wfn.org | Lutherans Help Produce "How Shall They Hear"

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 26, 2000

LUTHERANS HELP PRODUCE "HOW SHALL THEY HEAR"
00-19-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) has
produced a sixth edition of "How Shall They Hear: A Handbook for
Religion Communicators."  The soft-bound, 166-page resource is now
available to all faith communities across the United States.  The
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of 70 faith groups
involved in the handbook's production.
     "The handbook is the only one of its kind," said the Rev. Eric C.
Shafer, director, ELCA Department for Communication.  Shafer is vice
president of RCC, an interfaith association of religion communicators.
     "The handbook provides instruction for effective communication
planning, the production of news releases, photography, art and
graphics, and the use of the Internet and World Wide Web, broadcast
media, advertising, billboards and more.  It shows how to deliver one's
message and how to do it well," said Shafer.  "It brings religion
communication expertise to those who may not have it."
     "How Shall They Hear" includes two sections -- "Understanding
religious communications" and "Using the right tools and media."  Both
sections include information on conducting a communication audit;
working with interfaith communities; news and feature writing;
photography and photo editing; desktop publishing; marketing and more.
     "In this, the 70th anniversary year of the Religion Communicators
Council, it is appropriate to remember that today's religion
communicators follow in the footsteps of many trailblazers.  Those early
communicators helped to develop and advance the discipline of religion
communication.  Our work today is made easier by their significant
contributions," Linda Post Bushkofsky, Bloomington, Minn., wrote in the
handbook's acknowledgments.  Bushkofsky, editor of the handbook, is a
member of the ELCA.
     The RCC is a nonprofit organization created to serve the religious
community -- local, national and international.  It promotes high
standards for religious public relations and communication, provides
training and continuing education for people engaged in communication on
behalf of religious bodies and institutions, and encourages fellowship
among professional religion communicators.
     The council is an interfaith, professional, service organization
in the United States.  It was founded in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 27,
1929, as the Religious Publicity Council.  In 1967 the council opened
its membership to qualified people of all Christian communions.  In 1970
the membership was opened to people of all faiths.

Editor's Note: To order "How Shall They Hear" write:  RCC Handbook, c/o
UMR Communications, P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, Texas 75266-0275.  The book
is $14.95 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling.  Make check payable to
RCC Handbook.  For more information about the handbook and RCC, call 1-212-870-2985.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html