Resources
RE•source, n. Something that can be used for
support or help.
The Presbyterian Communicators Network supports its members by offering these helpful resources for your communication work.
Challenged by church newsletters? Help is available
Tavia Harrison has written a great “how-to” article for church newsletter editors who struggle with content, design and production. Harrison is a member of the Presbyterian Communicators Network and the office administrator for Savannah Presbytery. Her article is part of a series of articles on church communications; the series also includes articles on audience analysis, church bulletins and much more. Be sure to check it out!
And for newsletter or Web editors struggling to find content, remember that you can republish articles from the Presbyterian Communicators Network e-newsletter. PCN members receive the newsletter monthly. If you are not a member, join now.
2009 National PCN Conference resources
Do you edit a newsletter, manage a Web site or handle other communication tasks?
Get resources from the plenary sessions and interactive workshops designed just for Presbyterian communicators at the 2009 National PCN Conference at Big Tent. Find out more.
New DVD shows connectional nature of General Assembly Mission Council
A
new DVD, General Assembly Overview … Offering the World a Visible
Witness of Jesus Christ, will introduce you to some of the
faces and the stories that both embody and illustrate the important work that
Louisville staff does in connection with you to carry out the mission of the
GAMC. The
nature of this work is organized around justice, compassion, leadership, vocation,
evangelism, witness, spirituality and discipleship, with support from shared
services. We
encourage you to circulate the program among your constituents so that all can
see how we work together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Order a copy today!
Free (plus shipping) • PDS#1010007001
Take a sneak peak of the DVD:
 Add this video to your Web site or blog.
Media Ministry
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PMM is a faith-based
nonprofit media organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). PMM is
supported by nine presbyteries, two synods and the PC(USA) Office of Communication.
It is an electronic digital mission that seeks "in a world of confusing
and competing messages, to communicate a creative and compelling witness to the
gospel of Jesus Christ through media."
We are a voluntary, non-profit association
of writers who are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The
group provides support and encouragement to its members through workshops and
an awards program.
Print and Web graphics, including the Presbyterian seal
and a variety of clip art.
Graphics Interchange Format (.GIF)
Tagged Image File (.TIF)
Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS)
Note: EPS files work best with Adobe
Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand. The best method for opening an EPS file is
going into the program you want to open the EPS in and selecting File > Open.
The Religion Communicators Council is
an interfaith association of more than 600 religion communicators working in
print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The RCC provides
for professional development and networking through local chapters and an annual
meeting. The RCC Web site links you to a diversity of faith groups.
RSS Feeds
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds provide a way to share
information across the Web in a simple and standardized way. The
PC(USA) offers RSS to easily create and distribute information that middle governing
bodies, churches and individuals may include on their Web sites. As new information
is updated in the feed, the content displayed on your Web site will automatically
change, giving your Web users the latest information about the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.).
Interfaith/Ecumenical Resources and Organizations
The National Council of Churches
of Christ USA is comprised of 36 Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, historic
African American and Living Peace member faith groups that include 45 million
people in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches is
a fellowship of more than 200 churches with roots in the 16th century Reformation
that links more than 75 million Christians in over 100 countries around the world.
The World Council
of Churches brings together more than 340 churches, denominations and church
fellowships in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world, representing
some 400 million Christians.
News Services
The Associated Church Press is an international community of communication professionals
brought together by faithfulness to their craft and by a common task of reflecting,
describing, and supporting the life of faith and the Christian community. Read
their news releases online.
Ecumenical News International (ENI) is an ecumenical
news agency sponsored by World Alliance of Reformed Churches in partnership with
the Conference of European Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and the World
Council of Churches.
Latin American and Carribbean Communication
Agency (ALC) is an
ecumenical agency that offers information and analysis to religious and secular
communication media about the socio-ecclesial reality in Latin American and other
regions of the world. Web site available in English and Spanish.
Religion Newswriters Association is a non-profit
trade association that works to promote excellence in religion reporting in the
news media. The RNA Web site offers a links and information helpful in understanding
coverage of religion in the public media.
Religion News Service (RNS) online
offers one of the few secular news and photo services devoted to unbiased coverage
of religion and ethics.
Resources and Services
This area of pcusa.org has some general
information on different copyright issues as they relate to a church setting.
It is just one part of a complete Legal Manual developed
by national staff in the Legal/Risk Management program area of the GAMC.
Crisis Communication Plan
It's something that can't be predicted, but should a crisis
occur, having a plan of action for how to communicate,
what to communicate and to whom may ease the pain of the situation. Katie
Houge, Associate for Finance, Database, and Communications for the Presbytery
of the Twin Cities Area has shared the external form
of their plan. You might find it helpful to review this document prior to
creating a plan for your region.
A no-charge Web site that offers translations
from English to 10 different languages, including Spanish. The free offer
is good for several sentences or a short paragraph. Careful though. It doesn't
take into consideration regional influence, such as the difference between Spanish
spoken in Los Angeles, and that spoken in Miami. Good assistance for getting
a message out to non-English speaking members of your congregation or community.
This site provides resources for the staff and committees
of our presbyteries and synods. We will post models and policies we have
received from our middle governing bodies (MGB) as well as policy statements,
program designs and other information from General Assembly entities that relate
to MGBs.
The appropriate release should be used whenever you are taking a picture or
making a recording (audio/video) of a person that could be recognized in the
reproduction of the picture or recording. We recommend that the person taking
the picture or recording (or someone at the same event) act as the "witness." Please
make sure to read the release for further details.
Got a question pertaining to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? Contact
PresbyTel, the "reference desk" for the PC(USA), at (800) 872-3283.
An online list of vendors from software to office furniture
to phone service that offers substantial discounts to PC(USA) member churches
and governing bodies.
The Bible Gateway is a tool for reading
and researching scripture online — all in the language or translation of
your choice! It provides advanced searching capabilities, which allow readers
to find and compare particular passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases,
or scripture reference. The Bible Gateway was first started in 1993 by Nick Hengeveld
while attending Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.
Published by the RCC, this 155-page, softbound resource covers issues ranging
from establishing a strategic communications plan to crisis communication. Includes
a CD that provides the various worksheets, forms, and guidelines. Order
your copy here.
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