2020 Book of Learning - Page 3

51% of the responses highlighted continue to stream services and use Zoom

11% of the responses highlighted shorter services in future

“Shorter main services and the opportunity to join the different breakout groups afterwards to go deeper.”

“It would be great to continue some kind of Bible 'zoom' to give people opportunity to discuss the reading and sermon and how to apply it in our lives. Could that be around a table/ in table groups over coffee after a service? Can we continue to livestream or record and stream our services so that those who are not able to be present can still join in?”

“I don't think we should go back to 1½  hour services More opportunities to discuss the bible with help from ministers - this 'feels' different to doing bible study on our own in home groups. Bible Zoom could be a new way of offering the Bible School.”

“By still videoing the services so that people like me who are housebound can still share in what is going on at St Giles By still doing Zoom discussions”

“Even if the building opens up again I would still record services so that there is an option to watch them from home. For example for older people, or if you help out with kids church in the morning, you might be too tired to go in the evening but still want some spiritual input and this would allow you to watch the service from home. It was nice have different church members/kids lead prayers.”

“Really want to continue the accessibility part of our church life. This time has really opened my mind to doing church differently and that it really works! We don't have to just be in the building! Have really appreciated the skill of our musicians and tech/ sound team. The quality of home produced music tracks has been outstanding.”

We cannot be content to go back to what was before. There needs to be a resurrection of our common life.” 
Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury

 “Something is stirring in the UK. There, I’ve said it. I’ve hesitated to write this post. It's probably premature. We're still bang-slap in the middle of a vast crisis and no one really knows how it's all going to end. But here's the thing: over recent weeks, and particularly over this last week, prayers that some of us have been praying for decades, suddenly seem to be finding answers in the most unexpected ways.

Are all these developments any more than embers in the hearth? Has this past week been without its share of heartbreak? Are any of these encouragements guaranteed to last? To all these questions we must clearly answer with an emphatic ‘no!’ But could these embers spark a wildfire? Does tragedy inevitably precede resurrection? Could this be the beginning of the spiritual awakening in our nation for which so many have been praying so faithfully and for so long?” Pete Greig, 24-7 prayer movement.

As above…while restrictions continue, we will continue with what is ‘on offer.’ We are actively working on a phased-return while recognising that the online offerings will need to continue for the immediate future.

The format and content of services will take account of the feedback offered while ensuring that what we do is God-honouring and God-centred. We also need to remain open to the ‘new things’ God is inviting us into.

He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.

Matthew 13:52