09440
June 4, 2009

Stories to tell

PCN Conference at Big Tent will hone communication skills

by Tavia Harrison
Special to Presbyterian News Service

BRUNSWICK, GA — The 2009 National Presbyterian Communicator’s Network Conference is offering thirteen workshops, three plenary sessions, and other exciting educational opportunities geared toward religious communicators as part of the first-ever Big Tent event June 11-13 in Atlanta, GA. 

“PC(USA) has some great stories to tell and communicators are the ones who help spread the word,” says Susan Lindsay, Mission Communications Associate for the PC(USA). “The PCN conference links communicators across the church and helps them acquire and improve skills. 

“The network is stronger than the individual members — by sharing stories, tools, resources, and ideas, we all become better at our jobs.  Each year the network expands and grows stronger, helping all of us communicate more effectively on behalf of the whole church.”

One skill that is a challenge for many communicators is learning new technologies. “Social Media 101,” led by General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow, will explore Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other social media tools.  

“Care and Feeding of Your Website,” led by Dana McMahan and Jonathan Dennis, web content developers for the General Assembly Council’s Creative Services, will help communicators get the most out of their websites by keeping them current. Other workshops will address communication issues, newsletters, photography and graphic design. 

Plenary speakers for the conference will be Karen L. Schmidt, deputy executive director for Communications and Funds Development; Lynette Hawkins, a Presbyterian elder and lead consultant for Beyond Marketing Group, Inc.’s ministry resource, “Awesome Insight”; and Karl Travis, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, TX. 

Other PCN conference highlights include a welcome and networking reception on June 11, a tour of CNN headquarters on June 12, and presentation of Presbyterian Writers Guild awards on June 13. 

Intertwined in the schedule are the Big Tent common events: worship each day, group meals and a 26th anniversary celebration of Presbyterian reunion — which occurred in Atlanta in 1983 — at Centennial Park.

For more information and registration materials, visit Comnet and Big Tent's Web site or contact Susan Lindsay by email or by phone at (888) 728-7228, x5060. Hotel registration is separate.

Tavia Harrison serves on the staff of Savannah Presbytery. She will be covering the National Presbyterian Communicators Network Conference for PNS.