Livestreaming improving and continuing
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Preaching to livestream-only participants
I'm very happy (and relieved) that we had a really successful livestreaming experience last Sunday! Our sound has gone from "too quiet" to "too loud," but last Sunday was "just right!" We're getting the hang of our sound and video and YouTube interface. Thank you for your patience and support.
Current thoughts about reopening for in-person church activities
As places of worship in Arizona begin reopening for in-person meetings and church services, I want to reiterate that, for me, reopening at Sunrise Chapel is a matter of appropriate health measures, not political stands. Also, we need to be loving and respectful of each other’s needs and sensitivities. Please be patient. I am still seeking guidance and support from the General Church Administrative Team as well as our
own Board of Directors.
This Sunday, I will continue to focus primarily on the livestream via our YouTube channel. This new electronic medium is here to stay, and I intend to continue improving it even when we return to in-person church services.
In addition to the livestream, I welcome a small number of people to attend in person under the health guidelines of the CDC and the guidance of the Governor’s office, including the following:
1. Stay safe while being kind and respectful. If you attend, observe the guidelines. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, please take care of yourself first; feel free to leave without any negative judgments.
2. Do not attend in person if you are sick, or if you are concerned about getting sick, or if you are at high risk. Instead, please continue to participate remotely.
3. As a community of people who love and respect each other, wearing a mask is a community service to protect each other, especially the vulnerable. Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. Please bring your own face covering (mask, scarf, bandana, etc).
4. Practice social distancing while on the church property (inside buildings and outside) including no-touch greetings.
5. Current social distancing guidelines from the CDC and FEMA recommend 113 sq ft per person indoors, which means limiting our number of participants in the main seating area of the Chapel to about 15. The service will also be viewable on the TV monitors in the small group room and in Friendship Hall.
6. On entering and leaving the buildings, wash hands with soap or use hand sanitizer.
In addition, these are procedures we will follow during the church service:
• The air conditioning will be turned off just prior to the church service to reduce circulation of airborne particles
• Sanitary wipes will be available for individuals to wipe down the chairs and surfaces they use
• Bathroom use will be limited to one person at a time, using only the main bathrooms in Friendship Hall
• We are not handing out printed bulletins or songbooks. Instead, the song lyrics will be projected on the monitor and announcements will either be projected or verbal.
Please, let me know whatever you think. It's hard to run a church without hearing from a representative group of people. I'm doing the best I can, and I don't want to put any volunteers or visitors in any unsafe positions. I appreciate your help and patience!
Also, these two resources from the Pima County Health Department have been useful resources to me:
With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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Photo: ZOOM logo
After church, Zoom with me at Noon!
This after church meeting has been a good, casual time for "check ins" and informal conversation. Everyone is welcome. It's fun to see each other and say hello. You can pop in for a bit and leave whenever you need to. It's also important to me to get some feedback about the church service and any other aspects of church life.
Here are the instructions:
AFTER the service ends, we will take a little break. Get a snack, if you want.
Then at NOON, join the Zoom meeting with either the link or the phone-in instructions below.
To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link at NOON
If this link doesn't work for you, go to Zoom.us and enter these credentials for the meeting:
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020
If you ONLY want to call in (without your computer or video), use one of these phone numbers and follow the prompts. You will have to enter the Meeting ID and the password. You will be able to listen and talk (but you won’t see anyone and no one will see you).
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020
A note about managing Zoom security
In addition to Zoom's new requirement of a password, for the sake of security, I have also enable the "waiting room" feature to our Zoom call. When you join the meeting, you will enter this "waiting room" until I - as the leader - "let you in."
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Photo: laptop + coffee
Weekday Meditation (9:00-9:30 am MT) This is the link for the Monday meditation that I lead, but it is also the same link for the rest of the weekdays, led by other folks. Try it! You might like it!
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
New Church Vineyard (This is a RICH source of KID-ORIENTED content for all sorts of stories from the Bible and the teachings of Swedenborg. Use this for family worship and for "Sunday school" type activities to enhance your spiritual lives at home.)
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End of Fiscal Year Fundraising
Our church runs on a fiscal year ending June 30th. This is typically the time of year where we make an extra appeal for fundraising. Of course we had hoped to hold a significant fundraiser event at the end of March, but the CoViD-19 outbreak put a hold on that.
This year is also a very trying time for many. It's important to be clear about 2 things:
1. Fundraising is never our goal. It is simply a means to continue the work that we do at Sunrise Chapel... worshiping, facilitating small groups, connecting, serving, and creating our beautiful spiritual home together.
2. We understand that for some during this very unique situation of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, it is creating a very challenging financial situation. We DO NOT want anyone to feel pressured to give.
We do, however, want people to be mindful of our financial picture in order to continue doing the important work that we are so blessed to do together.
If you feel called to make a donation at this time we deeply appreciate it. If you feel called to pledge a planned gift, that would be amazing. All gifts, no matter the amount, help us get to our goal and help support the infrastructure needed for daily and weekly operations.
You can donate virtually through Sunrise Chapel's PayPal account or send a check directly to Sunrise Chapel, C/O William Smith, Treasurer, 8421 E Wrightstown Rd. Tucson, AZ 87515
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Your church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in the practice of cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy
www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245
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