Together Apart
A rural church response to coronavirus
Guidance and advice on teleconferencing and live-streaming
Worship via phone and teleconference
Teleconferencing and phone can be a better option for rural churches where internet access is challenging or where those in your congregation are more comfortable with a landline or mobile than with web-based communications.
Home service a hit as more than 80 dial in for telephone church
Some helpful tips from Revd Ruth Frampton…
Do’s and don’ts!
- When people ring in there is a small bleep and their name is announced – as loudly or as softly as they gave it on dialling! It’s not all that intrusive and we became used to it, but it would help if people joined slightly before the service is due to begin. Next Sunday we shall be starting with a hymn – that should cover any latecomers! Hearing people’s names as they join is actually a very heartening thing if you have been on your own for a while.
- When people join together in unison responses their voices are beautifully audible – it really sounds like a congregation. It takes some time to get used to the time lag necessary to let everyone finish, so responsive intercessions are a little slower than usual, as is The Lord’s Prayer.
- If people know how to switch to speaker and listen that way it would prevent extra squeaks if someone else in the same house is using another handset. It also minimises the interference from hearing aids which may otherwise whine intermittently.
- If possible people should be in a quiet space, without a kettle coming to the boil in the background!
Sermons and podcasts by phone
Create a phone number which plays podcasts or sermon recordings over the phone
Worship via live-streaming
Many churches are, for the first time, exploring ways in which they can use video and streaming to share their worship. Here we are simply signposting organisations who have expertise to share. Guidance from a specific denomination is likely to be applicable across the board.
Church of England
A beginner’s guide to going live with your service or event for free
Live-streamed services
CPO are building an ecumenical database of live-streamed services
theleadpastor has compared streaming services used by large churches.
Communication resources
Your stories
Revd Chris Hodgkins
I’ve started to live-stream Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer from my study via Facebook each day. I am amazed at who tunes in from the villages who never come to church, but also how far it reaches; I have had people watch and comment from India and the UAE!
Revd David Butterworth
Thank you for the reflections that you are putting out each week. We have started a new Facebook group called Thoughts from the Orchard, and I am doing a virtual Communion each Sunday from my home. I was able to use your material as part of the first one and it had a great response.
Together Apart: A rural church response to coronavirus includes…
Farming and agriculture support, information and resources
Government and denominational advice and guidance
Practical action and providing support
Guidance and advice on teleconferencing and live-streaming
Resources for children, families and all-age gatherings
Weekly reflections
Worship resources
