Guidance on Video Conferencing with Young People

Video Conferencing with Young People

In these extraordinary times, you may want to consider virtual meetups with your youth group (secondary school age – 11+). Here is some advice on how to do this safely. Please adhere to the following points:

•             Avoid the use of Skype / Facetime – these are social media tools and as such share contact details with all users, you may inadvertently connect young people up with other people as an unintended consequence.

•             Instead use a video conferencing platform such as Zoom: https://zoom.us/ This is free to use (will give you a 40 min chat) or a paid for account allows you to host longer sessions. Users only need to have an email address for account setup.

• Use of this is beyond the normal running of your group and therefore needs explicit permission before use in the following ways:

o You must have the Elders Meeting approval – speak to your Children’s and Youth Elder or Church Secretary to discuss and minute that this is happening – why not trial a video conference with some of these people first?! This does not need to be a complicated process.

o You need parental consent – set up an email which explains what you are doing, the date and time of the video conference session, which youth leaders are participating and what you roughly will be doing. Ask for a reply as a form of consent and keep these emails in a separate folder.

o Use parents/carers email address to send the meeting invite to, especially as young people never check their emails(!) and this ensures parents/carers are aware that it is happening and can set up the young people to access the session appropriately with any oversight if they want.

• ‘Normal’ youth group rules would apply including with regards to recruitment and safeguarding process – i.e. you need at least 2 safely recruited youth leaders present who would normally have ‘real time’ contact with this group. Make sure both leaders are live before young people arrive. Ideally use the same time slot as your normal youth group meeting. If new youth members want to join the group, they should have ‘normal’ group consent forms filled in as well… you will want them to come to the real group anyway when it re-forms. If you are recruiting new leaders for this group, then a safer recruitment process must be followed before they can participate (please see https://urc.org.uk/good-practice-policy-and-procedures).

•             Codes of conduct – appropriate behaviour for leaders should be followed as you would expect in the usual youth group setting, it might be worth a discussion with your leaders around this before the meeting happens.

•             As always, be inclusive – are there any young people from your group who would struggle to participate in this way, what extra support can be put in place for them?

•             As well as the video interface, there is usually space to write comments and participants can screen share too – consider use of this facility for example to write one-word answers to questions to share, be creative!

•             Be aware of and sensitive to technical difficulties! There can be issues with speakers and microphones! Chances are young people will have this sussed but leaders may have issues… !! Use the software with leaders first to try and sort out any difficulties.

•             DO NOT RECORD. Most video conferencing software allows for the session to be recorded – this is an option for the host of the meeting only. Avoid doing this, as you would need separate permission for data capture and there are all sorts of issues around storage, GDPR etc.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another

 to acts of love and good works.

And let us not neglect our meeting together,

as some people do,

but encourage one another,

especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

Adapted from a resource by Simon Hill, Youth Officer, Diocese of Worcester

Information On Some Youth Work Resourcing

Here is some info received from UK Christian Youth Work Consortium, and the video conferencing with YP guidance for the URC. 

Coronavirus: A youth ministry liveblog

From an email from Martin Saunders at Youthscape

We’re investing a lot of resource into maintaining a regularly-updated liveblog on the Youthscape website:

www.youthscape.co.uk/coronavirus

You will be able to see the sorts of things that we ae creating, collating and sharing.  It’s a mix of new stuff which we are creating, and we are sharing great things which others are making and doing during the current crisis.

Current headlines are:

     New online safeguarding guidance in collaboration with thirtyone:eight

     What happens to face-to-face youth work now?

     How to ‘Zoom’

     Podcast: Virtual Youth Work

Coronavirus and youth work/ministry

Most church groups and denominations have rushed into online guidance, please check appropriate national guidance and support.

UKYouth and the National Youth Agency have pulled together to launch a new web resource for the youth sector - https://youthworksupport.co.uk/

Advice on Weddings and Funerals

URC Advice on

Wedding and Funeral Services

UPDATED 24th March

Wedding and Funeral Services

Questions arise in many congregations about whether we can host and conduct wedding and funeral services in the current emergency. This update responds to the Prime Minister’s broadcast on 23 March. It is possible that guidance could change in the days and weeks ahead. But this is how we appear to stand just now.

Wedding services are NOT allowed at the moment. These are among the various kinds of gathering that the Government has banned. That ruling will be very distressing for couples who are on the threshold of a new life together. But for the next few weeks we have not been given a choice.

Funerals are still allowed, but we must keep them very small. Plan a simple committal ceremony at cemetery or crematorium with an intentionally very small number of people present. Tributes can be paid in other ways – either online, or in a church newsletter – or given in a memorial service later in the year. All of that will surely feel unsatisfactory. But there is not a satisfactory way to deal with these issues. We don’t want anyone’s life to end because someone attended a funeral.

