“Going deeper” – an online discussion about The Hospitality of Abraham – Wednesday 22nd June 2011, 7.30pm via Skype

If you haven’t already done so, please see our news item about the Seeing Salvation sermon series which we are running throughout the summer.  This explains how we plan to look at 10 paintings during our weekly sermons and seek to discover the artist’s own spiritual meaning behind the work.

As a follow-up to each sermon we will offer a short (30 minutes) online discussion – via Skype – in which we will share our thoughts and feelings about the paintings and the ideas they evoke in us.  In this way, we hope to “go deeper” by reflecting on the ideas we touch on in the series.  In order to do this we suggest you study the image itself, read the sermon for the week in question (or listen to the audio version), view a short video presentation on YouTube,  and then join us for a discussion using the free internet phone call software Skype.  All the links you will need for this activity are given below.

For the ’Going Deeper’ session, Wednesday 22nd June 2011, 7.30pm to 8.00pm, looking at The Hospitality of Abraham (preached Sunday 19th June 2011):

• Image
• Sermon text
• Sermon audio
• YouTube video
• Skype Help
• Review the whole ‘Seeing Salvation’ sermon series

If you want to join the discussion please let Andy know in advance, by email (revandy@mccmanchester.co.uk)  before 7pm on discussion day, so he will be ready to include you on the conference call.

You have two alternatives methods for connecting with the conference call.  If you want the call to be completely free, then you will need to have the Skype software installed on your computer – it’s free to download and use – and you will need to have Andy listed as a contact.  You can find him within Skype via his email address: revandy@mccmanchester.co.uk   Full details are given on our Skype Help page.

Alternatively if you don’t want the hassle of downloading another piece of software onto your computer, you can pay the cost of a local telephone call and connect with the conference call by dialling 0161 408 0131 on your phone.  This will connect you to Andy via his Skype account and he will be able to add you into the conference call, but you will be paying your normal call rate for 0161 numbers throughout the duration of the call.  If you call this number at 7.30pm Andy will add you to the conference.

If you decide to install Skype software on your computer, in order to participate effectively in the discussion, please:

• Make sure your computer is fully booted-up and that you have logged in to your own Skype account by 7.20pm, so that Andy can see your online status and can start to put the conference call together.
• Do not Skype-call Andy or attempt to join the conference call yourself.  Wait until Andy Skype-calls you, and be prepared to wait online for a few minutes until all the remaining participants are brought into the conference.

Whether you join the conference call via Skype, or via the dedicated phone number, please bear in mind that an online audio conference gives you no visual clues from other participants about when they might wish to speak; so please be prepared for Andy to ‘chair’ the discussion and to call upon people to speak in a structured way.  This approach ensures that everyone can be heard and everyone gets an opportunity to contribute.  Skype conferences cannot cope with two participants speaking simultaneously – nobody hears anything properly.