Episcopal Church Communication Initiatives Offer Invitation to 'Come and Grow'
Episcopal News Service. October 1, 2004 [100104-2-A]
"Growing up into all things in Christ" -- a spiritual process underscored by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold during the September 23-28 meeting of the House of Bishops -- is a concept currently shaping communications initiatives serving the Episcopal Church.
From website refinements to collaborative national advertising, these efforts call both lifelong Episcopalians and prospective church members to full maturity in faith and practice -- and to renewed commitment to evangelism and hospitality.
New projects include introduction of an annual Thanksgiving morning telecast and webcast anchored at Washington National Cathedral, together with expansion of print and broadcast resources offered in Spanish. Also new is a "Fast Facts" glossary posted online at www.episcopalchurch.org/fastfacts. These added services complement longstanding practices such as publication of the monthly Episcopal Life newspaper.
The initiatives affirm the experience of Episcopalians who say they increasingly find:
* God is at work, and the Church continues its mission in the world.
* New understanding of God's creation continues to unfold.
* Gratitude for God's blessings is expressed in common prayer and worship.
* Service to the human family unites the Episcopal Church's 7,300 congregations and those of the wider Anglican Communion.
* Peacemaking and reconciliation are essential around today's strife-torn globe. As our Prayer Book tells us, the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. We carry out this work of reconciliation in our personal relationships and as a Church both locally and globally.
* Humility as a Church and nation begins with respect and compassion for others.
* All are welcome to experience the rich inclusiveness of Anglican tradition.
This latter invitation is further conveyed by combining the time-honored motto "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" with a new suggestion to "Come and Grow." These themes are reflected in a new visitors' center scheduled to debut online October 15 at http://www.comeandgrow.org/ -- and which correlates with national advertising options detailed in an upcoming October 15 prospectus.
The "Come and Grow" invitation reflects the spirit of the New Testament scripture Ephesians 4:15: "...speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."
The shaping of communications ministry has been discussed in September meetings of the Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communication, the board of the Episcopal Communicators organization, the Executive Committee of Executive Council, the House of Bishops -- and in the work of the Office of Communication at the Episcopal Church Center in New York where inquiries may be directed to Canon Robert Williams, Acting Director of Communication (800.334.7626, ext. 5385; rwilliams@episcopalchurch.org).