Online Worship Resources

​The first question many are asking about is live-streaming. Below are some things to consider for gathering online to worship. But first, a huge shoutout to Mike Orr and Caffeinated Church for many of the resources they have provided that we are borrowing below. 

Platform for Streaming
This depends on your goals for gathering. For Morning Prayer or Eucharist, we recommend live-streaming to your Facebook page and embedding the Facebook Live post into your website. There are instructions in a link below via Smartphone or Mevo. For something like a Bible Study, you may want to use Zoom and also share it to your page. 

A word about Equipment
At the end of the day, budget matters. You can pull of a full service on your phone, but it is recommended to budget something towards this if possible. $500 goes a long way in streaming. 

Equipment
This depends on your goals. If you want to do morning prayer, you won't need as much. If you want to do Eucharist, this will require more technology to pull it off well. 
 
Recommendations for morning prayer:
For Eucharist or a nicer all in one set-up:
  • We recommend the Mevo Plus as a great all-in-one solution for churches. It does everything, and it is designed to be used for Facebook Live. Do consider the stand and boost. Total, you can get it streaming ready for around $700.
  • If you have access to a Meeting Owl, this can also work well as it follows director and voice. Another reason to consider a Meeting Owl is for compatibility with Zoom and for the longevity factor of having it for all meetings down the road (though we hope you continue to stream your service). Total, you can get it streaming ready for around $800.
  • If you're interested in even going more high end, contact us, and we will be glad to assist you further. 

Using Facebook Live
Below are some helpful links for setting up a Facebook Live. We recommend Facebook Live because of the easy set up and most people are on Facebook. We have also included a link to embed the Facebook URL onto your website for folks not on Facebook.
Copyright Guidelines
Live-stream changes everything for licensing. Read the full scoop here. 

Zoom
Zoom is an online meeting system that allows people to meet free and easy. It is ideal for connecting for bible studies, vestry meetings, or anything other reason you would choose to meet. E-formation of VTS is releasing a video series on how to use Zoom. Watch here. They offer free account or affordable monthly subscription accounts. The Offices of the Bishop offers an account for congregations. Contact us for more information.

Another neat tool that works well with Zoom and Facebook Live is the Meeting Owl. It can be used for meetings or Eucharist. Imagine a 360 camera that follows movement and voice in the room. Meeting Owl gives the host freedom to move anywhere. It will run you $800. 

Basics on asking Parishioners to submit videos
  • Lighting is everything - if possible to do it outside of the house or in a sunroom - it needs to be a quiet location.
  • Make sure the light is good but not making you squint good.
  • HAVE someone record the video for you if possible but DO NOT let them hold the phone. See further instructions below for height, distance, and camera orientation. If you are unable to find a steady surface at eye level, this is the ONLY reason to let someone physically hold the phone and record - because being eye level is very important and trumps doing a video where you are looking up or down at the lens. If someone is recording for you, they will use the rear-facing camera and record in landscape mode (sideways).
  • If you DO NOT have someone to record for you, put your phone in front-facing camera mode (selfie mode) and have the phone propped up on something. DO NOT hold the phone. 
  • Make sure the camera is in landscape mode meaning sideways - not portrait mode. 
  • You want the video to be eye level - meaning you are looking into the camera as if you are having a conversation with it. 
  • If possible, memorize your text - try not to read off paper. I understand it is a short text, so get confident and learn it!
  • Stand close to the camera - a maximum 2 ft. If possible, mark 2 ft with painters tape with the camera is on one end and you on the other. 
  • Be the center of the frame - meaning the center of the video. 
  • Speak clearly. Speak confidently.
  • Look at the camera lens. 
  • Check before you send - make sure the audio is audible and the camera isn't shaking.