Sunday Morning Social Hour
Now that Springfield / Greene County is under a "Stay at Home" order for at least the next 30 days it is even more important that we connect with one another. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the way we do life, but the good news is we don't have to do this alone! Today I want to share another way we can connect as our Trinity family. Starting this Sunday, March 29, we will be hosting a Sunday Morning Social Hour. This will be a time for us to take a pause from the news, social media, and maybe even our worries while we connect with our Trinity family.
Here is how it will work. From 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM we will have an audio/video gathering space setup for you to join from your computer, smart device, or standard phone. There will be breakout rooms for each of our usual Sunday School classes, plus a general space for socializing. You are invited to check in starting at 9:45 AM so we can get folks connected to the right rooms, and then enjoy the time together.
Our hope is this can be a time of normalcy in the midst of a deeply unusual time in our life together. I know that for many of us the idea of attending church events from our computer or smartphone is strange, but I encourage you to consider giving it a try this Sunday.
We are using Zoom as the tool for this gathering. Below I've included a step-by-step guide to joining the gathering via Zoom whether you are using a computer, smart device, or standard phone. I will be available starting at 9:30 in case you have trouble connecting; just give me a call on my cell (816.805.2742) and I'll walk you through getting setup. Here is the basic connection information:
Join by Computer or Smart Device
Click This Link: https://zoom.us/j/928867456?pwd=b3E2N3d5RlllcG9pUVNSYlpPcVl4Zz09
Join by Standard Phone
Dial This Number: +1 312 626 6799
Enter when prompted:
Meeting ID: 928 867 456
Password: 159753
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we gather. While we don't know what the future holds, we do know that we are in this together. I'm proud to be your pastor.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
PS - Look for an email from me on Sunday morning with links to our extended worship service and other devotional resources for you this week.
Joining a Trinity Gathering on Zoom
To join a Trinity Gathering on Zoom you need access to one of the following:
An internet connected computer
An iPhone, iPad, or Android Device
A standard phone with long-distance calling included
There is no cost for you to join a Zoom gathering. You do not need to sign up for an account or provide any personal information to use Zoom, although you can create a free profile to make future calls easier. Here are the steps to connect to Zoom from different devices - I have tried to be exhaustive in my instructions to help all of us, regardless of our tech knowledge, be able to participate. I will be available for at least 15 minutes prior to the gathering to help you connect; call me on my cellphone (816.805.2742) if you are having issues connecting.
From an Internet Connected Computer
Click on the "Join Zoom" link. This will be unique to the gathering; for our Sunday Morning Social Hour this link is: https://zoom.us/j/928867456?pwd=b3E2N3d5RlllcG9pUVNSYlpPcVl4Zz09
This will open a website in your internet browser which will either:
Prompt you to download and run the Zoom installer.
Launch the Zoom app (if you have previously downloaded Zoom).
Click "yes" on any permission dialogue boxes that come up and wait for the Zoom app to launch.
Once the Zoom app launches it will take you to a dialogue which will ask what "audio conference option" you want, choose one of the options:
(Easiest Option) - If your computer has speakers & a microphone, select "Computer Audio" > "Join With Computer Audio"
If your computer doesn't have speakers & a microphone (or you have a slow internet connection), select "Phone Call" and from your phone dial one of the listed numbers and when prompted key in the Meeting ID (it will be listed on your screen). You may also be prompted to enter a Participant ID; this will be listed below the Meeting ID on the screen and is unique to you. This will allow you to see other's video on your screen but talk and listen through your phone.
Once you join your audio you are in the meeting. Move your mouse cursor over the screen to see additional options, like starting/stopping your video (if you computer has a camera), mute or unmute your audio, and open the chat window to sent typed messages to others in the gathering.
When you are ready to leave the meeting, move your mouse over the screen and select the "Leave Meeting" option in the lower right corner of the window.
From an iPhone, iPad, or Android Device
For the smoothest experience, download the Zoom app prior to the gathering. Follow this link and scroll down to "Zoom Mobile Apps" and select the appropriate App Store for your device: https://www.zoom.us/download
To join the gathering, tap on the "Join Zoom" link. This will be unique to the gathering; for our Sunday Morning Social Hour this link is: https://zoom.us/j/928867456?pwd=b3E2N3d5RlllcG9pUVNSYlpPcVl4Zz09
If you have previously installed the Zoom app this link will prompt you to open that app and then launch the meeting.
You will see a dialogue box that asks you how you want to hear others, select one of the options:
(Easiest Option) - Tap "Call using Internet Audio" to use your internet connection to hear others (and be heard).
If you are on a very slow internet connection you may select "Dial In" to use your phone connection for audio; follow the prompts on your screen - they will tell you based on your device if you need to enter the meeting ID or password as you dial in.
Once you join your audio you are in the meeting. Tap the screen to see additional options, like starting/stopping your video, mute or unmute your audio. Note - on some devices if you swipe right it takes you to "Safe Driving Mode" which limits some of your interactions - if you are in this mode swipe left to be taken back to the main screen.
When you are ready to leave the meeting, tap the screen and select the "Leave" option in the upper right corner of the screen.
From a Standard Phone
NOTE: Dialing in from a standard phone will only include audio. The call is not to a local number, so make sure you are calling from a line that includes long-distance (almost all cellphone plans and many home phone carriers no longer limit long-distance, but be sure to check if you aren't sure).
Dial This Number: +1 312 626 6799
Enter when prompted the Meeting ID. You may or may not be asked for a Participant ID or Password. For our Sunday Morning Social Hour this is:
Meeting ID: 928 867 456
Participant ID: If you are prompted for a participant ID, just press the # key
Password: If prompted: 159753
When you are ready to leave the meeting simply hangup.
If you have questions in advance of our gathering reply to this email and I will do my best to assist!
Pastor Chris
Trinity
