Overview
The Email module lets you create and manage email accounts at your own church domain, such as [email protected]. From here you can set up mailboxes, create forwarders that pass mail from one address to another, and find the settings needed to check your email in a web browser or an app like Apple Mail, Gmail, or Outlook.
Requirements for Congregate-Hosted Email
Before you can request email services, review the requirements:
- Your domain’s DNS records must be managed by Congregate, or configured to use Congregate’s email services.
- If you already use a third-party email service (such as Google or Microsoft), you must contact them to manage your email accounts instead.
- If you’re not using a third-party service and your domain is configured for Congregate’s email services, you’re all set to request services.
Mailboxes Tab
This is where you create and manage the individual email accounts at your domain. At the top of the tab you’ll see how many mailboxes you’re using out of your limit, for example 3/15.
Reading the Mailbox List
Each row in the list shows:
- Email Address: The full address of the mailbox, such as [email protected].
- Disk Usage: How much storage the mailbox is using, shown against its limit (for example, 45 MB/500MB).
Creating a Mailbox
Click the Create Mailbox button in the top right. A window will appear:
- Email Address: Type the part before the @ sign (the username). Your domain is shown fixed next to it, so you only enter the username portion.
- Password: Set a password for the new mailbox. As you type, a checklist shows the requirements, turning green as each one is met. A password must have at least 12 characters and include an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number, and a special character.
Click Create Mailbox to finish. The new account will appear in the list right away. Click Cancel to close without creating anything.
Mailbox Actions
Every mailbox has a small three-dot icon on the right side of its row. Click it to see these options:
- Reset Password: Opens a window where you can set a new password for that mailbox. The same password requirements apply. Click Update Password to save.
- Delete: Permanently removes the mailbox. You’ll be asked to confirm first. Be careful: all emails stored in that mailbox will be permanently lost.
Webmail and Email Client Settings
Once you have at least one mailbox, a Webmail and Email Client Settings panel appears below the list. Click it to expand it.
- Webmail: Click Open Webmail to check your email from any web browser. Log in with your full email address and password. This opens in a new tab.
- Email Client Settings: The server details for connecting an app such as Apple Mail, Gmail, or Outlook. These are provided for three connection types: IMAP, POP3, and SMTP.
Forwarders Tab
A forwarder automatically passes any mail sent to one address along to another address, without needing a full mailbox of its own. This is handy for addresses like [email protected] that should simply land in someone’s personal inbox.
Reading the Forwarder List
Each row shows:
- From: The address at your domain that receives the mail.
- To: The address the mail is passed along to.
Adding a Forwarder
Click Add Forwarder in the top right. A window will appear:
- Forward From: The username at your domain that should be forwarded. Your domain is shown fixed next to it, so you only enter the username portion.
- Forward To: The full email address where the mail should be delivered. This can be any address, including one outside your domain.
Click Add Forwarder to save it. Click Cancel to close without adding anything.
Deleting a Forwarder
Click the three-dot icon on a forwarder’s row and choose Delete. You’ll be asked to confirm before it’s removed. Deleting a forwarder only stops the forwarding; it doesn’t affect the destination inbox.
Using Third-Party Email Providers
If you prefer to use third-party email providers, click to learn more.