156 – Microphones, Janet Jackson, and Milk

This week the WELSTech Podcast discussion includes congregation tech topics such as wireless microphones, projection solutions, electronic signs, online social media presence and more.

Podcast: Download (34.6MB)

The discussion:

New Tech in Sleepy Eye – Martin and Sallie review the newest techie additions in Sallie’s congregation, St. John’s in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Martin’s blog post on FCC changes
St. John’s purchased three wireless mics and two receivers
- An earset mic
- A lapel and handheld mic with receivers

Rear Projection Screen

Tech Planning – Mark Salzwedel, a member of Christ in Eden Prairie, WI, wrote WELSTech because his congregation was looking for direction and contacts to assist with some technology planning they are undertaking.

Audio/video resources
- Presentation software for worship
- Projectors
- Video cameras
- Streaming and recording video
Internet outreach
- Is there a place for Twitter in your church?
- Interview with a blogging pastor – 138 – WELSTech Road Trip: Liverpool, NY
- Create a Facebook page for your church – 081 – BWTG: Facebook Pages
Electronic sign
- Stubblefield & Sonssss

Ministry resources:

(23:13) Videos from WELS Churches group on Vimeo
Martin’s Facebook for Churches Journey, Part 2 (Part 1)

News in tech:

(23:13) Now There’s Church on Facebook from Leadership Network
Collaborative gifting via eBay

Picks of the week:

(25:40) YouTube Time Machine – yttm.tv
Remember the Milk – Productivity task list

Of interest:

(32:15) View the live video stream of WELS Regional Choral Fest from Manitowoc Lutheran High School at wels.net/streams/live

Pops Concert – Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m. CST
Sacred Concert – Sunday, November 14 at 2 p.m. CST

Community feedback:

(33:42) Our Facebook group page included a post by Jimmy Holub with links to
- Inkscape – a vector drawing tool for creating logos
- Open Office – office software
We’re looking for software recommendations to manage child care programs.
- We previously interviewed Shelley from ProCare Software
- Jason Schmidt suggested using Google forms and spreadsheets
- Andy Ognenoff pointed us to force.com
- Laura Kamin shared a sample spreadsheet (.xls format) which is used at Eastside in Madison, WI
Debbie Spriggs shared a link to an article on How To: Use an Interactive Whiteboard from Tech & Learning Magazine. Sign up for a free subscription to their print magazine.
Martin shared several links to a free PDF download of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Check out the full list of free eBooks from Planet eBooks.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(44:55) Episode 157 – WELSTech hits the books as we look at chapter 3 of Leading 21st Century Schools. (Release date 11/10/10)

The featured artist:

(46:05) This week we feature the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries (http://www.crosswalkphoenix.com/worship/music.aspx) – You Are My World from their CD titled ”Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries”