Update on Communications Practices at Brighton First

The Communications Task Force, formed as part of Brighton First’s strategic plan, has completed its work and submitted a report to the Administrative Board for approval in August. The Communications Team was tasked with reviewing  communication practices at Brighton First and creating  policy and guidelines.

Key recommendations from the Communications Task Force include:

• Continue to use the current Brighton First logo in publications. After consulting with Mark Doyle, the director of communications for the Michigan Area United Methodist Church, the team determined that our current logo is most effective for our context. 

• Completely update the website by November 2017. The communication goal is that the website be the primary source for information for both visitors and regular attenders at Brighton First. Over the last year, we have made improvements, providing more information. The website will be redesigned to reflect current trends and enhanced usability.

• Change the format and frequency of Brighton First's newsletter. The newsletter in its current format will end in September, and we will send five mailings per year with an emphasis on our vision and mission as a church. The revised newsletter will accompany Christmas and Easter letters, as well as three giving statement mailings. Church members will continue to receive news of upcoming events through the worship bulletin, weekly e-news, Facebook and the website. For those who do not attend church and/or rely on the newsletter for information, we will mail bulletins (which contain letters from Pastor Sherry and news of upcoming events) monthly.

• Provide a concise description of communications channels that church groups may use to get their news and announcements out. This information is included in the Policy and Guideline document that will be available on line by mid-August.

We are grateful for the work of Joanne Schmidt, Terry Keefe, Alyssa Tumolo and Rev. Sherry Parker-Lewis, who worked over several months to create the communications guidelines. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Sherry.

Update on Communications Practices at Brighton First

The Communications Task Force, formed as part of Brighton First’s strategic plan, has completed its work and submitted a report to the Administrative Board for approval in August. The Communications Team was tasked with reviewing  communication practices at Brighton First and creating  policy and guidelines.

Key recommendations from the Communications Task Force include:

• Continue to use the current Brighton First logo in publications. After consulting with Mark Doyle, the director of communications for the Michigan Area United Methodist Church, the team determined that our current logo is most effective for our context. 

• Completely update the website by November 2017. The communication goal is that the website be the primary source for information for both visitors and regular attenders at Brighton First. Over the last year, we have made improvements, providing more information. The website will be redesigned to reflect current trends and enhanced usability.

• Change the format and frequency of Brighton First's newsletter. The newsletter in its current format will end in September, and we will send five mailings per year with an emphasis on our vision and mission as a church. The revised newsletter will accompany Christmas and Easter letters, as well as three giving statement mailings. Church members will continue to receive news of upcoming events through the worship bulletin, weekly e-news, Facebook and the website. For those who do not attend church and/or rely on the newsletter for information, we will mail bulletins (which contain letters from Pastor Sherry and news of upcoming events) monthly.

• Provide a concise description of communications channels that church groups may use to get their news and announcements out. This information is included in the Policy and Guideline document that will be available on line by mid-August.

We are grateful for the work of Joanne Schmidt, Terry Keefe, Alyssa Tumolo and Rev. Sherry Parker-Lewis, who worked over several months to create the communications guidelines. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Sherry.

Improving Communications at Brighton First

As part of the strategic plan set out by the Administrative Board of Brighton First, the Communications Team is creating policy and practices for effective communications. This includes communications within our church and with the general public.

Primary areas being discussed are website and social media presence, consistency in name and logo use, and excellence in print media. Church leaders will have guidelines for submitting news and announcements in the media sources that Brighton First uses including: bulletins, worship screen images, web site, Facebook, fliers, postcards and posters.

The Communications Team is currently discussing changes to the newsletter. This publication, which appears 9 - 10 times per years is both mailed and emailed to church members. Changes could include reducing the number of newsletter issues per year or replacing the newsletter with monthly mailed bulletins to those who cannot attend worship. The bulletins contain much of the same information found in monthly newsletters.

