What Can United Methodist Communications Do For You? Wortechologies Christian Information

July 13, 2010

SUMMARY: United Methodist Communications (UMCom) provides communication resources, services and consultation to local churches and annual conferences. Need a program calendar? Computer software? Video for Sunday school? UMCOM has you covered. We can provide you with all the news, materials and resources you need to lead effective ministry.   

Many of the following services, consultation and resources are either free or heavily discounted.

Services

Marketing and Communications Support

• Knowledge center on UMCom.org will help you learn about Rethink Church, welcoming and other important marketing and communications vehicles. One of best resources available is a tool to help churches develop a marketing plan. Church Marketing Plan is a 5-step tutorial that helps leaders explore and celebrate their church's unique role in the community. Once completed, your church will have a comprehensive marketing plan that helps people effectively spread the love of Jesus Christ locally and globally. One of the many great resources we offer in the tutorial is free demographic reports. To get your community's report, send an e-mail request to Chuck Niedringhaus, director of strategic marketing at United Methodist Communications. 

Resources

• Support center on UMCom.org supports many areas of church ministry. It gives you access to a vast library of audio, images and pdf downloads related to Rethink Church, welcoming, funding missions and more.
  
• Online and live training: United Methodist Communications offers many face-to-face, online and do-it-yourself training opportunities to help you be an effective church leader.  
  
• Rethink Church serves as a catalyst to move the denomination, and those we hope to reach, into dialogue -- and, ultimately, into transformative, collaborative action. Find scriptures, ideas, and new ministry tools for your church here.

Community event support and grants

• Impact Community (formerly Matching Grants) offers partnership grants for media and marketing to United Methodist districts, conferences and clustered churches who will engage with their community in outreach ministry events.

Support for Promotion of Giving

• Connectional Giving provides resources that educate congregations on apportioned funds, special Sundays and The Advance. These include Mission Moments and More, downloadable resources, photos, logos, sermon starters and presentation materials. All these items are free. Order online at www.umcgiving.org or by calling toll-free (888) 346-3862. See the effects of Connectional Giving at youtube.com/umcgiving.  Contact us via e-mail, and we will be happy to assist you.

News and Information

• UMC.org is the official online ministry of The United Methodist Church. UMCom created this online expression of faith to share the message of Christ's love with people throughout the world. 
  
• United Methodist News Service is the official news agency of The United Methodist Church. Stay current with what the denomination is doing in the world. Subscribe to the daily e-newsletter here.
  
• InfoServ is the official information service of The United Methodist Church and your connection to the worldwide United Methodist Church.  Ask InfoServ Now any question you have about The United Methodist Church.

Production Services

• United Methodist Productions can help you take your ideas from the drawing board to the video screen! Professional writers and producers, along with experienced video crews and editors, are ready to work with you to create the best program for your budget. For more information, call your annual conference communicator to get started. You can also call the Production Team at (800) 476-7766 for immediate assistance.

Products

Program Calendars

• 2011 United Methodist Program Calendar is complete with a monthly planning list, lectionary readings, liturgical dates and colors, and other important information for local church pastors and leaders. 

Technology Products

• TechShop provides churches with the latest software from Microsoft, Adobe and other leading suppliers at deeply discounted prices.  The service also links churches with companies, like Apple and Dell, that provide computer hardware at more modest discounts. 

Small Group Resources

• EcuFilm provides the latest in DVDs suitable for small group studies and Sunday school.  All are pre-screened for quality and appropriateness.

Publications:

• Interpreter is the award-winning ministry magazine for lay and clergy leaders in local United Methodist churches across the United States. Articles in the magazine connect you to God, other United Methodist leaders, and ideas and resources to use in your ministry. Additional web-exclusive articles are at Interpreter OnLine. Each congregation is entitled to order 10 subscriptions for leaders provided through the World Service Fund. Individual subscriptions are also available. Call (888) 346-3862 for assistance.
  
• El Intérprete is UMCom's Spanish-language magazine. Each Hispanic/Latino faith community receives 10 copies. Individual subscriptions are also available. News and information of interest to Hispanic/Latino United Methodists is updated regularly on the Spanish portal of UMC.org. Call (888) 346-3862 for assistance.
  
• United Methodists In Service is the official Korean-language program journal of The United Methodist Church. Each Korean congregation receives 10 copies. Individual subscriptions are also available. News and information of interest to Korean United Methodists is updated regularly on the Korean portal of UMC.org. Call (888) 346-3862 for assistance.
  
• MyCom is what you're reading right now! Check out the current issue online. If you dig, subscribe now to receive this monthly communications e-newsletter.