ELCA Communicators Gather in Pittsburgh

ELCA COMMUNICATORS GATHER IN PITTSBURGH

About 140 people who tell the stories of mission
and ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America gathered in Pittsburgh Nov. 20-21 for
the 1997 ELCA Communicators' Consultation. The
140 communicators work in the ELCA's 65 synods and
other organizations of the church. The conference
was an opportunity for synod communicators, who
often work on their own, to meet and network with
each other and staff, said the Rev. Eric C.
Shafer, ELCA director for communication. The
church's role in media education, news and
information and synod support for congregations
"online" were some of the topics addressed at the
consultation. A panel of synod communicators
shared ideas for communicating the Gospel of Jesus
Christ in ways old and new, said Shafer. A new
series of resources combining communication and
evangelism called, "Go Public!" was introduced.
The kit is made up of an interactive video
workshop, books, audio cassettes and a compact
disc that introduce and cite examples of
effective outreach and communication to a wider
community. Communicators also met here with 850
clergy and lay leaders of the ELCA for "Making
Christ Known: Congregations for the 21st Century,"
Nov. 21-23. Sponsored by the ELCA's Department
for Communication and the Division for
Congregational Ministries, the conference offered
35 workshops. Topics ranged from designing a web
page for a congregation to radio ministry and
cable television.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html