The biggest shift in communication practice will be a more active web site. After consulting with the communications director of the Detroit Annual Conference, Mark Doyle, the team has determined that all announcements and activities from Brighton First will be available on the web site. Best practices of dynamic churches included directing both congregation members and those seeking a new church home toward the church's web site. 

Brighton First's web site, currently being redeveloped, will eventually include sign ups and links for people to pay for events and give to mission projects on line through debit card, credit card or Pay Pal.

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis.

Improving Communications at Brighton First

As part of the strategic plan set out by the Administrative Board of Brighton First, the Communications Team is creating policy and practices for effective communications. This includes communications within our church and with the general public.

Primary areas being discussed are website and social media presence, consistency in name and logo use, and excellence in print media. Church leaders will have guidelines for submitting news and announcements in the media sources that Brighton First uses including: bulletins, worship screen images, web site, Facebook, fliers, postcards and posters.

The Communications Team is currently discussing changes to the newsletter. This publication, which appears 9 - 10 times per years is both mailed and emailed to church members. Changes could include reducing the number of newsletter issues per year or replacing the newsletter with monthly mailed bulletins to those who cannot attend worship. The bulletins contain much of the same information found in monthly newsletters.

The biggest shift in communication practice will be a more active web site. After consulting with the communications director of the Detroit Annual Conference, Mark Doyle, the team has determined that all announcements and activities from Brighton First will be available on the web site. Best practices of dynamic churches included directing both congregation members and those seeking a new church home toward the church's web site. 

Brighton First's web site, currently being redeveloped, will eventually include sign ups and links for people to pay for events and give to mission projects on line through debit card, credit card or Pay Pal.

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis.

Brighton First Newsletter, Expression of Discipleship

Brighton First welcomes Laurie Titlow as our new Brighton First Newsletter editor. The newsletter contains a summary of upcoming ministries, as well as articles from Brighton staff and members. (The newsletter is sent to the Brighton First community 10 times per year by email or by mail.)

Laurie has chosen to make editing the newsletter part of her ministry. At Brighton First we believe that disciples of Christ are active in the Body of Christ (the church), seeking to become more like Jesus and joining Jesus in ministry. Laurie has chosen to use her gifts and talents in the ministry of communication.

A note from Laurie:

I am pleased to be a part of Brighton First and help in the preparation of the Newsletter. I have attended Brighton First for about 5 years. I first came to this church probably 20 years ago when my neighbor Jane Lange invited me.  She has since passed, but, she radiated excitement for this church. 

Church member Carol Davis asked me join the United Methodist Women's (U.M.W.) Sarah Lewis Circle about 5 years ago and I have been here ever since! I had to leave the group when I got a job at the University of Michigan (this is hard for me because I am Michigan State Fan, please keep it a secret).  

Prior to working for the University of Michigan, I worked for 12 years with Dr. Harry Davis (whom I loved).  I helped with a small part of VINA Dental Clinic development, whatever he would ask me to research information. It was exciting to be a part of that and I was the original person who initiated setting up all the patients into the VINA data program.  Once it was up and running I would continue to volunteer there.  

Working for a dental office enabled me to get free toothpaste through the internet. The free toothpaste went to the clinic and Gleaners. It has been a blessing to be a part of VINA and work with a lot of special doctors and people who volunteer there. Those wonderful church volunteers were one of the reasons I came to this church! 

I am married with 2 daughters and 2 step children. My husband and I are empty nesters right now. But, you never know when any one of them might come home to live.  I am so blessed to be able to help them. 

Please feel free to email me with news (laurie@brightonfumc.org).  I would love to hear about a church event you attended with pictures and your experiences there. Maybe it is not an event, but, just life around the church, or maybe it is a story about what a special person did to help you out in a situation....those heartwarming stories of our love to one another are special and should be shared. I also would love to hear your ideas on how you reach out and show God's love. Sharing those ideas starts a chain reaction for our readers. 

