First Episcopal District Virtual Annual Conference Series

The Dates of Annual

Conferences2021

Bermuda: March 4-7

Delaware: March 18-21

New Jersey: April 8-11

New England: April 15-18

New York: April 29-May 2

Western New York: May 13-16

Philadelphia: May 20-23

ConferenceSchedule

Thursday8:31am Women’s Missionary Society

Noon Break

1:31pm The Ministry of Evangelism

2:31pm Break

2:46pm Praise and Worship

Roll Call

Presiding Elder Summary Reports

Board of Examiners

Ministerial Efficiency

Board of Trustees

5:01pm Dinner

7:01pm Opening Service

Conference Schedule(continued)

Friday8:31am Praise and Worship

8:46am Reading of Minutes

9:01am “Re-Imagining Your Prayer Life” – Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram

9:41am Seminar I.

10:46am Break

11:01am Pastoral Reports

11:46am Break

12:01pm Hour of Power

12:46pm Lunch Break

2:01pm Seminar II.

2:31pm Presiding Elders’ Support Committee

2:36pm Pastoral Reports

3:01pm Memorial Service. Conf.

Statistics. Conf. Resolution

3:31pm Disciplinary Questions

3:36pm Break

7:01pm Lay Witness Service

Conference Schedule (continued)

Saturday8:31am Conference YPD Worship and Workshop

6:01pm Christian Education Worship

Sunday* Morning Worship with your local church *

2:01pm Conference Church School

3:31pm Closing Worship and Commissioning Service

Schedule for remaining component groups

Women in Ministry

Sons of Allen

and Minister Spouses will each hold one event

Dates TBA

Information for Component Groups

Best Practices for Components

Each component of every conference must have a point person that will work with the tech team on their

service/workshop

Annual Conference Component meeting Monday, February 15th at 4-5:30pm

a representative for every component of each conference must attend

Any questions please email us at: TechTeamFirstDistrict@gmail.com

Dropbox Links and Deadlines

Please Note: The Dropbox Links on the slide appear blurred because they are not to be shared with the general public. The actual links will be emailed to those who need it.

Please meet ALL deadlines and use the correct Dropbox link

Instructions for Reports

All reports (elder, pastoral, component group) must be 3-4 minutes in length, and must have visuals, either by video or PowerPoint.

Reports must be uploaded to the Dropbox link 3 weeks before your Annual Conference (the link will be sent shortly via email)

All pastors must submit their names to their Presiding Elder if they desire to give a report, 4 weeks before the start of your conference.

Instructions for Roll Call

Conference secretaries are responsible for making the Roll Call PowerPoint and submitting it to the Dropbox Link 3 weeks before.

Please arrive on time and rename yourself, by your first and last name. If your name is “Galaxy456,” “Bethel AME” or “Rev. Brown,” the Tech Team will not be able to identify you.

If you have to dial-in for the Roll Call, please let your Presiding Elder know, at least a week ahead of time. Your elder will send that information to the Tech Team and will rename you when you arrive.

If you do not hear your name called or you missed your name, please wait until after all of the names have been called to inform the secretary and Bishop.

Workshop PresenterInstructions

All workshop materials (PowerPoints, videos, etc.) must be sent to the Dropbox Link 3 weeks before that particular Annual Conference. (the link will be sent shortly via email)

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the service/business session, with the correct name, and make sure you are in a location with stable WiFi.

Make sure to inform the component leader ahead of time if you will be sharing your own screen for your presentation.

Worship Participant Instructions

If you are a worship participant for any of the services throughout the Annual Conference, you have specific instructions:

For Live Services:

Please arrive 15 minutes early, with correct name, and make sure you are in a location with stable Wi-Fi.

Please review the program prior to your arrival.

Worship Participant Instructions(continued)

For Pre-Recorded Services:

All recordings must be sent to the Dropbox Link 2 weeks prior to the Thursday of the beginning of that particular Annual Conference (the link will be sent shortly via email)

If you cannot make the deadline please let the Component leader know immediately, so that they can replace you.

Please also arrive to the service you are a participant of, on time and prepared to do it live, if necessary.

Recording Instructions Please read carefully

Camera

If you do not have access to a video camera, mostly any cellphone can be used to shoot your video.

Be sure to shoot your video in landscape mode. If using a cellphone or iPad camera turn the device sideways.

For best results use the camera on the back of the device and not the front (selfie) camera.

The camera should be placed close to eye level on a stable surface.

Please step 5-10ft away from the camera (we should see your entire upper body - midsection up)

Lighting

Sound

Shoot your video in a well-lit room/space with the light in front of you and NOT behind you.

Please check to make sure there are no shadows being cast on the background behind you.

If necessary, move the lighting source. Sometimes, moving the light to your side or up higher instead of directly in front of you at eye level can help.

Please turn the volume on your device all the way up and record in a space that is a quiet as possible so as to avoid ambient noise.

If you are recording in a large space (i.e. a sanctuary), be sure to turn on the sound system.

Background

Please record using a greenscreen.

If, like most of us, you do not have one, film your video while standing two feet away from a plain wall using a green background. A green dollar store tablecloth taped or tacked to the wall will work.

Cloth is best, but plastic will work if it is hung directly on the wall with no spaces.

Please pull the background so that it is as flat as possible with no wrinkles.

Please ensure that no windows, artwork, blinds, doors, etc. are visible.

Please avoid wearing anything that is the same color as your background.

Recording

Worship participants should shoot their videos wearing black Pulpit Robes.

Unless you are physically unable to do so, all videos should be shot while standing.

For best results be sure that you record at least from the waist up, opposed to only your chest and head.

Please include at least one foot of space above your head ensuring that your head, arms and hands remain in the shot.

The entire area of the shot should be covered by the background.

After the recording has begun, please wait three to five seconds and then begin speaking. After you have finished speaking wait another three to five seconds before ending the video. This will assist the Tech Team in placing your video in the final presentation.

RecordingSermons

Under no circumstance can the sermon be longer than 20 minutes.

You should include a brief Invitation to Christian Discipleship. In the appeal you may tell persons to either put their name in the chat or call the number at the bottom of the screen

Prayers should not go longer than 3 minutes