Communications and Editorial
The committee is
responsible for the setting and maintenance of standards of all publications. It
acts as the Management Board for Reform and is responsible for all media
relations.
Committee Members
Convener: The Revd
Martin Hazell
Secretary: Mrs
Carol Rogers
Ms Julia Wills, Ms
Catherine Lewis-Smith, Mrs Valerie Jenkins, Revd Janet Sutton, Revd Paul Snell,
Revd Martin Whiffin, Mr Richard Lathaen, Mr Ron Sweeney & Mr Philip George
1. Publishing
Since the committee last
reported to General Assembly in 2004, there have been 12 titles published by the
United Reformed Church, in addition to the annual publications of the Prayer
Handbook, the Year Book, the Pocket Diary and the Reports to, and Record of,
General Assembly.These are:
A Study Guide to Being
Biblical by John Campbell and Paul Whittle;
Wholly Worship Too
edited by Rosemary Johnston
A Road to the Garden,
pictures and poems for Lent, by Robert Harvey and Neil Thorogood;
Dancing on Slaves
– a contribution to the Make Poverty History Campaign edited by Geoffrey Duncan
and Martin Hazell;
Shaping Up: Reforming
Reformed Worship by Ernest Marvin
and the first seven
titles in a series on bereavement edited by Tony Tucker:
Ever in my heart
by Sarah Brewerton
Is it alright to
listen to me as well? by Shirley Farrier
Living with
Alzheimer’s disease by Margaret Ashby
Losing a parent by
Susan Durber
Plunged into
bereavement by Graham Long
Walking in the valley
by Elizabeth Kemp and Paul Floe
When a marriage ends
by Sue Wilkinson
In addition one title has
been added to the list of books published under the Granary Press Imprint:
A Knock at the Door
by Colin Evans.
It is anticipated that
there will be several new titles available for the meeting of General Assembly
in 2006.
2. Graphics and
Production
Each title published by
the United Reformed Church involves the skills of the graphic artist and her
assistant. In addition they are responsible for the design and production of all
TLS related material and that of other committees. There has also been
involvement in the production of ecumenical materials. The number of items now
including a CD ROM is increasing.
3. Bookshop including
Books on Line
The bookshop continues to
serve the church, both by mail order and with those calling at Church
House. Bookstalls at synod meetings and other events are regularly supplied by
the bookshop and it is now the main stockist for TLS courses. It is a matter of
satisfaction that titles that are not regularly stocked can usually be obtained
speedily, often from overseas, and that orders are processed quickly. It is also
gratifying that the range of titles carried has received positive comment from
many visitors. The Books on Line service is proving to be popular and staff
endeavour to keep the information on titles available as up to date as
possible. It has never been the intention that the web site should list all the
titles carried by the bookshop, but rather those that are new, or are likely to
be popular together with those that are considered to be essential reading and
appear on various booklists.
The United Reformed
Church is the distributor for the books, cds and tapes published by the New
Zealand Hymn Book Trust.
4. Reform
The magazine continues to
be the most effective method of communication within the church. It is estimated
that there are about 50,000 readers within local congregations, although there
are still a few places where it appears to be unknown. Those who loyally
distribute Reform each month are its great strength and the magazine owes much
to them, but in some places they are also its weakness when dealing with the
monthly distribution becomes a chore rather than a service. Enthusiastic
distributors grow new readers! The regular columns continue to be well
received. The United Reformed Church is grateful to the Congregational and
General Insurance Company for continuing to support the Community Project Awards
which are now a highlight of Reform. Whilst awaiting the appointment of a new
editor Reform is being well served by a number of guest editors. It should be
realised however that the regular appearance of Reform is due in no small part
to the hard work put in by the editorial assistant and part time graphic artist.
5. Website
Whilst the web site is
well received and is kept as up to date as possible it has not continued to
develop as swiftly as the committee would have wished. This is due in part to
lack of staff but there have also been constrictions imposed upon both content
and further development by the insurance company. It is hoped that the site will
be able to be further developed very shortly. It is also planned to use a
section of the site for “on line” publishing for various titles.
6. Press and PR and
Media Relations
As a general rule the
United Reformed Church, whilst receiving coverage at a local level, rarely
attracts the attention of the national press. Most of the work in this area
comes under the heading of crisis management, and means a considerable time
spent in the background in order to be prepared for any possible interest from
the media. One of the main problems encountered by the Media Officer is that the
structures of the church make it difficult for a single person to make a
statement on any subject on behalf of the church without wide consultation, when
what is required by the media is an instant response.
