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.”