First workshop of 2021 focuses on best practices for church e-newsletters
by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN) will hold its first online workshop for 2021 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
This workshop will focus on the creating effective church e-newsletters. Since 2015, the Communications Ministry of the Presbyterian Mission Agency has worked to breathe new life into a previously little-known resource within the organization.
Created in 2004 as a response to a General Assembly Mission Work Plan, the PCN works to enhance communications efforts across the denomination and promote dialogue within the church. The Communicators Network’s primary mission is to link Presbyterians who are officially responsible for communications in their synod, presbytery or congregation through workshops, e-newsletters, social media and other communications vehicles.
The online workshops are designed to help church communicators connect with members of their congregation and community. With many churches still not conducting in-person worship services, it’s more important than ever for congregations to be in contact and communicate through many different platforms. Register for the Feb. 16 workshop here.
“This workshop will focus on the effective use of e-newsletters for churches,” said Jeffrey Lawrence, director of Media and Publishing for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, who will be the presenter for the one-hour event. “In this digital era, it is more important than ever for churches to know the best and most effective use for the communication tools they have at their disposal. And, of course budget is always a consideration. The workshop will share a variety of resources that are available at little to no cost.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rethink and reimagine the way we communicate,” noted Lawrence. “I am so pleased to participate in this event and to bring the resources of the national church to any congregation that wants to take part in the workshop.”
The network’s goals include encouraging communicators to receive and distribute information about news, events, and resources within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); fostering camaraderie and continuing education among Presbyterian communicators; and providing hands-on workshops to presbyteries and churches. Workshops are available on core themes such as strategic communications planning, media relations, social media and website development, with other topics available upon request. Since the first workshop was offered, more than 1,200 individuals from 41 different presbyteries have participated in the daylong workshops.
Membership to the network is open to anyone — paid staff or volunteer — in a synod, presbytery or congregation who has communications responsibilities. Individuals serving on communications committees, and those responsible for newsletters, websites, social media or any other form of communications are welcome to join and reap the benefits of membership.
Some of the benefits a Presbyterian Communicator Network member enjoys include:
- Access to all Presbyterian News Service stories for reprint in church newsletters. Members automatically receive a weekly copy of all news stories via email
- Live webinars
- Permission to post questions or queries about communications issues on a blog
- Communications research and statistics
- Logos and artwork to use with newsletters and websites
- A listing of all job openings available through the PC(USA) national office
To join the network, complete the online form, email Gail Strange at gail.strange@pcusa.org or call 800-728-7228, ext. 5340.
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