Well, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for—some results are in! As I anticipated, there’s quite the spectrum of opinion in regards to how we gather moving forward. Hopefully this is helpful for you to get a sense of where we are at in our processing, individually and collectively. For the next few weeks at least, we will take things on a Sunday to Sunday basis as we evaluate our readiness, the guidelines we are given, and the wisest course of action with our safety and well-being in mind.
Thank you to all of you who took time to fill this out, and to those of you who are going to read it! Please let me know what others thoughts/ideas reading this sparks for you, by commenting below or shooting me an email at chris@coastlandsvineyard.org!
First, the graph and chart summaries:
As you can see, some of us are really eager to be together no matter the group size, some aren’t ready to gather in person yet, but many of us are ready for small group outdoor gatherings.
Now for the written feedback:
Question: What have you enjoyed, if anything, about our online gatherings? What should we keep doing?
Responses:
I enjoy hearing responses from people I don’t normally hear from. The format and use of chat seems to encourage this. Less intimidating perhaps. Also, seems like people tend to provide much more succinct responses. Meaning, more people are able to contribute.
Worship, Break out rooms for intimate discussion.
I like the breakout sessions, and also the worship music at the beginning
This is my first week. I was invited by Tiffany. But, I live in WV so, it provides me the chance to join, despite living far away.
interaction break out rooms
That they are interactive and feels like normal church
We have really liked the interactive nature of them, chat window, sharing and breakout rooms
The Coastlands Family! The teachings and now, the breakout rooms where I get to meet specific family members.
connecting with people - hearing feedback
Breakout rooms, teaching, discussion
The ability to meet where ever I might be and still participate in the Coastlands community.
I enjoyed the chat box. That was a first for me.
I love the chat sharing and the verbal sharing. Breakout rooms are :D
I do miss being together physically, but also enjoy more people being able to join!
The messages, chat bar enabled us to process during teaching time and to connect with each other. I liked the breakout rooms too.
The interaction and responses from individual. Chris’s teaching on relevant topics and spiritual practices. The small groups at the end
I love that everyone is on the same level together. I think the fact that every one is seen and able to see each other helps people to feel more comfortable to participate and share. (I think the chat bar probably helps to make that easier also haha)
I like the breakout rooms and being able to connect and hear perspectives from different people each week.
Not having to get out of bed or dressed
Response in chat, interactive activities on paper
Seeing people
Support for Living in God's Light and doing His Will for our lives in these times, and the intelligent presentation of topics
connection
The ability for more people to speak and participate.
I think you’re doing a good job maintaining a sense of community as well as anyone can on zoom. I’m on zoom frequently throughout the week for work, and the thought of spending more time online over the weekend, doesn’t sound filling to me. I am sensitive to those that have health concerns about meeting in person. However, I’m very much looking forward to gathering again in person.
i think you're doing a great job with zoom church, but I'm on zoom throughout the week with work meetings, and don't feel filled by spending more time on screens on the weekend. I would prefer to spend time outdoors or in person with our community on the weekend.
I’ve enjoyed how Chris has creatively gathered us. I appreciate how we all have opportunity to engage and participate
That we are staying in touch.
I love when we break out into groups and then return to the main meeting
To me, it has been like being back in college. I love it! It's necessary right now. I like the small groups that happen- even though I have only been able to do it once. I like seeing people's faces and their names. I have enjoyed the interactions between all of us and I love that it seems like all age groups are able to do this!!
Question: What would we need to do different if we continue to meet over zoom?
Responses:
Not sure if there is anything better that could be done. I think for our church we’ve done well with zoom. Hard to actually replace in person gatherings.
More time in break rooms.
I can't think of anything right now
???
Can't really think of anything
pray for needs, each other, societal issues like riots, racism
I don’t know. I’ve really enjoyed it as it is.
Individual private chat!
Perhaps keep a tighter time frame...maybe 1 1/2 hours max???
I think it would nice to diversify the types of worship that we can incorporate into our zoom gatherings. (ex: Judy once spoke about writing lamentations which is something that I have been interested in for some time)
have items on chat box linger longer so we can read them
Have a point at 1-1.5 hours where people who wanted to leave could, maybe explain how long the break out rooms are each time so people know what time church will end
Keep it to one hour
I just think going to 2-3x a month over summer feels more sustainable.
I’m not sure what would need to change with Zoom church. One idea would be to start meeting in small groups in person for those that are open to it, and have a recording or zoom option for those that are still not comfortable meeting in person.
Not sure what to do differently on zoom.?. You're doing a great job... I just don't feel like spending more time on screens on the weekend is life giving for me.
I do t have an answer for this I hope we find a way to gather in person
Considering that I'm on a school reopening committee, I'm fairly certain we will not have use of the gym, so meeting over Zoom is going to be a platform we should continue to use. I am happy the way it has been developing so far.
Question: What else would you like us to consider/keep in mind as we make plans for moving forward?
Responses:
Since I live so far away, I selfishly hope the Zoom worship will continue; although I really need to be finding a local worship community, after quarantine.
If you move back to a meeting setting, would there be a way to still participate (even just a streaming option) for those of us that live elsewhere? :) Thank you! :)
Young adults group? Or SLO location group?? Maybe
Even as we move toward eventually in person meeting seems important to maintain opportunities for people to join who are either unable due to health or due to geography
My limited experience is that our church here hosted an outdoor service and it was very difficult not to want to hug people and sit close to them. Many did not even try and in some ways, didn't ask whether it would be okay to hug you. But this could just be our community here!
During the school year I am out of state, and I would love to be able to attend Coastlands while I’m in Indiana... so I don’t know if it’s possible to integrate zoom and physical church but I would want that to continue as long as possible.
The “IN PERSON” question would not let me answer other than “not at all”. I wanted to mark 1/month
I want to be sensitive to those in our community are more health compromised. So, when meeting in person, I'm happy to do whatever makes everyone most comfortable, mask and sanitizer OR not. Whatever the group consensus is.
Need to think about it!/ I think we need online and in person. Zoom the meetings whether in person or just Zoom. Zoom is really helpful when out of town or at home to keep in touch!!!
structure provided for the small gatherings, maybe a prerecorded short introduction from Chris to get the ball rolling
Offering The Journey in the Fall for those desiring to grow their relationship with the Trinity, love for God, self and others.
I'm always ready to do whatever is needed to keep others safe and comfortable!
Zoom the board meetings
What it looks like for our kiddos and trying to involve them in church. Also, you rock. This is not easy times to lead. You, however, are leading well. Thank you for hearing us.
Making recordings of services available for watching at a later date. (Note from Chris: You can find those here!)
Evening meetings are difficult for me. I am done for the day. Not impossible, but not enjoyable. I have not participated in any online meetings and look forward to in person gatherings with safety in mind. Singing with masks will be a challenge [ha ha}..Thank you for taking the effort to survey our community's needs and wants
renting a space
I think Chris Failla needs to 1 Sunday a month where someone else is teaching or facilitating to keep it sustainable. He's done 20 out of 21 Sundays this year.
Nothing comes to mind
nothing comes to mind
Are there any other community projects we can do?😊 I will consider co-facilitating a group (house church)
Follow the science
Thank you for doing this
Better to be safe than sorry. Let's take advantage as much as we can with our outdoor spaces. Bummer every weekend (Th-Mo) seems to be inundated with people from out of town- none of which seem to be wearing masks. Can we do church on Wed? Can we meet on the beach and have 1-2 adults congregate with the kids in the water? Or beach clean up? God, please guide us and find creative ways to be together in spirit or person. We will be stronger through all of this. Resilience. Trust. Respect. Have to go to be with my kids. Goodnight!