Communications :: (n.) The art and technique of using words, images and metaphors effectively to impart information or ideas and influence behavior.
The role of the Office of Mission Interpretation / Communications is to tell the story of the ministry we share as the people, congregations and leaders of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and to empower congregations and leaders to communicate the Gospel via multimedia, Internet, print and other media.
Telling God's story... and ours
Mission Interpretation provides a number of communications vehicles and services:
MinistryLink.org, the Synod's website, which provides news, the event calendar, resource downloads, and more to keep you connected with our Synod's shared mission.
SEPANews updates, our regular email blasts with the latest on Synod happenings, learning events to enhance your ministry, resources from the ELCA, the seminary and other partners, and other information to help your congregation's leaders work more effectively. Subscribe now!
Roster updates, occasional emails with special news, continuing education events and other resources for pastors, diaconal ministers, deaconesses and associates in ministry on our roster. Subscribe now!
Communications counsel to the bishop, synodical organization and its programs and committees.
Congregational communications consulting, including conversations about how the changing communications landscape impacts your ability to reach out to your community.
Media relations, our efforts to tell the story of our Church in the public media by building relationships with reporters and editors, issuing news releases and responding to reporters' inquiries.
Ministry technology, including audiovisual and new media support for Synod programs and events (including Assembly, conference gatherings, FLY, etc.); consulting about audiovisual installations and the use of media in worship; and the use of the internet and social networking in ministry.
Special purpose networks such as our networks for Council Presidents/Vice Presidents and for Stewardship leaders.
Crisis communications consulting for the Synod organization and congregations. If you are faced with a crisis situation that may involve public relations and the media, please contact Bob Fisher as soon as possible.
Telling your story
If you have a story that may be of interest to the local and regional media, or if you receive a call from a reporter and wish advice, contact Bob at 267.323.3743 or . If you have a flyer or registration form you'd like us to consider posting on the website, please send it to this address in Adobe Acrobat PDF or Microsoft Word format only.
To be considered for SEPANews or the website each item must include a summary paragraph written in the format used in SEPANews. For examples visit the SEPANews Archive website.
Communications Staff
Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop for Mission Interpretation
Bob manages communications, including our Synod's website, Internet news, videos, newsletter and media relations. He coordinates our local cohort in the "emerging-missional church" conversation. Contact Bob with stories of your congregation's newsworthy activities or for consultation with worship media, emerging worship, outreach, and crisis communications issues.
Bob is married to Suzanne, a musician and teacher, and father to Wynne and Leah. He enjoys museums, singing and playing percussion in a band, exploring new music and films, geeking out with Mac and Windows computers, and discussing theology over a good Belgian beer.
Contact: 267.323.3743 |
Cynta Outterbridge
Communications Assistant and Database Manager
Mrs. Outterbridge handles day-to-day updates to the synod website, www.ministrylink.org, and compiles the bi-weekly SEPANews e-mail updates. She also manages the synod databases of rostered leaders, congregations, congregational contacts and other constituents. Contact her with changes to your contact information. She also is assistant to Mr. Fisher and provides computer support for Synod staff.
Contact: 267.323.3742 |
Upcoming Related Events
Related News
Taste and See! at SEPA Fall Gatherings
Join fellow Lutherans for a tasting of ways to form faith, put faith into action, communicate your story and equip people for discipleship (FACE). The 2010 series of fall conference gatherings feature a full menu of experiences that you can take back to your congregation to kick your discipleship program up a notch or two. This year there will be three gatherings, each held on Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 7 pm: Oct. 10 – St. Luke, Devon; Oct. 17 – Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Brossman Center; and Oct. 24 – Trinity, Lansdale. Click the image to read more.
Join the Bishop in supporting Child Nutrition
"We cannot afford to let our children go hungry," Bishop Claire S. Burkat writes in a letter to the Synod urging Lutherans to make their voices heard in support of the administration's proposal to increase support of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act by $10 billion over 10 years. A sizeable percentage of school age children in our region -- from 17% in Chester County to 76% in Philadelphia -- receive free or reduced price lunches. "Nobody is in favor of kids going hungry. This isn’t a partisan issue. But it is an issue that needs advocates," the bishop writes. Click the headline to read the entire message.
Help LWR fill the well
Water affects every aspect of life. Without clean, reliable sources of water, farmers can't grow crops to sell and feed their families. Women and children must often travel several miles each day to collect water, taking precious time from work and school. With your help, Lutheran World Relief (http://www.lwr.org) can continue to make sure families have the life-sustaining water they need now and well into the future. Fill the Well today. Click on the image to watch LWR's new water video.
Partner synod bishop steps down
The Rev. Stephen G. Marsh, bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod, our domestic partner synod, informed the synod June 25 that he is resigning as bishop effective June 28. Marsh said he is "personally dealing with a number of emotional health issues, including addiction issues" and must enter an inpatient treatment facility.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls Oil Spill in Gulf 'Heartbreaking'
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is "heartbreaking and infuriating," ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson wrote in a pastoral letter June 28. "(W)e grieve that the natural beauty of this region, a sign of God's marvelous creativity, has been defiled," the bishop wrote, noting that anger over the spill must be tempered with recognition of "the responsibility we all share" as consumers and investors. "An honest accounting of what happened...must include our own repentence," the bishop wrote.
Synod News
Join the LDR ReadyChurch initiative
With the hurricane season in full swing and ongoing disaster responses in more than half of the U.S., there is no better time than now to think about how prepared (or not) we are for natural disasters. Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for everyone to prepare ourselves for the possibility that a disaster could affect you.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
On a recent morning walk I reflected upon familiar words from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV). As I walked, I prayed and pondered about this time in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is my prayer that we use this time for discerning and engaging; for repenting and reconciling; for restraint but not timidity; and for rejoicing. A Time for Discerning and Engaging Throughout the ELCA I hear people asking, "Is my voice heard? Will my voice be respected as we seek together to discern God's purpose for us?" The answer is yes. Nevertheless, people of deep faith and a desire to be part of this church wonder: Do we mean it when we say we can preach, teach and hold divergent views on sexuality and be full participants in the ELCA's life and witness? Again, the answer is yes.