Presbyterian Communicators Network to host online workshop

The goal is to help make sure your online service is copyright compliant

by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — As the COVID-19 pandemic created new communications challenges for churches across the country, the Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN) looked for new ways to help congregations address those challenges.

Forced to discontinue the daylong onsite presbytery-wide communications workshops because of the pandemic, the PCN began hosting quarterly online workshops centered on communications issues that challenged those responsible for communications in their church or presbytery.

At 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 10, the PCN will host a workshop exploring the legal concerns around livestreaming services. The workshop will provide information to make sure that communicators are taking the necessary steps to help make their congregation’s livestream events copyright compliant. A PC(USA) staff attorney, Andrej Ajanovic, will discuss the dos and don’ts of copyrights and licenses for performances on various social media platforms and through other media. Register for the workshop here.

With houses of worship across the country closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, congregations resorted to livestreaming their worship services.   Livestreaming, the broadcasting of live video to an audience over the internet, has rapidly increased in popularity because social media platforms make it easier to do so.

The Presbyterian Communicators Network was created in 2004 as a response to a General Assembly Mission Work Plan. Among other things, the plan called for enhancing communications efforts across the denomination and creating a system that promotes dialogue within the church. The network’s primary mission is to link Presbyterians who are officially responsible for communications in their synod, presbytery or congregation through on-site workshops, e-newsletters, social media and other communications vehicles.

The workshops have been successful in helping church communicators understand the need for planning their communications efforts and how best to do that. In addition to the quarterly workshops, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s communication ministry will develop a customized workshop to meet specific needs of churches. Individuals may schedule a workshop online by clicking here.

The network’s goals include encouraging communicators to receive and distribute information about news, events, and resources within PC(USA); foster camaraderie and continuing education among Presbyterian communicators; and provide hands-on workshops to presbyteries and churches. 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 its inception, nearly 1,200 individuals from 41 presbyteries have participated in the daylong workshops.

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

Some of the benefits a Presbyterian Communicators Network member enjoys 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
• Access to a closed Facebook group that regularly schedules live broadcasts relating to communications strategies and topics
• 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.