First Emailing - Being Church in the Context of Covid-19 - some practical suggestions

Being Church in the Context of Covid-19

As we face these challenging times, here are some practical suggestions from Lindsey, Nicola and Paul.  We will try and maintain a weekly mailing, probably on a Tuesday, so do look out for that.  We realise that there is a lot of out of stuff out there, but thought that our own Synod ‘offering’ would be good to make, though there will be duplication of information. At the end of this note you will find our contact details, a reminder of what to do in the event of any safeguarding issues, and (one of the things we have been asked about) URC advice on weddings and funerals.

Mothering Sunday – THIS Sunday

Remember the note about 7pm and lighting a candle in Paul’s letter of yesterday, but other suggestions would be:

Check out:  www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome22mar

www.rootsontheweb.com/adultsathome22mar

A prayer activity to do together at home for Mothering Sunday

Together plant some seeds either in a plant pot or in the garden. As you plant each seed think about how it is a symbol of the growth we are asking God for in our prayers.

It’s not just babies and children who need a helping hand to learn how to grow well. Sometimes families and communities need help to make the most of their lives. Some feel a bit weak and need help to grow strong; others feel worried and unsure about the way they are living and need help to grow in confidence; there are some who live where there’s a lot of fighting and they need help to grow peace instead of conflict.

Pray together

Loving Lord, as we plant these seeds, we pray that strength will grow and flourish in families and communities. Amen

Loving Lord, as we plant these seeds, we pray that confidence will grow and flourish in families and communities. Amen

Loving Lord, as we plant these seeds, we pray for peace to grow and flourish in families and communities. Amen

The Church Building

·        What do your noticeboards say about your church at the moment? While the building may be closed it is really important not to send the message that the Church is!  Have notices up -and clearly visible- for how members / friends / the community can still contact your church networks; offer reassurance and comfort. 

Worship

·        URC Daily Devotions’ Sunday services: subscribe to the Daily Devotions (‘click here’ on the web page) for access to new Sunday services:

https://devotions.urc.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR34VFTBnhvCN6gyBMdCyzwLEebyVJVuzGqVOLnPxhs4Ac3T6eH3COPW7RQ

·        United Reformed Churches’ live and recorded services

https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3385-coronavirus-worshipping-digitally?fbclid=IwAR0UYqXig3HNH3goGNipKlASHe2HQP-TsJT13D8qKnT0Y4qgJf3_v6VkLrw

·        Want to get an audio message to your church?  Read how to set up a podcast:

https://urc.org.uk/images/Communications/docs/Recording_a_podcast.pdf

Pastoral Care / community outreach

·        Are your pastoral lists up-to-date?  Do those on pastoral care rotas have time to make phone calls every few days?  A telephone cascade system is the most inclusive way for us to keep in contact with our members (and not just the most vulnerable: stopping services and groups means that we will lose touch with many people if we don’t act).  This is something that everyone can be involved in: you don’t need technology or transport or physical energy, just a phone, and it makes everyone feel useful.

·        Set up a group to share prayer requests / needs etc on WhatsApp

https://urc.org.uk/images/Communications/docs/How_to_use_WhatsApp.pdf*

·        Get volunteers and print and distribute cards to neighbours / members of the church community / those self-isolating etc letting people know what help you can offer (example at the end; you may want to design your own including the name of your church)

·        Start a ‘notelet ministry’, sending cards to people.  The message doesn’t have to be deeply profound, just letting people know that you’re there.

·        Check the status of your local Foodbank.  They need different kinds of support at the moment.  If it is at risk of closing consider setting up a box / cupboard outside your building as a Little Free Pantry (leave what you can, take what you need)

http://www.littlefreepantry.org/

https://www.facebook.com/LFPUK/

Groups

·        Set up your Lent / prayer / study group on WhatsApp to discuss and share ideas

https://urc.org.uk/images/Communications/docs/How_to_use_WhatsApp.pdf

·        If you bought your resources for the group it is almost certainly permissible for you to reproduce those materials by scanning pages / sharing video links (to pre-existing members) so that you can do them independently then share your thoughts

·        Messy Church? Toddler Groups? Dementia Groups? 

Put packs together for the session being missed; either email, post or make physically available for half an hour, for example, at the church door at the time the group would have met.

Try and include a reading / reflection, song and prayer as well as a description of the activity.  If you think the resources would be available in a normal home don’t try and do all the shopping – it can be part of the distraction of those self-isolating to gather things together.  Try a cooking / making / planting activity that you might not have been able to do if you had met.  Set up a WhatsApp group* or similar to compare notes / pictures.

·        Film Nights / book clubs (if you don’t have one already this is a good time to start)

Nominate the film or book as usual (if a film try and find something currently available, on the BBC/ iPlayer for example).  Give participants questions / conversation starters before they watch the film / read the book.  Buddy up in pairs on the phone or use a group chat (WhatsApp / Zoom / Lifesize / Skype) to discuss afterwards.

·        

     For children at home: creative ideas for your families to do at home together

https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/

Church Grounds

·        Do you have a garden, courtyard or bench?  Publicise it if it is open for reflection / getting out of the house / being at one with nature / weeding / planting.  Where possible make reflective material available and update it every few days.

