Home grown for us at Home
Holy Hermits has grown out of pandemic, into something that will outlive Covid-19 by the grace of God

Originally developed in response to the arrival of pandemic in March 2020 with the Parish of Bulimba, Holy Hermits Online is now hosted by St John's Cathedral Brisbane and is boundary-less and geographically free to invite people from everywhere to join in and live as the Body of Christ online.

What makes Holy Hermits Online different?
Many online ministries have been born during the pandemic, but few offer the same level of engagement and connection that Holy Hermits Online represents.

Having the space available for those who attend to interact with one another and with the liturgy, by offering their ministry gifts, makes this community engagement unique.

With inclusivity and invitational values driving the ministry, Holy Hermits Online enables people who may not have been able to exercise their ministry gifts in a physical Church setting, to function as a member of the body of Christ in an authentic and meaningful way.

By being free of building management or geographical limitations the focus of community connection and pastoral care are paramount for Holy Hermits Online.

Inspired by the Holy Hermits from our history we are encouraged by their examples to make space for God to transform our lives and the lives of those around us through us. 

Who is this online church for?
 What’s good about Holy Hermits Online right now?
  •  offers space for people who are vulnerable to C-19, to gather online, participate and offer their gifts in Christian vocation and worship, from home.
  • creates a holding space, or safety net, for those who may have fallen away from their local Church and are awaiting safer times to return.
  • can be a landing zone for those who are seeking, dipping their toes in the faith pool, before they transition to attending a local Church. 
  • offers an accessible and meaningful way to engage in community and connect with God and others, for those who may not be seeking physical church attendance.
  • can be an accessible ministry for those in rural community, as well as beyond borders, as it is not limited by geography, being completely online.  
  • is accessible for those who are travelling away from their current community or are under the weather, so they don't miss out on their date with God at Church each week.
  • can join families together who are geographically apart, so they can attend worship together.
  • provides a more focused space for experiencing the presence of God in the liturgy, without the distraction often presented at a physical gathering.
Below the video is a downloadable poster and flyer
Please feel welcome to download and distribute these flyers to share our invitation to community

An intro to HHO

Our first look at ministry together October 2020
Downloads
Online Safety
We take the safety of our members very seriously at HHO and undertake to make being part of community as safe as possible
Online safety is the main reason signing-up is necessary to get the Zoom links for worship and gatherings. By ensuring that those who have signed up are genuinely wanting to connect in or become part of the community we have less risk of internet 'trolls' gaining access and disrupting our space.

Our members are encouraged not to give personal information away on Zoom - even when we are gathered with other members we know well. Although Zoom is a very safe platform and is constantly being updated to make it safer, we must remember that being in a Zoom meeting is still a public space.

Only the sermon is recorded during our worship. Many people would likely appreciate having access to the full service recording, however due to the nature of our worship being so interactive - with members offering their ministry gifts in roles like LA, reader or prayer leader - we protect our community by 'pinning' the ministers screen and recording only the message of the day which is loaded to YouTube, embedded on the Sermons Page and made available to the community for further reflection.

Lasty members are encouraged to think carefully about using their full names when they join our Zoom spaces. Whenever a community member is mentioned in our send-outs, on the liturgy screens or in other communications, only their first name will be used. 

Overall, being part of the Holy Hermits Online community should always feel like a safe space, but if anyone is in doubt or has a concern they are welcome to raise it with either Rev'd Jamee or with our Leaders Chris and Paul, and we will gladly do our best to help.