ECF on Communications, Resources for Churches During Vacation Away from Home

Episcopal Church Foundation has a great article about initiating and/or reformulating a parish communications program.

More and more, with people on the road (instead of in the air), relocating or vacationing, having a church website and/or church blogs can be a wonderful means for getting out the Good News about the church and specifically your parish.  Check out: http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/communications-tried-true-new/communication-tune-up/.

My pet peeve is that although the church ONCE established a website, several parishioners ago, little information posted there is current.  Always remember to keep your electronic communications (or the message on your church answering machine CURRENT, i.e.: Advent gets its own message, Christmas eve/Day services its own, Epiphany its own.  Now the sign out on the property should show, your voicemail message and website info should advertize Summer-time Hours (if you make that switch) - and in late August, when the hours will revert.

Looking for an Episcopal congregation to visit when you're away from home?  Use this link to find a parish near your getaway: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/find-a-church.

And, last but not least, why not put your entire summer pledge in your Sunday envelope (or mail in your summertime pledge) during the collection at your parish before you head out for vacation?  Expenses add up whether you are present or not -- so help keep your parish treasurer in good heart health ...  write one check and breathe a sigh of relief!