundings.
- Try to have a meeting off the hour and half hour as there can be high traffic at these times. Go for times like 6:50 or 8:10
- If you’ve not used Zoom before, have a test meeting with someone first. Not absolutely essential: Zoom set up is straight forward. Use our Contact Us page to set up a meeting with me if you like.
Thats all for now
Thank you – keep well, keep praying!
Peter Berners-Lee
Convener, Churches Together in St Albans