HYBRID PLANNING TEAM’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHURCH COUNCIL AND THE FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD - approved by vote at May 21, 2021 Meeting

Hybrid Committee Recommendations regarding proposed contract with Power Sound of New England’s services to install a system providing live streaming from our Sanctuary, improved audio-visual to overflow crowds in the Parish Hall, and bi-directional access and participation for and with our remote attendees (through Zoom and projected images):

Create A Tech Team

·        We create a tech team of 3-4 people who understand the functionality of this equipment and stay educated about its capacities. The team would help us avoid under-utilizing the technology, and also avoid “being run by it.”

·        The tech team would be those first trained by PSNE and the trainers of others. The team would be coordinated by Molly Conole, Church Administrator of Operations and New Media.

·        We commit to engaging youth in this technology, by training them on the equipment.

·        The tech team be charged with maximizing the bidirectionality piece. We loved Zoom for engagement and interaction. Let’s prioritize warmth and interactivity.

Communications

·        We cannot say “Build it and they’ll Come.” We need to have a social media strategy.

·        We prepare ourselves to receive all the new people we’re welcoming – Online guest book, online giving, online deacon, etc.

·        Cathlin has prepared weekly updates in the email newsletter to keep the congregation informed. We suggest that we offer information sessions about Hybrid Church during coffee hour, following worship on the first few Sundays in June. We also recommend that a snail mailing go out about the Hybrid Church plans and the return to in-person worship. 

Stay True to Values and Priorities

·        We recommend that the church engage in a strategic planning process soon (February 2022), so that we are clear about core values and strategic priorities. These values and priorities can be a litmus test for embarking on projects/programs inspired by the new technology.  

·        Let us commit to patience as we try new things, evaluate and adapt. Let us be rooted in kindness and compassion, especially during times of major transition.

MORE INFORMATION

INFORMATION SESSIONS

We will be holding three information sessions where you can hear all about how this move to Hybrid Church aligns with our mission, and the many details our committees and leadership considered and approved to implement it:

Sunday, June 6 - online, approx. 11am, right after Zoom worship (instead of coffee hour)

Tuesday, June 8 - in-person at the church, 5:30pm

Sunday June 13 - online, approx. 11am, right after Zoom worship (instead of coffee hour)

AND MORE…

Click on any of the buttons below to read more details on: How Hybrid Church builds on our mission to be Extravagantly Welcoming (Rev. Cathlin’s Letter); How You Can Help (Council Chair’s Appeal); Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s & Answers); Our technology’s vendor (Who is Power Sound of NE?); and Spec’s on the equipment being installed in our Sanctuary and Parish Hall (Equipment Details).