7. Ecumenical
Involvement
a) Roots
The Secretary continues
to be a member of both the board of Roots for Churches Ltd and of the Roots
Management Group, which she presently serves as convener.
b) Church Publishers
Network
The United Reformed
Church is a member of the Church Publishers Network and is represented by the
Secretary for Communications.
c) CTBI Publications
The Secretary is a member
of the (CTBI) Publications Management Group
d) Churches Media
Trust
The United Reformed
Church continues to support the Churches Media Council which seeks ways of
working effectively with the media on behalf of the churches of all main
denominations.
8. A leaflet
on the subject of Church Magazines is in
preparation.
9. The routine work
of Communications includes the entering of data from church returns forms on to
the main data base and dealing with queries on a wide variety of topics
including copyright and data protection.
10. CTV Resolution to
General Assembly 2005
The committee continues
to explore the possibilities of creating a mass communication church.
11. Consultation
In September 2005 a
consultation was held to discuss the future of the work of the Communications
and Editorial Committee. Those who attended included past and present members of
the committee together with others who are involved in communicating the work of
the church at various levels. We are grateful to them for their enthusiasm and
insight. Their discussions form the basis of the report Catch the Vision for the
Future of Communications in the United Reformed Church.
12. Personalia
12.1 The membership of
the committee has changed since the last report in 2004. Revds Martin Truscott,
Bob Maitland, Peter Moth, Mr Peter Knowles, Mrs Melanie Frew and Ms Eleri Evans
have completed their service and the United Reformed Church is grateful to them.
12.2 The Revd David
Lawrence
David Lawrence was
appointed as Editor of Reform and Media Officer in 1995. During the ensuing 11
years the United Reformed Church has been served by and editor who has been able
to ensure that the theological diversity found with the United Reformed Church
has been fully represented in the pages of Reform thanks to his understanding of
many deep and complex issues. The establishing of the Community Project Awards
in partnership with the Congregational and General Insurance Company has been
much appreciated. Local churches have been particularly well served by David in
the editing and production of the Assembly Hotline, which ensures that every
congregation is able to have some sense of sharing in the event. As media
officer David’s work has often meant working quietly in the background dealing
with crisis management. Many have reason to be grateful for his sound and
considered advice. Thanks to his knowledge and enthusiasm the URC website was
set up. He returns to pastoral ministry with our best wishes and profound
gratitude for all that he has done.
12.3 Mrs Carol Rogers
It has been a huge honour
for the present convener of the Committee to work closely with Carol over the
last few years. Her dedication and knowledge is formidable and her presence in
Church House is a given. For nearly two decades she has been ‘Communications’
for a great number of people. She has overseen vast changes and most, if not
all, have been down to her foresight and imagination. Her pride and joy, the
bookshop, has provided an excellent service to probably millions over the years
from those within the United Reformed Church to those from without, including
abroad. Assemblies and Synod Meetings would be incomplete without the provision
of the mobile bookshop – Carol has ensured this specialist service is provided
to as many meetings as possible. In the area of publications, Carol has
developed and maintained the standard that is now taken for granted; she often
challenges others to meet her high benchmark.
12.3.1 She has overseen
the management of Reform, ensuring that the editor and staff are equipped to
bring the best of the United Reformed Church to our members.
12.3.2 However it is her
care, over the years, of the communications staff that is so impressive. The
fact that so many have been part of Church House for nearly as long as Carol; is
witness to the happy relations she has with them all. She has encouraged and
supported each and everyone to play a full part in the work that they do
together. In addition, each year in December, Carol has led a lunchtime concert
of Carols and Christmas Music, rehearsing the choir made up of staff from the
whole of Church House, often from as early as September so that what they sing
on the day is of the highest standard. She plans the concert, plays the piano
and rehearses the choir.
12.3.3 We thank you,
Carol, on behalf of the many who have known and loved you over these many years.
You will be missed hugely. It is truly said that Church House will never be the
same again.
Resolution 18
Leaflet on Church Magazines
General Assembly
commends the leaflet on Church Magazines to all local congregations.
Resolution 19
Review of the Work of the Communications and Editorial Committee
General Assembly
receives and accepts the review carried out by the Communications and Editorial
Committee and instructs it to continue to explore the proposals to:
a) develop an
effective and more professional website
b) appoint a new
editor to work with an editorial board to oversee the final months of Reform and
to develop a new URC journal
c) develop new ways
of improving the bookshop service
d) concentrate on
publications of a worship/spiritual nature
e) explore ways of
providing a professional Press Office service to deal with the media at national
and local levels
f) explore and
develop new ways of promoting the role of the United Reformed Church in
extending Christ’s kingdom to the world.
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