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Giving Your Bulletin a Harder Look

2013 March 12
by Diocesan Staff

You hand one to every member and visitor alike. The bulletin is more than this, but it is at least in part a guide to the liturgy, and in part weekly newsletter and in part calling card for your congregation. As we head toward the day your church is likely to receive the highest number of first-time visitors all year, take a look at your bulletin and decide if it’s time to be reworked.

Who is your bulletin for?
Is your bulletin for newcomers or regulars? The answer is, of course, both. So in assessing your bulletin, consider how well it serves these groups. Everyone needs to know the hymns for the day and will enjoy seeing the propers. Visitors will also need some simple directions to help them to know when to sit or stand and who may receive the Eucharist and how.

Your members may want to have an updated prayer list as well as birthdays and anniversaries in the congregation. This will aid their personal prayers and keep them connected to others. Newcomers will need to know contact information for the church and any key leaders. So saying the Soup Kitchen serves this Thursday at 11-1 will help, but a newcomer might take part if the name and email of the person overseeing the ministry is added. Visitors should also see either a listing of the regular activities of the church or some notice about where to find this information.

Are there unintended messages?
Is your bulletin saying anything you don’t mean to say about your church. For example:

  • A generic cover from a church bulletin company, no matter how attractive, does not speak to your congregation’s life. A simple, easy to read and follow bulletin will beat clip art options every day. Your church is not generic and so your bulletin shouldn’t be either.
  • If the bulletin lists only the clergy, or only the staff (both lay and ordained), this could suggest you don’t value the laity.
  • Printing that the ECW and EYC are meeting is great, but what about the visitor who doesn’t know the code. The same with the St. Marys Guild and other in terms. Using terms that only insiders will understand subtly suggests that those who need to know already do and others aren’t really invited.  

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Use the bulletin to connect further

As you should have more information available in other formats, say so in the bulletin. Let people know how to subscribe to the newsletter (whether it is in print or email) and give your web address or your Facebook page address. Make sure those who want to be better connected know how to do so.

What is the next step?
Start collecting bulletins from other Episcopal Churches as well as from other denominations. This can beas easy as asking friends or co-workers for a copy of their church’s bulletin. Consider how these bulletins serve both the members and the newcomers. Look at your bulletin with new eyes and try a redesign. Create several options and ask both members and friends who don’t attend an Episcopal Church to look it over and give some tips. Your bulletin is an important tool both to assist worshippers in taking part in the liturgy and in connecting with members and newcomers alike. It is worth routine assessment to determine whether it is serving your congregation well.

The Rev. Frank Logue
Canon to the Ordinary

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