Simple set of 10 questions
When churches were closed during the 2020 lockdown, we had to find a way of transmitting services to our congregation using whatever modern technology was available to us.
At St Peter Mancroft the ministers took it in turns to stream services from their own homes, with varying degrees of success. It was nerve wracking, and something usually went wrong. So, in a project led by Michael Winter and Lorna Allies, we installed the equipment needed to stream our services to our YouTube channel.
Due to the importance and suddenness of this project the PCC agreed to underwrite the costs, which were substantial. To reduce the burden, we sought funding, and were awarded grants from the Sharing Good News Fund and Allchurches Trust, together totalling about half of the total project cost.
The Sharing Good News fund application consisted of a simple set of 10 questions which we were quickly able to complete, with the award letter following within two weeks. All churches Trust had a more complex form, but it was made easier because of their ‘Hope Beyond’ fund (specifically for responses to the pandemic) and they also responded quickly.
We now use our streaming system for Sunday worship, special services, choir and musical events. Our streaming service is available for weddings, funerals and for the different groups using our church for their own events.
It seemed daunting initially, but the Sharing Good News Fund gave us the early encouragement we needed to go forward and we are very grateful for that.
The author...
The Revd Canon Edward Carter
Licensed clergy - Incumbent: Vicar, St Peter Mancroft (Norwich) (Benefice)
This article is from...
Articles in this issue...
Funding awarded
Two churches in the Diocese are set for a major cash boost as the recipients of the Norfolk Social Infrastructure Fund.
More
Welcoming new residents
Housing developments are happening everywhere, Horsford is no exception. Just six miles north from the centre of Norwich, it is a place to which couples and young families are keen to move.
More
VAT is a grey area… but let us add a little colour!
Parochial Church Councils come within the scope of registration for VAT. Whether they do so in practice depends on the extent to which they supply items which are taxable. In most cases, the taxable turnover will not be great enough to call for registration. Some expenditure that most of our PCCs have are listed below, some of which attract reduced or zero-rated VAT.
More
Nurturing early growth
Where are the spaces in your community that enable faith conversation to flourish?
More
The stable which became an Easter Garden
They are many of us saying this – but it is true: ‘We have tried new things because of the pandemic – and there are some things that we want to keep.’
More
Faithful band of pilgrims at Easter
Great Yarmouth Minster is blessed with a set of Stations of the Cross paintings set in our town
More
Thinking about heating?
Before you go any further with a heating project, you should carefully review your current situation.
More
Opportunities to enrich your regular routine
‘Becoming’ is a process; it takes time, and the process itself is the key benefit.
More
Continuing the journey
This spring, our PCC and congregation at All Saints, Chedgrave, were delighted to discover that they had achieved a bronze eco-award.
More
Bronze award pursued
St Mary’s Church, Kelling, is a Grade II listed building set in a large churchyard in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Norfolk coast.
More