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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2002 |
New communications initiatives provide services for churches
"We're giving away the technology to allow others to communicate using the Internet" -- UMCom
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Members of the United Methodist Church might be surprised at the breadth of the new initiatives and services that are being developed by the denomination's communications agency.
This month, United Methodist Communications (UMCom) will introduce a Web site providing made-for-TV features on faith in action and begin offering highlights of the daily Upper Room devotionals to Web sites.
New ideas were the stars of the April 12-13 Nashville, Tenn. meeting of UMCom's directors, the Commission on Communications. They include:
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A revamped and expanded Web site, www.umc.org.
The site includes almost daily updates on how tensions in the Middle East are affecting Palestinian Christians there, an in-depth news package that explores a current issue in depth, video features and a plethora of other helpful features about the Church and its ministries.
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More communications resources and tools for people and congregations. An improved umcom.org site now offers group e-mail, giving any United Methodist the ability to create and manage an e-mail group on any topic. UMCom particularly hopes people in annual conferences and local churches use the new tool, said Steve Downey, staff executive in charge of the Internet Integration Team. "We're giving away the technology to allow others to communicate using the Internet."
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UMTV -- A public information unit being launched this month will provide faith stories and video features with a positive angle on the Church. "We have hundreds of stories like this in the United Methodist Church," said Ginny Underwood, managing editor of public information. The unit will make UMCom-produced reports available to TV networks via news feeds. UMTV is a Web site that will feature those television stories.
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TechShop is a 24-hour-a-day online store (secure.umcom.org/techshop/) that offers products by Microsoft, Apple, Dell and others. Based on the going retail prices compared with those offered through UMCom, TechShop saved its customers about $4.5 million in 2001, according to the agency.
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Training support to the church at large will be provided by a special unit. UMCom has sharpened its focus on providing communications training in addition to helping local churches become more welcoming and effective through the "Igniting Ministry" advertising campaign.