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!

Mission Interpretation inserts, reproducible mission stories that you can share in your newsletter or bulletin to help tell the story of how we do more together than we can do ourselves.

Communications counsel to the bishop, synodical organization and its programs and committees.

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 610.278.7339 or .

If you have information that you want to distribute to the synod via MinistryLINK.org or SEPANews, send the information in writing, at least 3 weeks in advance of desired publicity, to us . 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.

Mission Interpretation Staff

Bob Fisher

Related Links

• Synod Communications