Communication Team Named for General Convention
Episcopal News Service. January 19, 2006 [011906-01]
A team of diocesan communicators has been selected to assist the Episcopal News Service in its coverage and media support of the 75th General Convention.
"Colleagues were selected on the basis of specific areas of expertise, the geographic diversity of the dioceses they represent, survey responses, and levels of experience in print and digital reporting," said Canon Robert Williams, director of communication at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.
Serving the Convention meeting set for June 13-21 will be reporters Lauren Auttonberry, communication director of the Diocese of Mississippi; Carol E. Barnwell, communication director of the Houston-based Diocese of Texas; Sean McConnell, communicator in the San Francisco-based Diocese of California; Heidi Shott, communication director in the Diocese of Maine; the Rev. Daniel Webster, communication director in the Diocese of Utah; and Melodie Woerman, communication director in the Diocese of Kansas.
Also completing daily reporting assignments will be ENS staff correspondents Matthew Davies, Daphne Mack, the Rev. Patricia McCaughan, the Rev. Thomas Mansella, and - in the capacity of overall General Convention news director -- the Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg.
Overseeing media relations, credentialing and press room operations will be Neva Rae Fox, communication director of the Diocese of New York. Credentialing procedures for journalists, including bloggers, will be announced in future ENS releases, as will rosters of briefing officers serving the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, and protocols for the June 18 election of the 26th Presiding Bishop.
Assisting Fox will be Canon Lydia Lopez, associate for communication and public affairs in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Previously an elected deputy and alternate to General Convention, Lopez will lend expertise to general briefings and Spanish-language interviews.
Anchoring the "Convention Nightly" newscasts aired in Columbus hotels and online will be the Rev. Jan Nunley, deputy for communication at the Episcopal Church Center. Formerly an newsanchor and reporter for both television and radio, Nunley brings experience of covering five previous General Conventions.
"Convention Nightly" will be produced by Michael Collins, director of broadcast and multimedia communication at the Episcopal Church Center.
The nightly program will complement the "Convention Daily" morning newspaper, to be edited under the supervision of news director Schjonberg, and in partnership with the "Triennial Today" publication of the Episcopal Church Women.
A comprehensive guide to General Convention will be published June 13 by Episcopal Life, the church's 200,000-circulation monthly newspaper, edited by Jerry Hames.
Meanwhile, varied churchwide ministries will be featured in a central exhibit, the "Church Center Circle," coordinated by Bernice Lucas, general manager for Episcopal Books and Resources and communication outreach.
Overall Communication Office operations in Columbus will be coordinated by Lisa Webb, who serves the department year-round as administrative assistant.
"I greatly appreciate the commitment and expertise offered in service to the church by this Convention communication team," said Williams. "Together, we look forward to providing outstanding coverage from Columbus."