Archive: March 2020 - Operation Noah

Operation Noah Calls for a Just Recovery from Covid-19

Posted in: Blog

Operation Noah has joined hundreds of other organisations around the world to call for a Just Recovery from Covid-19.

We have signed an open letter written by 350.org calling for responses to the pandemic at every level to uphold five principles that will ensure a just recovery and help us transition to a better future. The five principles are:

  1. Put people’s health first, no exceptions.
  2. Provide economic relief directly to the people.
  3. Help our workers and communities, not corporate executives.
  4. Create resilience for future crises.
  5. Build solidarity and community across borders – do not empower authoritarians.

Individuals are also welcome to sign the letter here.

March Newsletter

Posted in: Newsletters

Read our March newsletter.

In this newsletter we share exciting news of Christian organisations divesting and details of resources you can use at home.

To receive future newsletters straight to your inbox, please use the email sign-up form on the left or click here.

Running Tenants of the King Online

Posted in: Blog

Many of us are turning to online activities at the moment as a way of staying connected to each other. If you would like to ‘meet’ virtually with others from your church then why not run an online Tenants of the King Bible Study? Read on for suggestions on how to run the bible study using a web-based conference calling platform called Zoom.

Setting up Zoom

Zoom is the online conferencing platform used by Operation Noah. There are other conferencing platforms out there you could consider, we just happen to use this one. At the moment Zoom is offering resources to help people get up to speed with using their facilities. You will need to set up an account, but can use it for free if you don’t mind having your conference in 40 minute sessions, as it times out after 40 minutes and everyone simply clicks the same link to meet up again.

How to run the course

1.Order your Tenants of the King Study Guides and videos

Order enough booklets and videos on usb stick for everyone, and deliver or post them to your group members. You are welcome to share one usb stick between different groups. However, you may want to order one usb per group, to save having to pass it round.

2. Keep it small

To ensure everyone has a chance to share their thoughts, aim for 10 or fewer people in the group, just as you would with a face-to-face group. If interest is high, form two or three groups that meet at different times, providing more alternatives for people with busy schedules.

3. Expect technical mishaps

Bad wifi-connectivity and poor sound quality are bound to happen. Expect them, and it won’t be so bad when they occur. Spend time before your first study checking everyone’s equipment and helping them learn how to use it. It often helps to be connected by Zoom, or whatever platform you are using, and telephone at the same time. People may need to purchase microphones, speakers or headsets. Perhaps there are a few people in your group who could help do this. Give yourself 30 mins in your first session to iron out technical issues and remind people how to use the platform.

4. How to run the session

Begin by ensuring everyone can see and hear each other. You may need to ask people to mute themselves when they are not speaking, or the host may need to mute people – politely tell people that this is what you are going to do for some, if not all, of the meeting. During the discussion sections you may want to ask people to use the ‘hand raising’ option so as to allow all to have a chance of speaking.

The leader, who might be a different group member each week, runs the session using the leaders’ notes. When the video is played, for Zoom, this can be shown using the sharing option, described here

5. Keep to time

Being online rather than in-person is more tiring. Keep the session to time – two lots of 40 minute sessions, if you are using the free version of Zoom, or two hours maximum. This may mean firm chairing, but your group will thank you! Perhaps offer to add on another 40 minutes session at the end for people who want to chat after the session is over.

6. Feedback

Finally, do let us know how you got on, with any suggestions for improvement of these tips!

POSTPONED: Operation Noah Supporters’ Day

Posted in: Featured
Date posted: 23 March 2020

In light of recent developments concerning the coronavirus pandemic, Operation Noah has made the decision to postpone its Supporters’ Day which was due to be held in June. We hope to set a new date in due course. Sign up to our newsletter to be kept updated. Many thanks for your patience and understanding in these uncertain times.

February 2020 Newsletter

Posted in: Newsletters

Read our February newsletter.

In this newsletter we celebrate the news that the Church of England has set a 2030 net zero target. We also invite churches and faith organisations to join a global divestment announcement, together with partners including the World Council of Churches and the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Could your local church join the announcement?

To receive future newsletters straight to your inbox, please use the email sign-up form on the left or click here.

Registered charity number 1138101