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September 8, 2006
PC(USA) communicators to meet next month
Regional conference will focus on spreading church news better
by Evan Silverstein
LOUISVILLE — A group of church communicators from the Western states will meet next month in San Jose, CA, to learn new techniques and share ideas about more effectively telling Presbyterian stories.
Gustavo Vasquez of Palisades Presbytery conducts a workshop at a Presbyterian Communicators Network regional conference earlier this year in Minneapolis, MN. Photo by Kim Coulter
The three-day conference that starts on Oct. 4 is being sponsored by the Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN), a two-year-old national grassroots organization that includes Presbyterian communicators based in presbyteries and congregations.
Participants will gather at Westminster Presbyterian Church for worship, plenary presentations by a number of experts and workshops on a range of communication topics.
“Communication is critical for the church to move forward and this conference is going to cover all phases of communication and help people do that better,” said Pat Plant, co-communicator for the Presbytery of San Jose and a conference planner.
The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, coordinator of the Presbyterian News Service, will open the event with a keynote address. Retired San Jose Presbytery executive the Rev. Paul Masquelier will conduct a workshop titled “Web 101,” aimed at assisting newcomers with designing and managing a Web site. Other workshop topics are to include communication crisis planning, newsletter design and review, and presenting PowerPoint presentations.
“This conference fills a need,” Plant said. “The people that communicate I would say are hungry for good stories to tell and anxious to learn how to do it well.”
The PCN was started in 2004 in response to calls from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) middle governing bodies for improved communication throughout the denomination, according to Mindy Marchal, associate for external communication for the PC(USA)’s Office of Communication.
She said the network functions through “multi-directional sharing of information” between congregations, middle governing bodies and national staff. The sharing includes information, stories, ideas and support.
The PCN holds three to four regional conferences during years when the PC(USA)’s General Assembly convenes. One national event is held during non-Assembly years.
Earlier this year Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery in St. Louis and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies in Minneapolis hosted regional events. The network recently announced that its second national conference will be held in Louisville, Aug 1–3, 2007.
For more information about PCN or the conference go to www.pcusa.org/comnet. |
