Giving Technologies Group Releases Library of FREE Offertory Continuity Resources

Send a thank you email today to acknowledge service and support in your parish. If you can, include a video from the pastor, a link to your liturgies online, a schedule of upcoming events, as well as, online giving.

1. Thank parishioners for participating in online liturgies and for their sacrificial giving. 
2. Acknowledge staff, volunteers and parishioners who are serving others. If you have parishioners who are serving as "first responders", acknowledge their service and share the impact they are having. 
3. Tell your parish story and specifically indicate how you are staying connected to your parishioners. How are clergy, staff, volunteers, making contact and serving the community. 
4. Invite participation in liturgy, prayer, online events. Specifically invite participation in supporting the parish. Be confident that parishioners want you to succeed. Many previous tragedies such as 911 and other economic difficulties have resulted in continued giving, if not increased giving. Articulate your parish need to maintain ongoing sacrificial giving by telling your story to maintain that connection. 

This is a time to make connection to parishioners and offertory tangible. While there is a tremendous amount of financial uncertainty, your parish's role as spiritual home in these times is more critical than ever. Don't be afraid to express the parish's need to maintain sacraments,  ministries and even staff - this is something that will resonate with parishioners.The examples of people sharing their time, talent and treasure are many. 

Also, important to note is that many business are asking their customers for support - help keep your favorite restaurant in business my ordering takeout or some have even purchased meals for the future to provide these businesses with cash. Parishes are the same and we can't be shy about pointing out the critical need. Your parishioners will respond in many positive ways. Just help them by providing the vehicle and make it easy, available and tangible. 

Eucharist as the source and summit of our lives is the ultimate connection. While many locations offer Mass via the internet on television, maintaining the connection to the parish is critical not just for purposes of offertory continuity, but also for gathering the faithful again when this crisis subsides. 

Stream it Live! 

Streaming your mass live maintains connection to the familiar liturgy with celebrant, music and even physical sanctuary. There’s something more relevant and personal knowing that it’s happening now. Parishioners aren’t looking for perfection, in fact, the idea that there is spontaneity brings connection – it’s personal and that’s good. It’s ok if something isn’t perfect - that’s what parishioners are experiencing as a result of “stay-at-home” and the Corona Virus. Join them in that and you’ll connect. People want to see their spiritual home and live Mass.

Have a Host/Commentator/Usher

Whatever role fits best in your parish, having someone to moderate the live stream enhances the experience and full, active, conscious participation of your online congregation. The host welcomes parishioners, helps them with access to the live stream, and importantly, manages the chat box in your online portal. Facebook provides a user-friendly fully functional platform. Build your experience of online liturgy considering the ways we connect at Mass in person - with Jesus in the Eucharist, with the Celebrant in prayer, with the Community in fellowship. 

Here’s how the host can enhance the experience… 

• Welcome parishioners and be available by phone if needed to help parishioners access the stream. Parishioners will feel that they have been welcomed even knowing the help is available. While many are becoming more familiar with the technologies available, it’s good to know there is someone parishioners can call if help is needed.
• Just like your welcome/hospitality ministers on weekends interaction is key. If possible, have some of the same volunteers who welcome others on the weekends, be present to welcome participants in online liturgy. This creates a sense of connection to our spiritual home, the familiar, and a comforting environment. 
• In the chat as parishioners arrive, have the host offer a Worship Aide - place a link in the chat
• Have the host monitor the chat, responding as the congregation would during Mass. This draws people in seeing active participation, especially while streamed Masses are currently attended with minimal worshipers. 
• During Offertory in the liturgy, have the host invite attendees to make their offering and be sure to place the giving link in the chat.
• At the conclusion of Mass, offer a bulletin or link to the parish website, along with listing any relevant web links that correspond to announcements made at the end of Mass.
   

Here are some additional follow up items key to Offertory Continuity – consider these options:
 

• Mail Worship Aides for upcoming Holy Week and Easter Liturgies and include a parish addressed  offering envelope.
   
• Mail the bulletins or a flyer with upcoming online events or a prayer card for Holy Week and Easter to parishioners and include a parish addressed offering envelope.