A tech-savvy teenager has transformed a Suffolk church’s online offering – bringing Sunday services into people’s homes with the use of Facebook Live.
Izzy Boswell, 15, has used her online skills to produce a weekly live service on the Connections Church Facebook page, with scores of people tuning in every Sunday.
Connections Church in Saxmundham used to meet at the town’s primary school every Sunday for coffee, croissants, doughnuts and a new way of doing church including worship, teaching, discussion and community.
But when the coronavirus pandemic struck and the national lockdown was enforced, a new plan had to be devised to bring the church to its congregation instead.
Izzy came to the rescue of her parents, who head up the church, using her technical skills to bring a real polish to the broadcast.
Izzy said: “I was happy to help Dad with the production in doing the transitions from segment to segment throughout the service and also going live into other people’s houses. It’s been a learning process throughout using trial and error, but on the whole it’s been fun!”
Connections Church uploads all its previous episodes on its website so the church-goers and those who want to view it won’t miss a moment.
Izzy’s Dad Tom Boswell, who is the lay leader of the church, said the new way of doing online church has been a real hit among its followers on Facebook.
“They have been very well received, with people joining us who did not normally attend the café church, and also from wider afield as friends and family have recommended to others they join us online,” he said. “Since we’ve been doing online services, Izzy has become the producer and technical person behind the camera, bringing the schedule of videos together and live editing on the day. We really couldn’t do it without her. We set up Connections Church for people who are not familiar with ‘regular’ church, for people to meet up in a relaxed atmosphere and work out how faith works in their life today.”
Further information
www.connectionschurch.org.uk | Weblink
Developing online church | Weblink
FInd an online service | Weblink