Communicating in the 21st CenturyEasy Ways to Use the Internet for

Adult Faith Formation

Terri MiyamotoChurch of St. Clare, Staten Island

Thought for the Day

Faith Sharing that fits life

Reflection on scripture

Web site

Telephone

E-Mail

?

First Things FirstYou need someone(s) with

• Time

• Organization

• Communication

And a connection to the internet!

Here’s My Caveat!

• These are what we use

• Would we choose the same today?

• You need to look at your needs

On the Other Hand:

• Most are inexpensive

• Easy to get out of if it doesn’t work!

Parish Bulletin

Goal: “the best weekly newspaper available”

• Each ministry responsible for its page

• Common templates and standards

• Results• Better organization• More depth and continuity• Calendar

Parish Web Site

Creating a web site

• You Need a Host!

• We use Truepath Christian Web Hosting• Web builder• Templates• Email accounts• Backup and security• Begins at $4.95/month• To $15.95/month (big)

What’s on the Web Site?

• Calendar and Announcements• Articles—current issues of interest• Links to sites for prayer• Links to catechetical sites• Photos!• Question of the Week• Thought for the Day• Faith Formation Process & Results

Clip Art: for Fun

Your own photos when you can, but when you can’t:

• Microsoft clip art• Google image search• ChurchArtPro $14/month• Drawings (color and b&w)• Photos• Cartoons• Bulletin covers• Monthly newsletter tips

Google Image Search

ChurchArt Search

ChurchArt Search Results

Newsletters and Announcements

• Proactively reaching out

• Drive traffic to web site

• Create interest

• Constant Contact• Newsletter templates• E-Mail lists• Scheduled mailings• Reports of results• $15/month (500 addresses)

Mailing ListsYou don’t want to be the one keeping

email addresses!

So, let parishioners enter their own

• Link on web page

• Reminders everywhere you can• Registrations• Meetings• School, Religious Education• Bulletin

• But you’ll have manual entry

terrianne@myemail.com

Webcasts

More Than You’ll Be Able to Use

On-Line Calendar

Calendar Detail

Link to your web site

Invitations

Send yourself a reminder

Telephone Messages

• Answering machine on a direct line

• VoiceNation• Local number• $8.95 per month

But Why?

• 73% of American adults use the internet

• Related to spiritual/religious activity: 64% of internet users

• Internet helped with major decision or event: 45% of users

• Networked, not hierarchical communication structures

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project www.pewinternet.org

New Evangelization

I am a recent recipient of the thought for the day. I enjoy reading them and look forward to them everyday. I particularly enjoy the writings from Jane Doe. I truly connect with her writings. I print her "thoughts" and I share them with my husband and other family members. The thoughts of the day keep me focused and her writings make a particularly positive effect. Thank you Jane and thank you St Clare's for such a wonderful program. Everyone's efforts are appreciated.

Looking Ahead

• Blogs

• On-line communities

• Bulletin Board

• Prayer Requests

• Podcasts

• Who knows?

More?

• www.TerriMiyamoto.com• This presentation• Links to all web sites

• Questions?