We have a variety of tools that we are working on to help small groups 'connect' while we are in lock-down. These include:

• Virtual Platforms that you can use to connect via computer or smart phone.
• Activities that you can choose to do together as a small group

Remember that these are simply a starting point for your small group - you may discover other tools or activities that suit you better. If you do discover something fabulous, please share it so others may also be encouraged!

We also have a variety of resources that small groups might like to consider using that we continually update on our Resources page.

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Virtual Platforms for Small Group Gatherings

Zoom

Zoom is a wonderful tool that allows you to meet three or more group members in an online ‘meeting’. To use Zoom, members will need access to a computer or phone that has a camera and microphone.  It is free to join, and you can host meetings for up to 40 minutes.
(Note: If you need to host a meeting for longer than 40 minutes, Nativity has a zoom account which we can use to schedule your meeting).

Zoom has excellent tutorial videos and I suggest leaders start here:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697

You may want to point your group members to this page so they can ‘join’ your meeting.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting

Learn More

Skype

Skype is an application that provides video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets and mobile devices.

It is free to use and allows users to make group calls that include up to 50 people for up to four hours per call.

It is very simple to use and you will find a lot of people will already have used Skype before.

It can be accessed via the website or mobile app for both Apple and Android users.
Do ensure that members are in a sufficiently quiet location with stable internet connection to minimise disruptions. Earphones or headphones may also be utilised to prevent echo issues.

Learn More

Facebook Live

If your gathering requires minimal interaction from the rest of the group, the leader may choose to host a session via a Facebook Live feed. This may be good for worship and teaching small group sessions.

FACEBOOK LIVE allows you to stream live video to share with up to 250 members. All you need is a either a smart phone or computer with camera and audio recording capability.

Facebook also allows you to create 'GROUPS' which can be set to private mode, so only those people you invite may see the information you share. This works really well for people who are already hold Facebook accounts and is very simple to use.

Facebook have very simply instructions on how to set up a group, found at:
https://www.facebook.com/help/167970719931213

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WhatsApp

WhatsApp uses your phone or computer's internet connection to send messages or make calls so you can avoid unnecessary fees.

Using WhatsApp, you can keep in touch with groups of people, like your family or Care Cell. With group chats you can share messages, photos and videos with up to 256 people at once. You can also name your group, mute or customise notifications and more.

Learn More

Google Meet

Google Meet is another platform that is free for all users.

Connect and collaborate with others from anywhere. With Google Meet, everyone can safely create and join high quality video meetings for groups of up to 250 people.

LEARN MORE

Messenger

The MESSENGER application (affiliated with Facebook) allows you to ‘chat’ (like texting, but free), send photos, video and files with other Facebook users either individually or in a group. It is free to join, and you can create as many ‘groups’ of people as you like.

Learn More

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