Triennial Today, July 12, 2012

Triennial TODAY THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

{Faces at Triennial}

CLOSE UP: Who Attends Triennial?

by Jenny Ladefoged

Hilary Nerby, from the diocese of Ohio, edits a page in her diocesan newsletter. She says that she has never done anything like that before.

When she started they had a standalone newsletter, which she wrote on her computer and her family helped fold and mail. But soon she was able to have a page or so in the diocesan paper—print still, not yet online.

Her president writes a letter each time, but she says that getting the rest of the copy can be difficult. What has worked is in writing up a project and allowing others, rather than one parish, to participate.

She mentioned that publishing two thank you letters, one from a captain of a container ship, the other from a foreign (judging from the English) seaman increased the knitting of scarves many times. They also had a huge success in making dresses for Haiti, and comfort pillows with loose covers. These were given to women after breast surgery, but it was discovered that they were a comfort to both men and women in distress. She

has found that her page keeps women in parishes across the wide diocese keep in touch and spread their missions.

Not only is Hilary a new editor, she also has a weekly Bible study group.

Or, as she said, it started out as a Bible Study, but now it is a discussion group on many subjects, women in the bible, what the sermon said last week and local news. They meet in a women’s home, and can extend to 3 hours.

In fact, a well-rounded ECW woman.

Triennial TODAY would like to thank dedicated roving reporter, Jenny Ladefoged for her tireless efforts and contributions.

Jenny, your unique insights and past Triennial wisdom were invaluble to the production of this publication.

the Distinguished Women of the Church

The Distinguished Woman Award (formerly known as the

Honored Woman Award)* is presented at each Episcopal Church Women’s (ECW) triennial meeting to a woman in the Episcopal Church whose life and involvement in the secular community best reflects “her Christian values.” As part of this time-honored ceremony, diocesan delegates from each province are asked to submit the name of a woman who represents these qualities.

Triennial Today continues its spotlight on honored women from each of the nine

{province spotlight}

HONORING

provinces of the Church. Our final issue focuses on Province IX.

FROM PROVINCE IX: Veronica Flowers, Diocese of Honduras Veronica Flowers, of the Diocese of Hondouras, is a teacher at the Holy Trinity School. Flowers, who has dedicated her life to serving the church, has also studied psychology.

Flores Veronica, de la Diócesis de Hondouras, es un maestro en la Escuela dela Santísima Trinidad. Flores, quien ha dedicado su vida a servir a la iglesia,también ha estudiado la psicología.

Flowers has been suggested as a Distinguised Woman, because she has “fought and sacrificed” do serve the church and done God’s work. She ha not only worked selflessly in her own Diocese of Honduras, but also in the other states of Province IX and in the United States.

Flores ha sido sugerido como una mujer distinguió, porque ha “luchado ysacrificado” no servir a la iglesia y al cabo la obra de Dios. Ella no sólo hatrabajado desinteresadamente en su propia Diócesis de Honduras, sino también en los otros estados de la IX Provincia y en los Estados Unidos.

Flowers sets a good example for those around her, leaving a legacy for future generations.

Flores es un buen ejemplo para aquellos a su alrededor, dejando un legadopara las generaciones futuras.

{Workshop Overview}

GOD’S WEB: Communicating t

by Laura Orcutt, Diocese of Utah

This workshop, lead by Richelle

Thompson, director of communications for the Diocese of Southern Ohio, spoke to the importance of using social media in modern day church communication.

Thompson emphasized that the path of social media is, obviously, not a passing fad. It is relevant.

It is contemporary. It is here…and, the best method to communicate the Gospel. The media tools of today are like stained glass windows in the past…each is a way to tell a story—the successors in the communicating a lineage that began around the primal campfires (and later parchment, radio, and TV) in traditions of bygone days.

“For those who are digital immigrants,” said Thompson,“and, if you

can remember dials on TVs and telephones, you are one, on the TV or phone, you are one, may find some of the new technology not always intuitive.”

She continued: “Those who are digital natives, can easily gravitate toward new technology. These digital natives CAN [simultaneously] text while talking, easily use apps on an iPhone, and easily navigate through a new social media program.”

Thompson is of the opinion that to effectively evangelize in the 21st century, social media on the Internet must be put to use. She recommended Facebook, as it is the most popular social media, and recommends posting as many as five times daily. Posts should be worded in question format, such as: “What are you bringing to St.

the Gospel in the 21st Century Francis Day?” or “Do you sit in the same place at church each Sunday?”

This format draws interest to your site, among people who wish to engage in the “conversation.”

To make the posting process even easier, Thompson recommends using the free program, HootSuite (hootsuite.com).

Other posts, such as upcoming events, can be placed there as well. (Facebook, she said, also provides a means to record the history of an organization’s church with its updated timeline feature.)

Regarding photographing church events: Thompson said that these days, everyone has a camera and enjoys using it. To archive church photos, Thompson suggested using the Picassa program (a photo archiving service gallery, and a great place to save your

church’s photographs). In addition, a link can be added to a church Website, so that the congregation, or promotional committee, can add photos as events happen. Photographs are one of a parish’s best advertising tools — and can be used at the parish’s discretion.

Not only are photos a great promotional tool of a church, but YouTube, and other similar video platforms, are extremely popular. If a contingency in a congregation enjoys digitally recording events, create a YouTube channel. Thompson strongly recommended investing in a $150 Kodak FlipBook camera to be used at parish events, especially the youth.

With the attached USB port, upload the finished product to YouTube. The camera’s program will edit it and put it to music to the video.

Triennial TODAY would like to thank contributing writer, Laura Orcutt, for taking the time each day to write about her Triennial experiences. Laura, you were our “eyes and ears” on the exhibit floor, in the meetings, and at the events we weren’t able to attend. We are eternally grateful.

Changing of the Guard The July 11th Closing Ceremonies of the 47th Triennial Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women saw the commissioning of the 2012--2015 incoming ECW and UTO Board menbers.

The meeting was adjourned until 2015, where the next Triennial will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Triennial TODAY was written, edited, and designed by Rogena Schuyler-Silverman and Cristina Paraiso. To download extended coverage of the 47th Triennial Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women (issues of Triennial Today, photos, transcripts, and other conference literature) please visit us at www.ecwnational.org. It has been our pleasure to serve you.