wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Network seeks to link communicators within the PC(USA)

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8624 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05050
January 27, 2005

Network seeks to link communicators within the PC(USA)

Office of Communication is facilitating the effort

by Toya Richards Hill

LOUISVILLE - With 173 presbyteries, 16 synods and 11,300 congregations in the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), it's not surprising that communication
sometimes may get constricted and messages somewhat muddied.

That's why an effort is currently under way to keep those issues from
happening and to create a more cohesive way of spreading Presbyterian news.

With $100,000 and marching orders to "initiate a communication strategy" set
forth in the General Assembly Council (GAC) 2005-2006 Mission Work Plan, the
Office of Communication is working with presbyteries and synods around the
country to develop the Presbyterian Communicators Network.

Although through the years various communications groups have existed in the
PC(USA), the current effort is attempting "to get every presbytery and synod
to give us the name of someone that they would like to be a part of this
network," says Ann Gillies, the GAC's associate director for communication.
"We're trying to get as many names as we can identify."

Ultimately the network should link communicators in synods and presbyteries
with staff in Louisville and vice versa, Gillies says. And it also will
enable those communicators out in the church talk to one another.

Effort first taking place on regional level

Work on the network is initially taking place through regional meetings. The
first such gathering was held Nov. 12-13 in Charlotte, NC, and two others are
scheduled to take place, Feb. 10-11 in Austin, TX, and March 16-18 in
Seattle, WA.

Hopefully this effort "will give rise to more consistent connections," says
Shane Whisler, associate for communications for the Synod of the Sun, based
in Carrollton, TX. "It would be nice for leaders and staff and volunteers at
all levels to have one clear stream of information to dip into instead of
dozens of separate ponds."

Whisler is helping to organize the Austin communicators' meeting, which he
expects "at least 30 people" to attend. Information on the meeting can be
obtained at www.pcn.synodsun.com.

Corey Schlosser-Hall, communication director for the Seattle Presbytery,
expects between 60 and 80 people to attend the meeting in March.

Speakers will present topics such as "Meeting God in Virtual Reality: Using
Spiritual Practices with Media" and "Creating Value in Every Message." News
on that meeting is available from www.presbytery.org/communicatorsconference.

National meeting in the works for August

Work also is being done to prepare for a national meeting of church
communicators. Scheduled for Aug. 11-14 in Louisville, the event is expected
to draw at least 200 representatives from synods and presbyteries, according
to Mindy Marchal, associate for external communication for the Office of
Communication.

The theme for the event - "What's In Your Hand?" - is adapted from Exodus
4:1-5.

Chances are "everyone will come with something different in their hands,"
such as a newsletter they've created or a Web site they've developed, Marchal
says. But the goal is to put those things down and "look at them with a new
perspective."

Worship activities, plenary sessions with group interaction, workshops on
topics such as how to relate to the local media, and briefings on current
issues related to the Presbyterian Church will all be included in the
meeting.

"We are trying to look at everything through the eyes of communicators,"
Marchal says.

Gillies says the event will also focus on the participants themselves
determining how they want the network to function for the long term.

"They will make their own decisions about how they are going to work
together," she says. "Then the network will function however the group in
August sets it up to function."

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