Presbyterian Communicators Network announces schedule for 2022 workshops

Quarterly workshops designed to help communicators during the ongoing pandemic

by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service

Gail Strange will facilitate quarterly online workshops for the Presbyterian Communicators Network.

LOUISVILLE ­— The Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN) is now planning for a series of quarterly online workshops for 2022.

The online workshops grew out of necessity to meet the communications needs of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches during the ongoing pandemic.

One of the most prevalent issues facing churches in the age of COVID-19 is effectively communicating with church members while continuing to adjust to and discern how best to communicate.

The quarterly workshop topics were developed as the result of the requests of many participants attending the 2021 events.

In addition to the planned workshops, there will be opportunities for more discussion around the workshop topics that aren’t covered in the one-hour event. A new session called “Open Mic” will be held the week after the workshop and will allow participants to ask questions related to the workshop topic or other communication questions they may have. Both workshops and the open mic events will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

This year’s topics and dates include:

• Social media analytics: March 29. Open mic panel discussion to follow on April 5.
• How to post a live service: May 17. Open mic panel discussion to follow on May 24.
• Helping pastors build communications teams: August 16. Open mic panel discussion to follow on August 23.
• Video editing: November 8. Open mic panel discussion to follow on November 15.

Registration for the events will open in early March and is necessary to participate in the workshops. The open mic events will be held on the Presbyterian Communicators Network Facebook page.

Communicators are encouraged to join the PCN Facebook group. The PCN continues to offer customized workshops for individual presbyteries. Workshops are available on core themes such as strategic communications planning, media relations, social media and website development, with other topics available upon request.

Since 2015, the Communications Ministry of the Presbyterian Mission Agency has worked to provide communications contacts, resources and information to mid councils and congregations.

Created in 2004 as a response to a General Assembly Mission Work Plan, the PCN works to enhance communications efforts across the denomination and promote dialogue within the church. The Communicators Network’s primary mission is to link Presbyterians who are officially responsible for communications in their synod, presbytery or congregation through workshops, e-newsletters, the Presbyterian Communicators Network blog, social media and other communications vehicles.

Effective communications and technology play a critical role in the way we disseminate information. The online workshops are intended to help church communicators connect with members of their congregation and community. With many churches still not conducting in-person worship or conducting hybrid services, it’s more important than ever for congregations to be in contact and communicate through many different platforms as we rethink and reimagine the way we communicate.

The network’s goals include encouraging communicators to receive and distribute information about news, events, and resources within the PC(USA); fostering camaraderie and continuing education among Presbyterian communicators; and providing hands-on workshops to mid councils and churches.

Membership to the network is open to anyone — paid staff or volunteer — in a synod, presbytery or congregation who has communications responsibilities. Individuals serving on communications committees and those responsible for newsletters, websites, social media, or any other form of communication are welcome to join and reap the benefits of membership.

Some of the benefits members of the Presbyterian Communicators Network enjoy include:

• Access to all Presbyterian News Service stories for reprint in church newsletters. Members automatically receive a weekly copy of all news stories via email
• Live webinars
• Regular tech tips on the PCN Facebook group page
• Permission to post questions or queries about communications issues on a blog
• Communications research and statistics
• Logos and artwork to use with newsletters and websites
• A listing of all job openings available through the PC(USA) national office

To join the network, complete the online form, email Gail Strange at gail.strange@pcusa.org, or call 800-728-7228, ext. 5340.