Brighton First Newsletter, Expression of Discipleship

Brighton First welcomes Laurie Titlow as our new Brighton First Newsletter editor. The newsletter contains a summary of upcoming ministries, as well as articles from Brighton staff and members. (The newsletter is sent to the Brighton First community 10 times per year by email or by mail.)

Laurie has chosen to make editing the newsletter part of her ministry. At Brighton First we believe that disciples of Christ are active in the Body of Christ (the church), seeking to become more like Jesus and joining Jesus in ministry. Laurie has chosen to use her gifts and talents in the ministry of communication.

A note from Laurie:

I am pleased to be a part of Brighton First and help in the preparation of the Newsletter. I have attended Brighton First for about 5 years. I first came to this church probably 20 years ago when my neighbor Jane Lange invited me.  She has since passed, but, she radiated excitement for this church. 

Church member Carol Davis asked me join the United Methodist Women's (U.M.W.) Sarah Lewis Circle about 5 years ago and I have been here ever since! I had to leave the group when I got a job at the University of Michigan (this is hard for me because I am Michigan State Fan, please keep it a secret).  

Prior to working for the University of Michigan, I worked for 12 years with Dr. Harry Davis (whom I loved).  I helped with a small part of VINA Dental Clinic development, whatever he would ask me to research information. It was exciting to be a part of that and I was the original person who initiated setting up all the patients into the VINA data program.  Once it was up and running I would continue to volunteer there.  

Working for a dental office enabled me to get free toothpaste through the internet. The free toothpaste went to the clinic and Gleaners. It has been a blessing to be a part of VINA and work with a lot of special doctors and people who volunteer there. Those wonderful church volunteers were one of the reasons I came to this church! 

I am married with 2 daughters and 2 step children. My husband and I are empty nesters right now. But, you never know when any one of them might come home to live.  I am so blessed to be able to help them. 

Please feel free to email me with news (laurie@brightonfumc.org).  I would love to hear about a church event you attended with pictures and your experiences there. Maybe it is not an event, but, just life around the church, or maybe it is a story about what a special person did to help you out in a situation....those heartwarming stories of our love to one another are special and should be shared. I also would love to hear your ideas on how you reach out and show God's love. Sharing those ideas starts a chain reaction for our readers. 

Improving Communication at Brighton First

"I didn't know about it." "Who made that decision?" "How long have we been doing that?" These are questions that I've heard concerning events, on-going programs, mission efforts that I've heard from congregation members at Brighton First. On Tuesday evening of this week, Brighton First's Administrative Board (the governing body of the church), determined that members of the congregation need more information concerning the direction of the church, its mission and ministries.

In an effort to assist church leaders in sharing information, the church staff is compiling a directory of communication avenues, including who to contact, who is reached by each form of communication and format for communicating. The directory includes directions for submitting weekly announcements and monthly newsletter articles, as well as submitting announcements for the church's Facebook page and website. There are also directions for creating fliers, posters and mailings.

Church leaders, those who are leading programs, mission events and special gatherings now have directions and assistance for reaching the congregation and the community with news and information.

Part of feeling connected at Brighton First is knowing what the church is doing!

Improving Communication at Brighton First

"I didn't know about it." "Who made that decision?" "How long have we been doing that?" These are questions that I've heard concerning events, on-going programs, mission efforts that I've heard from congregation members at Brighton First. On Tuesday evening of this week, Brighton First's Administrative Board (the governing body of the church), determined that members of the congregation need more information concerning the direction of the church, its mission and ministries.

In an effort to assist church leaders in sharing information, the church staff is compiling a directory of communication avenues, including who to contact, who is reached by each form of communication and format for communicating. The directory includes directions for submitting weekly announcements and monthly newsletter articles, as well as submitting announcements for the church's Facebook page and website. There are also directions for creating fliers, posters and mailings.

Church leaders, those who are leading programs, mission events and special gatherings now have directions and assistance for reaching the congregation and the community with news and information.

Part of feeling connected at Brighton First is knowing what the church is doing!