AUGUST 2, 2006



Effective communications can be difficult to implement in a parish.  It’s important to keep congregations informed of developments and invite feedback.  But sometimes, even when we feel we’ve done so, there can be varying levels of understanding, which can lead to misinformation and hurt feelings.  There are some simple steps you can take to strengthen your communications program:

§         Say it more than once. Saying something once doesn’t guarantee it will be heard, understood and retained.  New ideas need to be reinforced before we are able to internalize them.

§         Say it more than one way.  Not every one reads bulletins, checks the website for updates, listens to announcements or comes to coffee hour.  Make sure you communicate through as many venues as possible so people will see important information in a format they are comfortable with.

§         Make it relevant.  People need to know not only what is going on, but why and how it is important to their congregational life.  Put the situation into context for them.

§         Invite response.    Provide tear off comment cards, a suggestion box, names of people they can talk to.  Make it easy for them to provide input and ask questions.

If you are interested in learning more about parish communications, subscribe to Vestry Papers on www.EpiscopalFoundation.org or call 800-697-2858.

Vestry Papers is published by the Episcopal Church Foundation and its goal is to inform, inspire and affirm Episcopal vestries in their work.

 
 
News & Events

Investiture of the new Presiding Bishop
The investiture of the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church will take place Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. at Washington National Cathedral. Tickets are available to the public. Ticket requests must be mailed to The Office of the Presiding Bishop, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY, 10017. They must be mailed and postmarked no earlier than Aug. 15. Tickets will be distributed on the basis of when requests were mailed (not received).

a. Each request may include the names of up to two people.
b. No requests for groups will be honored.
c. No requests by e-mail or fax will be accepted.
d. The request for tickets should include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Tickets will be mailed the first week after Labor Day. Included in the mailing will be information about access to the Cathedral and when the doors will be opened.

A Call for Me?
Christ Church, Spotsylvania, Sept. 21, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; $25 payable in advance or at the door. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women, this annual retreat for the Diocese of Virginia features noted spiritual leader Marjory Zoet Bankson, author of The Call to the Soul and editor of Faith @ Work (www.faithatwork.com). The retreat is open to all. For more information about the retreat or to register contact Carolyn Davis, jfd@bealenet.com or call 540-742-5654. Program flyer also available at http://ecw.thediocese.net under upcoming events.

Appreciative Inquiry Training Oct. 17-21
Join Rober Voyle of the Clergy Leadership Institute to gain practical, insightful and, at times, humorous insight on the appreciative inquiry method for religious systems; Oct. 17-21, Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. To reserve space please contact the Rev. Gene R. Anderson at 800-346-7982 or ganderso@dioswva.org.

EFM Forming in Fredericksburg
Education for Ministry (EFM), the intensive, distance theological education course for lay persons offered through the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee, has added another site to its fall roster of locations. A new group is forming in Fredericksburg. Other group locations in the Diocese of Virginia include Alexandria, Goochland, King George, Richmond and Gloucester. For more info, contact diocesan EFM coordinator, the Rev. Jo-Ann Murphy, 804/334-7821 or joannrmurphy@aol.com.

Policy Manual on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Available in Spanish
The Rev. Thomas Mansella, who translates the Bishop’s Virginia Episcopalian letter into Spanish and also does translation for the Episcopal Church, recently completed translation of the diocesan policy manual on sexual abuse and misconduct into Spanish. The Spanish and English versions are available on the Diocese of Virginia website (www.thediocese.net) under resources and will be available on CD soon.

General Convention: Actions, Prayers
A summary of the legislative actions of General Convention is now available on the Diocesan Web site (www.thediocese.net). In addition, Prayers for National Service, adopted by the General Convention, are also available. These prayers focus on a range of aspects of military service including enlistment, deployment, change of duty stations and prayers for families separated during service. There is also a prayer for conscientious objection and alternative national service.

Virginia Theological Seminary Fall Ministry Conference - Tuesday, Nov. 14th
The faculty, staff and students of Virginia Theological Seminary invite men and women interested in pursuing a masters level theological education to spend a day at the 2006 Fall Ministry Conference. This day-long conference is designed to give participants an opportunity to explore the theological education that sustains a life of service to Jesus Christ in the Church. Participants may be preparing for leadership in the Church through lay or ordained ministry. In either case, this conference will provide insights into the theological training offered by Virginia Seminary. Registration information can be found here: http://www.vts.edu/ftpimages/95/misc/misc_33167.pdf. The deadline for registration is Nov. 1.

Submit a Nomination for Bishop Coadjutor
The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the Bishop Coadjutor position - visit www.virginabishop.info for more information and to download the nomination form.  The Nominating Committee has also recently released Profile of the Diocese of Virginia and asks that you share this profile with prospective nominees and broadly throughout our community.  The profile can now be downloaded from  www.virginiabishop.info and will be available in print by mid-August.

Other Links

Calendar: a full listing of Diocesan events.
General Convention : Official website of the 75th General Convention.
Employment: the latest information on ministry opportunities in our various churches.

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