What’s a HYBRID Presbytery Meeting? Questions answered – REGISTRATION
WHAT’S A HYBRID PRESBYTERY MEETING?
Good question. A hybrid presbytery meeting is something that did not exist before the Pandemic. We have all had to learn to be flexible and adapt to the Pandemic environment these last 18 plus months.
For the Presbytery of the Highlands, our first Presbytery business meeting will be a combination of both in person and on zoom. We will be meeting at Johnsonburg Camp on Tuesday, September 14. The day will begin with a Pastor’s retreat from 9 am to 4 pm. From 4 to 6 pm we will be gathering for social time and welcoming new pastors and celebrating retirements. Dinner will be from 6 pm to 7 pm. The business meeting, both in person and on zoom, of the presbytery will start at 7 pm in the dining hall of Johnsonburg.
HOW IS THE HYBRID PORTION GOING TO WORK?
A challenging question! The Presbytery staff and the Executive team have working to create a meeting environment that works for both those who are in person and those who are online. The goal is for everyone to feel that they are in the same meeting together. They are working on the technology set up that will assist in meeting this goal. Remember this is an experiment that has a lot of ways of going wrong. Flexibility is the mindset for this meeting.
Over this next month we will be publishing the details on how this will work.
WHILE WAITING FOR THE “DETAILS” WHAT DO WE DO IN THE MEANTIME?
Another great question! The next step for the participants is to register for the Presbytery meeting – the earlier the better. You do have to register for either “in person” or “online”. You can’t register for both and make up your mind later. Because of technology issues and for the Johnsonburg staff to be prepared you must register no later than August 31, 2021. We cannot accept registrations for in person after that date. Sorry no exceptions.
If you register for the online participation, you will receive a confirmation with the ZOOM login. A day before the meeting you will receive another email with the ZOOM login. If you are looking for the ZOOM login on the day of the meeting and cannot find it – it means you did not register. Because all the staff needs to be a Johnsonburg the day of the Presbytery meeting, we cannot help you register or get the login on that day. Please make sure you register by the deadline of August 31, 2021.
WHAT ABOUT COVID PROTOCOLS?
For those who are participating in person we have developed an agenda that will provide for a safe environment for all participants. Masks will be required for all indoor activities. Seating for the meeting will be spaced appropriately. We encouraged those who are concerned about COVID exposure to participate by ZOOM.
We will adhere to any mandates that may be set by the state between now and our meeting.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THIS EXCITING ‘FIRST IN PERSON” MEETING OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE HIGHLANDS?
Pastor’s Retreat – 9:30 am to 4 pm
Resilience in Ministry -9:30 to noon
Free time including zip line and waterfront – noon to 4 pm
Gathering of the Presbytery – 4 to 6 pm – Lower Meadow Tent
Social time under the tent – hors’devours and beverages
Introduction of new pastors and celebrations of retirements
Time for catching up and new conversations
Presbytery Dinner 6 to 7 pm –
Boxed dinners picked up at the dining hall ($10.00 a dinner – to be collected at the sign in table).
Everyone encouraged to find a new friend and pick a place to eat in the tent, or at picnic tables or at the fire circle.
Presbytery Business Meeting 7 pm – Dining Room and on Zoom
Participants will gather in the dining hall with masks and social spaced seating.
Zoom will be open at 6:45 to begin at 7 pm.
YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE PRESBYTERY DAY EVENTS.
This is an experiment that may work really well or not. Please be patient with us.
REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