Safeguarding update

For Any safeguarding queries I am working from home.  All enquires and concerns can come to me in the usual way either via email or my mobile phone 07515721172.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

cydo@urceastern.org.uk    Nicola

URC Advice on Wedding and Funeral Services 

Questions are likely to arise in many congregations about whether we can host and conduct wedding and funeral services in the current emergency.

Here are some thoughts about what we might do at the moment. It is possible that this guidance could change in the days and weeks ahead.

Wedding couples could be asked to consider holding the service with the legal minimum number of people present (five, I believe). Then they could defer their main celebration to another time, when it could of course include a much fuller church service.

Funerals often attract a lot of elderly mourners. So perhaps we should think instead about a simple committal ceremony at cemetery or crematorium with an intentionally very small number of people present.

Tributes can then be paid in other ways for larger numbers of people to read – either online, or in a church newsletter – or given in a memorial service later in the year.

All of that may feel very unsatisfactory. But there is not a satisfactory way to deal with these issues. We don’t want anyone’s life to end because they attended a funeral.

 Further, ministers or other worship leaders who are vulnerable – either because they are over 70, or because of health issues – should surely stand down from public duty. Much can be done from home, by phone and online. As a Church, we ask those who care for us to care for themselves too, especially when life could be at risk.

A prayer for uncertain times

The Moderators of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church (URC), the Revd Nigel Uden and Derek Estill, have offered the following prayer as the UK and the rest of the world come to terms with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’    Psalm 46:1, NRSV

As so much is re-shaped by Coronavirus Covid 19, 

us pray with people left unwell, beckoned by death or bereaved;
people providing professional health care and advice, looking after loved ones at home or working to create treatments and cures;
people shaping the response of nations and neighbourhoods, of commerce and industry, of service and voluntary organisations and of communities of faith;
people who are anxious or afraid, alone or isolated.

Living, loving God, we praise you, and through times of peril we lean into you,
for in Jesus Christ you have trodden paths as difficult as ours,
revealing there a love that nothing defeats, a love that bears us through.

Even as we strive to behave responsibly, and to care reliably,
so we feel after you that in these uncertain times we might trust you are with us,
our refuge and strength, and our faith, hope and love might be renewed,
through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Our prayers and our best wishes,

PAUL                          moderator@urceastern.org.uk            07534 274668

LINDSEY                     training@urceastern.org.uk                 07801 352340

NICOLA                       cydo@urceastern.org.uk                     07515 721172

Pastoral Letter of 20th March

Dear All

What can I say?  We are in an unprecedented situation indeed. May God sustain you in and through all that we are experiencing.

Many Scriptures have come to mind these past few days, but the one I want to share is some words of Paul to Timothy – for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to keep guard until that day what I have entrusted to him (2 Timothy 1:12).

It is difficult to hold on to hope in an apparently hopeless situation, but that’s our call – and we can, and should, have confidence in God.

I have avoided giving advice in a general way up to this point because, mostly, it would have changed before it was issued.  However, I have had a number of specific inquiries – and that’s fine.  I, and the office, are very happy to respond to your inquiries.  By now, most of the answers to your likely questions are actually out there, but they are not always easy to find.  There is a lot of information on the main URC website.  Lindsey, our Mission and Training Officer, is preparing a list of resources and suggestions, which will be on the website, but we will also email round, together with any other key bits of church-related advice over the next few days.

Like many, I have been cancelling most things I expected to do in the immediate future, and that is clearly going to continue, and we don’t know for how long.  Any meetings or visits up to the end of April, and very likely beyond, will probably be postponed or cancelled – but if anyone, for whatever reason, would like a personal conversation with me, do email and request it.  We can set up for Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime – or even the phone!

For the moment, at least, we are keeping the Synod Office open, but with some home working, so it may be that the person you wish to speak to is not there on a particular day.  However, we should be able to get them to call you back, and to respond to anything reasonably quickly.  Email might be best in many circumstances as it should go straight to the right person.

It is really weird that church services across the Synod have been cancelled indefinitely – but, though church buildings may be closing, the Church is still very much open for business.  Especially, I want to encourage you that we pray our way through this thing.  The Presidents of Churches Together in England have issued a National Call to Prayer.  They ask that at 7pm. this coming Sunday (Mothering Sunday) we light a candle and put it in the window of our home as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.  I would encourage you to do that.  One of my colleagues has suggested to her Synod that we might all pause for prayer at 7pm. each evening, perhaps just for a couple of minutes, to pray.  Again, I encourage you to do that.

Let me conclude for the moment, with a prayer offered by the URC’s General Secretariat: Lord Jesus,
In the midst of a storm, You said, ‘Peace be still.’
Bid our anxious fears subside,
Sustain your church in faith, hope and love, Bring our nation through this tumult,
Grant wisdom to those with heavy responsibilities,

And healing and hope to those who are infected.              Amen.

Take care,                                       

PAUL