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Friday 1 May, 2020
Online giving - a new customisable animation for parishes on A Church Near You

This really is a bumper edition of The Digest today, with news of lots of initiatives coming on board, updates and resources to help churches across the Diocese at this time. So let's jump straight in.


Diocesan stability - Message from the Diocesan Secretary
Earlier this week, Diocesan Secretary Matthew Girt, wrote to the Diocese to update everyone on the practical and financial steps that have been taken to ensure the stability of the Diocese and maintain service to the parishes.
 
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Encouraging vocations and Vocations Sunday.
Vocations Sunday is this coming Sunday (3rd of May). It is a wonderful time to encourage individuals to consider what God might be calling them to.

The national Vocations Team has produced some liturgy to help mark the day,

During this time of lockdown it will be more difficult for the Diocesan Vocations Team to continue meeting with people, and the It’s Your Calling Day due to take place on May 9 is cancelled.

In response, they have produced a resource to help anyone who wants to explore their vocation at this time. Please share it with anyone who you think might find it useful:
If you have any questions, please email: vocations@rochester.anglican.org
 
A Church Near You: Online Giving

Did you know you can promote online giving through your A Church Near You (ACNY) page? The ACNY Team have put together guidance on how to set up a donations page on ANCY

There’s also a customisable video on the subject of giving available through the ACNY Resource Hub

This video can be shared in virtual services, on social media and church websites to help promote online giving for your parish.

More information about online giving can be found on Parish Resources website.

If your church has not yet claimed their A Church Near You page, find out how to become an editor.
 

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Music in online services - a new resource
Communications has received more questions about the use of music in online services than any other. There are several copyright permissions that come into play when streaming a service, which means it's not always an easy area to navigate.

We've produced a short guide to help you as you consider how to include music legally in your service.

The national Digital Team has also added some new guidance on music copyright in the FAQs section of their COVID-19 page

In addition, the national church, working with St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal School of Church Music, has just announced that it is now providing a resource of rights-free music for use in streamed services. 

They can be accessed via the A Church Near You Resource Hub. You must also have the CCLI Live Streaming Licence.
 
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Webinars
There continue to be lots of free webinars, on a whole range of topics, on offer to individuals and parishes.
  • Thy Kingdom Come: A reminder that our local Thy Kingdom Come organisers are holding a webinar on Wednesday 6 May, to explore some of the new resources available, and how to use them during the lockdown. To register email: tkc@rochester.anglican.org
  • Keeping connected: The national digital team is regularly refreshing and updating it's range of one hour webinars on topics such as online giving and live streaming, to how to keep connected with young people at this time.
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Beacon of Hope for the weekend...
To lead us into the weekend, here is the latest Beacon of Hope - our joint venture with the Diocese of Canterbury. The Archdeacon of Ashford, Darren Miller, shares his message of hope.
Archdeacon Darren Miller, Archdeacon of Ashford offers the last Beacon of Hope for the week.

The Diocesan Office is now closed until further notice.  A Reception service is still available remotely. If you need assistance, in the first instance please email the Diocesan Reception on: reception@rochester.anglican.org

During office hours you can also ring 07384 826866 or 07468 709671. If you do ring the main reception number (01634 560 000), you will hear a recorded message detailing all this information for you.

All other teams are working from home and should be contacted in the first instance via email. All contact details can be found here: www.rochester.anglican.org/contact/

Copyright © 2020 DIocese of Rochester, All rights reserved.


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