Slideshow image

On Tuesday, August 11, Dave Allan the founder of the Canadian Anglican Communicators sent out information to members of the group and to diocesan leadership to communicate a synopsis of the discussions that have recently been taking place within the Canadian Anglican Communicator’s forum.

It is as follows:

We are all faced with supporting our parishes as they choose and learn new online ministry modes of informing and engaging their congregations.

The big question for many parishes is how to continue serving an online audience when we return to physical gathering.

The individual learning curve for each parish is steep, yet the time and energy expensed could be eased by sharing knowledge amongst peers.

Would you kindly please help us get the word out to the parishes you support about the ongoing discussion in our cross Canada online Anglican Communicators’ forum?

Here is a summary of current discussions on the forum:

Those of you who are involved with producing and managing online ministry may be looking at effective ways to include cameras and live streaming in the sanctuary that do not get in the way of the liturgy, clergy or participants during physical worship.

  1. Adequate budget and knowledgeable volunteers are critical determinants in making the choice of online ministry approaches.
  2. Presiding clergy should not be expected to multi-task and manage the equipment and live streams during the service. Dedicated volunteers are a necessary resource for effective online ministry.
  3. Connection to the internet in the sanctuary, either through a direct cable connection or WiFi or a cellphone data plan is one of the major necessary expenses. If a parish does not have a budget for this, then recording during the service and uploading the video elsewhere is an option.
  4. Some parishes may want to continue using Zoom or WebEx to live stream since their community is already familiar with it. The suggestion is to connect a quality webcam on a discrete stand and cabled to the laptop managed by a volunteer in the front pews. The volunteer would manage the online waiting room, display liturgical texts, presentation graphics, bulletins, and song lyrics through screen share, and respond to chat during the service.
  5. Various camera systems and switcher/controller apps are being discussed for parishes who have budgets around $500, $1,000 and over. For small parishes, the GoPro and Mevo Start cameras (about $500) are viable systems for live streaming with apps that connect directly to social media, Vimeo and YouTube. The Mevo Start also can be used as a webcam to stream to Zoom. Higher budget options include DSLRs dedicated camcorders, and Point-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras networked through switching units such as the Blackmagic ATEM.
  6. Live streaming systems being recommended are: Switcher Studio, Church Online Platform, OBS Broadcaster, Streamyard, Ecamm, Restream and others.

Dave and the membership of Canadian Anglican Communicators are keen to have folks visit the forum and dig into these topics more deepley. They would also like to add to the membership as with additions to the member comes additional information and innovation about how we can better use digital communications technology to connect with our communities and beyond.  

There are a number of people from our diocese who are members and there are a number of General Synod staff comms professionals who have joined the group.   

Please join us at https://canadian-communicators.myanglican.info