Communication Workshop Brings Wide Spectrum
Episcopal News Service. February 24, 1983 [83040]
Dick Snyder, Editor of The Desert Churchman
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (DPS, Feb. 24) -- Improving communication at several levels was the goal of Coalition-14 communicators, program executives and bishops who gathered at the Franciscan Retreat Center here in early February.
The conference was funded by a grant from Venture in Mission, which had also funded a communications survey reviewed by the participants.
The survey, which had the support of all Coalition bishops, was participated in by two-thirds of those bishops, 31 percent of the clergy and two percent of the laity.
The poll indicated the bishop is usually the major source of information within a diocese, with clergy obtaining information at diocesan meetings and the laity from parish newsletters.
In comments during the conference, Margaret H. Andersen, associate communication officer at the Episcopal Church Center said one response to the survey will be "to figure out where our barriers are."
She added the results are "alarming because they indicate a lack of communication. It suggests communication is not being taken seriously."
Andersen coordinated the conference. She has been associated with the Coalition since its inception.
The Rev. Canon Richard J. Anderson, executive for communication at the Center said he wished "more Episcopalians would realize that communications is rooted in the Gospel, that each Christian would perceive him or herself as a communicator."
He added that effective use of printed media, including diocesan newspapers and newsletters and parish bulletins "can be produced better, with better graphics, at rock-bottom prices.
"Effective communication depends upon the desire for effective communication by the leadership," he commented. "Leaders should support those to whom communication duties are assigned."
Another speaker was the Rev. Miles O'Brien Riley, director of the office of information for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.
In an animated presentation, which included video taping spontaneous interviews with the bishops, Riley gave practical advice for preparing for interviews.
"We (the Church) are most newsworthy when we are Christ-like," he said.
Practical advice on the use of video in communication was given by Sonia Francis, radio and television officer at the Episcopal Church Center and by the Rev. Jon Paul Davidson, an Episcopal priest and owner of his own production firm, Tri-Video Productions, Incline Village, Nev.
Frances provided instances of video effectively used, and Davidson offered information about equipment currently available and the advice to consider the sender, the message, and the target in all communications.
The presentations were followed by discussion on instances where use of video would be helpful in communication within a diocese and to the general public.
Linda Bee Massey, editor of The Prairie Spirit, diocesan newspaper for the Diocese of Western Kansas, presented a brief workshop on publications.
Participants viewed television advertisements prepared by several diocese from around the country and listened to radio tapes prepared by the Diocese of San Joaquin. The radio tapes were presented by the Rev. Donald A. Seeks, chairman of the San Joaquin communications commission.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the Rt. Rev. John F. Ashby, bishop of Western Kansas, put communication in a Gospel perspective.
The writers of the Gospels, he said, were men of different backgrounds, education, and traditions. The common thread, in terms of communication, was that each said, in effect, "In light of what my world is like, how am I going to tell the story," said Ashby.
He said he believes communication is being taken seriously; "we are just doing it badly."
He added that "the ministry of communication is an honest-to-God ministry."
Participants agreed the session was helpful and expressed interest in another C-14 communications meeting centering on the printed media.
Bishops attending were Joseph T. Heistand of Arizona, William C. Wantland of Eau Claire, David B. Birney of Idaho, Jackson E. Gilliam of Montana, Harold Hopkins of North Dakota, Thomas K. Ray of Northern Michigan, R. M. Trelease Jr. of Rio Grande, Victor M. Rivera of San Joaquin, Bob G. Jones of Wyoming, and Ashby.