(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
Tidbits, tips, ideas, useful content, and great stuff for parish communicators
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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
Quick Links
We look forward to sending out the first issue by mid-May.
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 issueTransition info (and link to page/s if available)
· 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
· New hires, ordinations, changes of position, retirementsNew clergy profiles:
· 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
· Salin Low volunteered to start this up and come up with a templateReminders of related events (note: New website will have clergy event page) These events will include:
· Might be able to do this as a form clergy new to the diocese can fill out & archive it on the web.
· Clericus meetingsReminders of deadlines & links to registration
· 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
Quick Links
· Transitions pageA 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
· Diocesan calendar
· Visitation schedules
· Diocesan blogs
We look forward to sending out the first issue by mid-May.
Labels:
clergy,
communications strategy,
enews,
newsletters
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