Worldwide congregation tunes into Seil service
A new church channel streamed live from Seil and Luing has got congregation flocking from as far away as New Zealand and America.
Thanks to the power of Facebook and computer software, the Sunday services broadcast via YouTube have attracted more than 600 viewers since they started.
The livestream services were the idea of Gary Hamilton and his partner Stuart Abercrombie who run a wedding photography and videography business from home on Seil.
Neither are churchgoers but they reached out to Netherlorn's Kilbrandon and Kilchattan Churches on Seil and Luing to help stay-at-home parishioners keep in touch with their church family during the COVID-19 lockdown.
But the services, which have been taken by worship leaders Jean Alexander and Maura Rae and reader Martin Waddell, have also reached out to an extended family worldwide.
‘We know lots of other churches have their ministers doing similar things, but I think we are the only parish actually doing it ourselves,’ said session clerk Mrs Alexander.
‘Gary and Stuart are doing all this work voluntary and we are eternally grateful to them,’ she added.
The churches are also hoping the online services will help them find a new minister as they have been without one for over a year.
Anyone wanting to tune in to the services needs to contact Gary by email at ghproductionsargyll@gmail.com. People will need to subscribe free of charge to the YouTube channel.
Gary and Stuart use Facebook messenger to link up with the weekly worship leader.
‘We’d usually be live streaming football or shinty or recording people's weddings but that stopped with coronavirus, so we wanted to find a way of staying busy and being helpful.
‘It’s a real team effort, us putting our skills to good use and the church community coming up with the content.
‘The response has been incredible so far. We’re reaching people in New Zealand, America, Belgium, as well as closer to home.
‘We know people have been watching from their homes around here and also from Oban hospital,’ said Gary.
More and more people are getting involved in the services. Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has done a reading and Seil bard and author Kenneth Stevens took part on Easter Sunday.
As well as a sermon and readings, there are also hymns, with music from church pianist Maggie Brooks.
‘The Archbishop of Canterbury got 2.5million views for his live streamed Mothering Sunday service. We've got a bit to go before we can beat that but we’re thrilled with the 662 views we’ve had in three weeks,’ added Gary.
The services viewed on GH Production Argyll’s YouTube Channel start 15 minutes early to give people a chance to chat.
If people do not have laptops, they can still connect on TV if they have SKY or another provider with access to YouTube.