The new prayer diary
Prayer Diary
I hope that by now everyone has seen and is using our new prayer diary. The deepening of prayer is one of Bishop John's key priorities for the diocese and with that in mind, it was felt important to place greater emphasis on our intercessions diary to enable it to be accessible to everyone.
The prayer diary is pocket-sized to enable it to be carried around or simply kept by your bedside; as well as being suitable for use in church. It features news happening around the diocese as a basis for prayer (as well as praying for the individual parishes as has always happened). Hopefully it will be an effective prayer tool as well as an alternative way of communicating some of the great things that are happening in the diocese.
The diary is free to all parishes and there should be enough for everyone who wants one to have a copy, it's definitely not just for readers and clergy. If you haven't seen it, then please do ask in church and make sure you get your copy! It's also available on the diocesan website and I'm happy to produce versions in large-print if people contact me.
The January-March edition is the second prayer diary in the new format and it still continues to evolve, so I'd really appreciate any feedback and thoughts about what you find most and least useful.
Sam Setchell Diocesan Communications Officer
ssetchell@cofe-worcester.org.uk
__________________________________________________________________________________________
When was the last time your PCC discussed a strategy for communications?
A parish communications strategy can help you to go for growth - it will help raise the profile of your church in your local community and ensure that your church is welcoming to new and existing members and visitors. A parish communications strategy doesn't need to be complex or difficult - but it is essential. Jesus himself told his disciples to ‘go into all the world' and make disciples; and you can't do that without communicating.
Weekly Pew Sheet / Notice Sheet
Why not produce a weekly pew-sheet to give to people as they arrive for worship and make available for visitors in-between services? As well as notices and contact information you could include the words of hymns, songs, Bible readings and prayer requests.
Do remember to ensure you have an appropriate licence from Christian Copyright Licensing International before reproducing hymns and songs (http://www.ccli.co.uk/)
Parish Magazine
This can be anything from a magazine designed for those connected with or an interest in the church; through to a full community-wide local magazine. Whatever the target audience, the best magazines are those which seek to be topical and newsy. PCCs should consider methods of production, language level, contents and financing. Is the magazine to be self-funded through advertising and subscriptions; or is the PCC going to subsidise it as a method of outreach? Do you send your parish magazine to the Diocesan Digest, to your local radio stations and newspapers?
Church Notice boards
Most churches are designed to hide what takes place inside - the notice board is therefore of prime importance. Just because it is outside a church there is no need for olde worlde fonts! What does your current notice board say to those who don't know your church?
Church Entrance
After the notice board, the entrance to the church is the next most important part of your communications activity. Is it obvious how to get in? Is it easily accessible for people with mobility difficulties? Is it well lit and clean? What message does this give to newcomers?
Exhibition Areas
Do you have internal notice boards? Does it give people an impression about what your church is like? Does it present a comprehensive picture of your church life from children to youth to adult? Does it express ecumenical and overseas concerns? Does it reveal something of your social and evangelistic efforts?
Easter and Christmas Communications
Research shows that there are lots of people who would go to church if only somebody invited them. Why not send a card at Easter and Christmas to every household in the parish? The Christian Publicity Organisation has a range of products which coordinates posters and banners with service sheets and invitation cards. Find out more at http://www.cpo-online.org.uk/.
Advertising
Has your church considered advertising service times in the local press? If you are in the Express and Star distribution area have you made sure their local office has your service times for their weekly listing? Are there any bed and breakfast or guest houses nearby which could display your service times at reception? Do you advertise on local radio? Or take part in the national Christmas radio advertising campaign organised by Churches Advertising Network? More information is at http://www.churchads.org.uk/.
Parish Office and Resources
Have you considered what basic resources you will make available as part of a parish office? Do you have a modern computer with word processing, photo manipulation and DTP software? Do you have in-house photocopying or duplicating facilities?
Internet
Do you have access to email to receive the weekly diocesan Bulletin? Do you use email to send your own regular parish bulletin or prayer letter to members? Have you checked that your entry on http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ is up to date? Do you have a parish website giving information about your church and service times?
Access issues
Do you have large-print service books and notice sheets? Do you have an induction loop attached to your PA system for hearing aid users? Is your church accessible for people with mobility difficulties and do you have toilet facilities for people in wheelchairs?
Hymn books and service sheets
How many service books and hymn books are handed to people who come to worship? Can coming to worship feel like going to a university lecture with the amount of books handed out? Would the provision of new hymn books or the use of printed song sheets or data projection facilities make for a stronger and warmer welcome?
Church Press Officer / Parish Communicator
You can't delegate all your communications activities to one person - communications is the responsibility of everybody in the church. But you can appoint somebody to develop the church's thinking about communications - somebody who can act as press officer. It could be the parish magazine editor or website editor or somebody completely different. The diocesan communications office maintains a list of parish communicators and seeks to provide training and other resources. The Church of England nationally provides training and further details are at http://www.commstraining.cofe.anglican.org/.
This guidance note should not be read as insisting that every church should do everything mentioned within it. Every church should, however, at least consider the items within it as they develop and create their own communications strategy and policy.
