ctmissionconnect closes; asset-mapping tool to start

The social networking site, "ctmissionconnect.org" was closed in February following several notices to its more than 600 members.It was designed as a way to connect online as common participants in God's mission, and was an experiment that didn't work as it might have. Thanks to all those who participated and contributed, and we move forward.

In fact, there are other options now and planned for the future, including a collaboration with Episcopal Relief and Development to create an asset map that we believe will support collaboration.

ctmissionconnect debuted in April 2011 as part of the Mission Discernment Initiative launched following Bishop Ian T. Douglas' 2010 Annual Address, and has run its course. There is now a general "God's Mission" blog on the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) website where we can post stories and links in different media. Development of a secure area of the website to store documents for various ECCT committees is on the 2015 agenda as is a redesign of the parish website template. A speakers bureau is starting up. We continue to add resources to the ECCT website and we're present in other social media. We support your communication and media work including mission-focused blogs, Facebook groups, and more.

More recently I have been working with Episcopal Relief and Development as they build and develop an asset-mapping tool that will support ever more collaboration as we participate in God's mission. The maps are similar in approach to the simple online Google ministry maps I created in the past, yet more expansive, comprehensive, robust, and (God willing) they will be church-wide. ECCT Operations Manager Matt Handi and I are exploring how the map might integrate with our newly-redeveloping ECCT database. Look for this in the coming months.

Thanks for sharing the journey.

100 ways to get your church noticed: New book & website

(Anglican Communion News Service)

A new book offering help for churches to reach their congregations and communities – using everything from social media and mobile-friendly websites to more traditional publicity methods – has been launched today (Wednesday 26th November).

‘100 Ways To Get Your Church Noticed’ has been written by Neil Pugmire, communications adviser for Portsmouth’s Church of England diocese, and offers advice to churches on everything from creating a dynamic Facebook page to designing effective posters, and from putting together a must-read parish magazine to getting stories covered in the media.
...
“Churches are full of fascinating people with interesting stories to tell about God working in their lives. We rarely tell those stories in parish magazines, on websites or via the media. But people like to read about other people’s lives, and it’s a great way of showing that our churches are dynamic places where lives can be changed.
"They also often rely on methods that might have worked before. It’s sometimes hard for them to appeal to a new audience who might never read a parish magazine, but would read the same story via Twitter or Facebook.”
...
The book was originally published in 2006, but has been rewritten and expanded to include details of how churches can use social media, create mobile apps and put together websites that look good on mobiles and tablets. It also includes advice on making good use of church buildings and noticeboards, using text messages and email newsletters, taking good photographs and spreading a word-of-mouth reputation by helping out in the local community.

Alongside the book, an accompanying website – www.getyourchurchnoticed.com –features further ideas, plus the chance for churches to submit their own examples of good publicity.

Link to full article here

Creating compelling content: An infographic

Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger.

The Future of Clergy eNews

On February 25 the office of communication & media held a meeting about the future of a clergy newsletter. Two people attended, Salin Low and Kate Heichler. Whitney Alltop attempted to join us via video conference, but we encountered some technical difficulties. Here’s a rundown of what was discussed, including ways for you to be involved going forward.

Karin began with an overview of the survey results from last spring, in which clergy overwhelmingly said they would like to see the clergy newsletter return and offered feedback on aspects of the newsletter and features.  She then reviewed the history of the clergy enewsletter. It used to come out of the Canon to the Ordinary’s office and was edited by Linda Walley, but due to restructuring and shifting responsibilities, the communications office will now facilitate the clergy newsletter.

Based on the responses from the survey, and answers to specific questions by the two in attendance, a new clergy newsletter will be debuted in May and here’s a breakdown of what it would be / look like:

Frequency? Monthly, preferably mid-month

How to add names? Subscription link in regular enews, possibly adding names from clergy database

Lead article

· Frequency: Every issue
· Writers: Clergy from across the diocese. A group of approx. 12 clergy will be asked to start the process, with ongoing contributions. One goal is to alternate male and female clergy as writers
· Length: 300-500 words. The newsletter will include the first paragraph from the longer article, then it will link to the rest of it on a blog site or webpage.
· Editing: Kate Heichler volunteered to edit; the communications team will also edit
· Content: Clergy will be asked to write on one of the following : joy in your ministry, mission, what’s happening in your ministry, innovations or another similar topic

Transition info (and link to page/s if available)

· New hires, ordinations, changes of position, retirements
· Note: No transitions are listed until their Letter of Agreement (LOA) is signed and filed, even if months later.
· “Saying goodbye..” section including retirements, clergy moving away, deaths

New clergy profiles:

· Salin Low volunteered to start this up and come up with a template
· Might be able to do this as a form clergy new to the diocese can fill out & archive it on the web.

Reminders of related events (note: New website will have clergy event page) These events will include:

· Clericus meetings
· Annual Convention
· Clergy conference
· Clergy Days
· Clergy Safe Church recertification
· All retreats geared towards clergy both priests and deacons) – for example, the fall clergy retreat, women clergy retreat, deacons’ retreat
· Other events that include most/all the clergy
· Confirmations
· Visitation schedule
· Annual ECW meeting in May

Reminders of deadlines & links to registration

Quick Links

· Transitions page
· Diocesan calendar
· Visitation schedules
· Diocesan blogs 

A big thank you to Karin Hamilton for overseeing this process, to Salin Low & Kate Heichler for coming out to the meeting and for those who expressed their regrets but were not able to attend. If you’d like to be involved in the clergy newsletter, please email Kori Pacyniak at kpacyniak@ctdiocese.org

We look forward to sending out the first issue by mid-May.

Whither the widget

I would love to know if there is a simple widget that would allow me to put this blog content (short option) with a link to the blog, on a website page. I can access the html on the website, tho javascript generally doesn't work. Any thoughts welcome. I'll also go to the developer but that costs $. I did several google searches and nada. Contact Karin Hamilton.

Pinning Christmas

Celebrate the joy of Christmas
at your local church this year!

Pinterest is likely under-used by Connecticut Episcopal parishes. Pinterest is the social media that lets you "pin" images that interest you to labeled "boards" and other Pinterest community members can like, share, and re-pin your pins on their own boards. Lots of pins are of makeup, fashion, weddings, home decor, but the market is huge and growing. Nonprofits and businesses are there. Carolyn Clement at Trinity, Tariffville had board pinned with all things Advent and Christmas that she found and re-pinned, and she created an invitation to church Christmas Eve. Did anyone else? Other images that might work for Pinterest could be a closeup photo of the tag on a Christmas giving tree, showing a bit of the tree around it, with a short caption about giving; a closeup of a beautiful part of the Church interior or a photo of the exterior; a stained glass window of the nativity; a closeup of a creche set, at an interesting or unusual angle; a close up of cookies from the cookie exchange; or even Communion (with identity obscured). Have fun!

Tech needs and blog test 1

Well the diocesan staff is pondering various tech matters as we anticipate the move out of this current office location to (probably but not definitely yet) Meriden. For example, the move provides the opportunity to take advantage of our recent google nonprofit status, allowing us access to their fabulous stuff. We're piloting a proposed move to gmail as an email service - all this is in the planning stage, nothing definite. The address would be @ctepiscopal, which a number of us have long desired.  We'll also be talking about hardware, software, networks, remote access, wireless needs, mobile apps, and some policies. And database - but that is a much bigger conversation.

This blog is my test of the google app blog, blogger. I want to see if it works well and if it can be integrated into the new website that's under construction - both for functionality and appearance.