wfn.org | New Presbyterian Publication Launched

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

9-June-1997 
97250 
 
              New Presbyterian Publication Launched  
             with a Goal of Reaching Every Household 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--One of the key planks in General Assembly moderator the 
Rev. John Buchanan's platform became a reality with the late-May debut of a 
new denominational newsletter -- "Presbyterians: Being Faithful to Jesus 
Christ." 
 
     Buchanan, who has often cited the need for a so-called "every 
household publication" that would link every Presbyterian with the national 
church, challenged the General Assembly Council (GAC) in February to 
produce the first issue of such a publication in time for this year's 
Assembly.  The Council unanimously agreed. 
 
     The free two-color, eight-page, tabloid-size paper is a cooperative 
venture between the GAC and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC). 
The Council's Office of Communication is responsible for content, with the 
publishing corporation handling design and production.  Gary Luhr, GAC 
associate director for communication, is the editor. 
 
     An on-line version of the publication, produced by the Congregational 
Ministries Division, will be published at the same time and will give 
on-line readers access to additional information that is available through 
the Presbyterian Church's World Wide Web site: http://www.pcusa.org 
 
     More than 230,000 copies of the first issue were sent to persons whose 
names were compiled from other General Assembly mailing lists.  Luhr said 
other names will be sought from congregations and middle governing bodies 
in an effort to send "Presbyterians: Being Faithful to Jesus Christ" to as 
many church members as possible. 
 
     The newsletter is scheduled to be published quarterly, with the next 
issue due out in early September.  However, the GAC included no funding in 
its approval action in February.  A task group appointed by GAC interim 
executive director the Rev. Frank Diaz is working on a long-range funding 
plan for the new publication.  The cost of the first issue was shared by 
the denomination's six major national entities -- the GAC, the Office of 
the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation, the 
Board of Pensions, the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and PPC. 
 
     Luhr told the Presbyterian News Service the first issue cost $60,000 
for a print run of 350,000 copies.  He said he hopes circulation will 
eventually rise to more than 800,000 households. 
 
     The first issue of the newsletter includes news taken from the 
Presbyterian News Service, opinion columns by denominational leaders, 
stories highlighting mission activities, lists of mission service and 
travel/study opportunities and a catalog of available resources on a wide 
variety of subjects. 
 
     Those wishing to receive a copy of "Presbyterians: Being Faithful to 
Jesus Christ" or congregations that wish to receive a bulk quantity may 
write: "Presbyterians: Being Faithful to Jesus Christ," 100 Witherspoon 
St., Room 5414, Louisville, KY 40202, or e-mail: presbyterians@pcusa.org 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 
  mailed from World Faith News <wfn-news@wfn.org>  

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