Ithaca Friends gather remotely, via Zoom, for unprogrammed hybrid Meeting for Worship on Sundays at 10:30am. All are welcome to join us.

Friends can join this online gathering using a computer, with or without a video camera, or by phone. Join online with this link or from your Zoom app with Meeting ID: 372 632 479 and password: friends You can also join by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering Meeting ID: 372 632 479 when prompted. (If you are using Zoom on your computer for the first time, you might login a few minutes early so that you have a leisurely moment to get set up with the software.)

Being in Worship remotely

Friends are asked to log onto Zoom, or call in, before the listed start time to allow time to get connected. If you are using Zoom on your computer for the first time, you will need to download software. Logging in before the meeting begins allows you to have a leisurely moment to get set up with the software.

Logging in or calling in a few minutes early also allows Friends time to settle. The remote Meeting will not begin until the “host” has logged into the Zoom meeting. You may see or hear a message that the host has not yet arrived.

All participants’ microphones (or phones) will be initially muted during Meeting for Worship. If you feel led to speak, you will need to unmute your microphone (or press *6 on your phone). Please remember to mute your microphone or or press *6 on your phone again after speaking.

Best practices for a remote meeting

• Be in a quiet space, with little or no distractions. 
• If someone joins the call or Zoom after we have settled, the Clerk may say “Hello Friend. We’re in worship.”
• If you’re participating by computer or phone and have a camera, sharing video of yourself can help build community. If you do choose to share your video, think about what others will see in your video (e.g., make sure you’re fully clothed!)
• It’s helpful if you can sit with light on your face, not behind you. Close blinds/curtains and turn on lights for best image quality.
• If you’re eating or doing something else that you wouldn’t want people to watch, consider turning off your video, at least temporarily.
• During Meeting for Worship, the Clerk will not recognize people before they speak out of the silence.
• Everyone in the meeting will be automatically muted. You will need to unmute yourself if you feel led to speak.
• If you’re calling in by phone and you want to unmute yourself, dial 6*
• It is helpful, especially to Friends listening via phone, to say your name before sharing your message.

When someone speaks

When a Friend is “moved to speak” during Meeting for Worship, we consider that they are delivering a message from the Spirit. All participants’ microphones (or phones) will be initially muted during Meeting for Worship. If you feel led to speak, you will need to unmute your microphone (or press *6 on your phone). It is helpful, especially to Friends listening via phone, to say your name before sharing your message.

Friends are invited to listen deeply to the message.

As in our traditional form of in-person worship, it often takes time for the listeners to reflect upon the Truth within a message. Thus, it is common to leave several minutes of silence after someone has spoken. Sometimes, we may find ourselves wanting to respond to a speaker, but Meeting for Worship is not a place for conversation or debate. Similarly, the use of the “chat” function in Zoom is probably not appropriate for delivering messages within the Meeting for Worship period.

Technical details

Ithaca Meeting has opted to use Zoom as our online conference call and video conference tool because it’s relatively easy to use. Members of the Communications Committee are willing to help you set up your computer or cell phone. Please contact Marin Clarkberg or Melissa Travis Dunham. We can walk you through the process by phone.

Downloading Zoom

If you will be joining Meeting for Worship or the Daily Check In meetings online using your computer, tablet or smart phone, you will need to download Zoom before joining the meeting. You should do this at least 10-15 minutes before the start of our Zoom meeting, or you can download Zoom from their website at any time. This video explains how to download Zoom onto your computer. If you will be joining Zoom from a tablet or smart phone, look for the Zoom app where you usually download apps.

How to Use Zoom

To help you become familiar with Zoom, we suggest checking out these training resources:

• This page on the Zoom website includes a short video explaining how to join a Zoom meeting. The page also includes written details and images for the steps to join a meeting based on what type of device you’re using: Android smart phone or tablet, Mac, web browser, link from email, or telephone to call in.
• This longer video from the Creative Life Center provides clear, detailed instructions how how to join a Zoom meeting and navigate the meeting interface.
• The Zoom Help Center provides these step-by-step instructions on using their tool for either a PC or Mac.
  Please note: if you’re only planning to use Zoom only to attend meetings and don’t plan to host any yourself, you do not need to create a username and password.
• If you’d like to test how your computer or phone will connect to Zoom before a scheduled meeting, you can join a test Zoom meeting at any time from this page.
• Consultant Craig Freshley (www.craigfreshley.com) has made available for public use, a guide to using Zoom for meetings.
• Sara Hubner, of Gonic (NH) Meeting, created this guide to using and troubleshooting Zoom meetings.