Committee Reports to Council on The Episcopalian
Diocesan Press Service. February 19, 1975 [75070]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Episcopalian, a national tabloid, is considered "to be an integral part" of a "Church-wide information delivery system capable of reaching into every Episcopal household " as recommended by the 1973 General Convention of the Episcopal Church, according to a report from the Executive Council's Communication Committee.
The Rev. Robert R. Parks of New York City, chairman of the Council's Communication Committee, told the 41-member Council at its February meeting that "after thorough study and careful consideration, and after discussion with a great many persons in the Church, we are firmly convinced that The Episcopalian, in its new form, is fully qualified to support this system creatively and effectively. We offer our full support for The Episcopalian as it moves forward. "
The Episcopalian, created by the General Convention in 1961, was not funded in the national budget for 1975. The General Convention in 1973 asked the Communication Committee of the Council to consider The Episcopalian along with other options as a vehicle for a church-wide communication system, and to evaluate progress in these efforts at the end of 1974.
Mr. Parks said that The Episcopalian's new president, Hiram W. Neuwoehner of St. Louis, Mo., reported to the committee that circulation has increased from 100,000 to more than 160,000 in the past six months. "Mr. Neuwoehner estimates a circulation of 200,000 by the end of 1975 and 300,000 by the time of General Convention " in September, 1976, Mr. Parks reported.
Ten of the 93 domestic dioceses in the church are now inserting their diocesan news in The Episcopalian, which switched from magazine to tabloid format, with another five expected to adopt "the joint publication plan by the end of 1975." He said that "at least 30 dioceses will be publishing through The Episcopalian by the time of General Convention" in 1976.
Mr. Parks reported that "the estimated financial break-even point will be reached when circulation rises to 325,000. " He added that " any additional funds necessary at this time " for operation of the publication "are being secured from sources outside the General Church Budget. "
Mr. Parks said that the committee is now considering two first-draft papers on communication strategy, one by Mr. Neuwoehner and the other by John C. Goodbody, executive for communication on the staff. He said the committee hopes to present to the Council "by the end of 1975 the draft of an identifiable communication plan" which will be "a pattern to which we can refer. "
The Council adopted a resolution proposed by the Communication Committee which commended "The Church Hymnal Corporation and The Seabury Press for their efforts to provide quality and economy in the publication of prayer books to the considerable benefit and advantage of the entire Church as requested by the General Convention."