Page 1 of 6

Webcasting sacrament meeting to shut-ins

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:31 pm
by JamesBrown-p40
I'm wondering if anyone else has tried webcasting a meeting for shut-ins. I was thinking that would be a cool thing to offer (perhaps once a month, maybe fast Sunday?).

By my understanding of Church policy, you would have to block out the actual sacrament ordinance portion. Other than that, you should be able to broadcast the remainder of the meeting.

My understanding is that there is a prohibition against RECORDING meetings, but obviously not against broadcasting them (since the Church offers webcasting software, etc.).

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 3:26 pm
by SheffieldTR
From my understanding you are correct on all counts. Don't transmit an ordinance and don't record the meetings.

I now have a home-bound member in my ward and starting this Sunday 4/11/10, I will be doing the same thing every week. I plan on using my laptop with the Logitech Quick Cam Pro for Laptops and a Clear One Chat 50. After Sacrament meeting I will unplug and set up again in the RS room for both Gospel Doctrine class and RS.
Troy

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:39 pm
by russellhltn
I think one concern I'd have is controlling who can see the content. How is it being limited to ward members? Is there a real need or just a desire to watch church in their PJs? In short my concern would be limiting it to a real need as determined by the Bishopric and not turning it into broadcasting.

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:31 pm
by aebrown
RussellHltn wrote:I think one concern I'd have is controlling who can see the content. How is it being limited to ward members?
Each meeting that is webcast has a unique meeting ID. You have to know the ID to put on the URL to watch the meeting. So as long as you don't broadly publicize the ID, I think those concerns are adequately addressed.
RussellHltn wrote: Is there a real need or just a desire to watch church in their PJs? In short my concern would be limiting it to a real need as determined by the Bishopric and not turning it into broadcasting.
"Shut-ins" and "home-bound member" sound like real needs to me. Of course the bishop would have to approve the webcast, but I think it's a great way to help those who are otherwise unable to participate.

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:34 pm
by russellhltn
Alan_Brown wrote:Each meeting that is webcast has a unique meeting ID. You have to know the ID to put on the URL to watch the meeting. So as long as you don't broadly publicize the ID, I think those concerns are adequately addressed.
OK, that sounds like a good start. Is there anything that reports how many are watching the stream? Otherwise someone with a legitimate need to know could text the URL to a friend.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:30 am
by SheffieldTR
Those are all valid questions that should be asked before someone moves forward in webcasting church meetings.

In my case, I am the bishop and so I asked myself if it was ok, and believe it or not, I agreed! :-)
Troy

Re: Webcasting sacrament meeting to shut-ins

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:07 pm
by chriswoodut
I realize I'm resurrecting an old thread, but given the church's advancements in webcast support, I wanted to get a feel of what people are doing for the home bound members/shut-ins. Our building does not have the fastest internet, so I think I'm limited to probably only audio.

The idea just came up today in bishopric meeting, so I haven't thought it all through but I'm brainstorming a few ideas:

1. Do a simple freeconferencecall.com conference call with a cell phone sitting on the podium with its volume turned all the way down. This way, if somebody gets dropped they can join again vs a direct point-to-point phone call and it can handle more than one caller. Easy to move the phone to Sunday school and relief society.

2. Use the church's webcast setup. I'm concerned about upload bandwidth for anything video. But, video would be really nice for the members even if it is low resolution. I'm not sure if the webcast is available on-demand for wards to use like this.

3. Create a little Raspberry Pi box that does audio only stream. Move the box for Sunday school and Relief Society. Advantage is being able to configure a low bandwidth codec for audio only. Downside, a bit more investment and a custom solution that may not be easy for non-technical people if there is a problem.

What are others doing that is easy, works, and the home bound are willing to use?

Re: Webcasting sacrament meeting to shut-ins

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:33 pm
by michaelfish
Although we don't Webcast our Sacrament meetings to shut-ins, we turn this into an opportunity of service.

In our ward, we record our Sacrament meeting talks with a laptop using one of the assisted hearing receivers, then burn 4-5 CD's, tape them to the inside of a program and send them out with the Priests after the block. The Priests then visit each of those members, administer the Sacrament to them, visit with them (along with their Quorum Advisor), and leave a program and recording.

I feel the most important thing our shut-in's receive is the Sacrament. Sending our Priests out with a message (CD) and visit with them every week adds a personal touch in our efforts to love them and not forget about them. In addition, when we hear of someone who is recovering or for some other reason cannot attend Sacrament meeting, we simply burn an extra CD and do the same for them. (BTW, mothers of missionaries absolutely love getting a surprise recording of their son/daughter's farewell/homecoming talk).

We've been doing this for several years now and it has been very effective. Although it has been suggested to use a thumb-drive or some other technology, the people receiving this service are not very technically savvy and this has been the most effective way for our ward.

Re: Webcasting sacrament meeting to shut-ins

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:12 pm
by chriswoodut
michaelfish wrote:Although we don't Webcast our Sacrament meetings to shut-ins, we turn this into an opportunity of service.

In our ward, we record our Sacrament meeting talks with a laptop using one of the assisted hearing receivers, then burn 4-5 CD's, tape them to the inside of a program and send them out with the Priests after the block. The Priests then visit each of those members, administer the Sacrament to them, visit with them (along with their Quorum Advisor), and leave a program and recording.
Good suggestions. This is a pretty easy approach and cheap.

Re: Webcasting sacrament meeting to shut-ins

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:15 pm
by gekelley
My Bishop asked me to do this last year after he was called. I had checked the Handbook on this and was not sure that we should. The Bishop went to the Stake President and received approval, and we have been doing this each Sunday for our many shut-ins (many elderly in our ward). We do not openly broadcast the webcast ID, and only provide to those approved by the Bishop, and change the ID each week.

I setup my camera in the back and only begin the camera feed, after the passing of the Sacrament and when the conducting bishopric member excuses the priesthood to be seated with their families.

We have received great feedback from the shut-ins.

We had met in the Stake Center and this workded well. However we were just moved to one of our smaller ward buildings last month and now do not have the capability to do this. Our current issue is getting an internet connection into the back of the Chapel of in the overflow. This would allow me to use one of our backup Webcaster transmitters or use the webcaster software do generate the feed.

I will post again later if we are successful in recommencing our feeds from this smaller ward building.