Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our congregations have been challenged to adapt to online worship. This adaptation is in progress as 60% of congregations either record, stream, or broadcast the Sunday celebration. Given the costs of this rapid expansion into digital ministry, our diocese is pleased to provide reimbursement of costs associated with this work up to $2,000. For congregations in the process of considering options for online worship, this financial assurance may make the decisions ahead easier with regard to parish finances and the impact of unplanned expenses. These are unprecedented times and every effort made to communicate the Good News of the Gospel to the faithful – near and far – is evangelism at its core.
Criteria
This reimbursement grant will be given to any congregation or community-based ministry that has incurred expenses related to the following:
- Video and sound equipment (including but not limited to: tablets, DSLR camera, switchers, tripods, lighting, microphones)
- Editing software (PremierePro, FinalCutPro, etc.)
- Streaming services (like Restream, Vimeo, or Livestream)
- Professional consultation and/or installation of equipment
- Training of digital ministers who will operate the equipment
- Hard-wiring the sanctuary for access to the Internet (Ethernet port)
- Enhancing the upload speed of sanctuary Wi-Fi to 10 MBPS
- Wi-Fi extenders or Mesh System
- License to Stream Music
- Zoom subscription
Requirements
Tech Reimbursement Grants are rolling. We will process them until April 15, 2021. Congregations seeking reimbursement are encouraged to fill out the application, upload relevant receipts, and send an email to: kwarren@diocesewma.org