Our Stories

SEPA Communications interprets the mission and ministries we share by telling our stories in writing, via web and social media, through video and audio, and other emerging media. We equip communicators in congregations through networking, community, and offering training and consulting for congregational comm teams.

This page is under revision! Look for updated information, guidelines and other helpful information with our NEW website!

SEPA Communications provides a number of communications vehicles and services:

MinistryLink.org, the Synod’s website, which provides news, the event calendar, resource downloads, and more to keep you connected with our Synod’s shared mission. NEW Website in progress! Watch Ministry Link E-mail and social media for more information!
Social Media networking through our SEPA Synod Facebook page and SEPA Synod Instagram page
MinistryLink e-newsletter, our weekly email blasts with the latest on Synod happenings, learning events to enhance your ministry, resources from the ELCA, the seminary and other partners, and other information to help your congregation’s leaders work more effectively. Subscribe now!
Roster updates, occasional emails with special news, continuing education events and other resources for pastors and deacons on our roster.
Communications counsel to the bishop, synodical organization and its programs and committees.
Congregational communications consulting, including conversations about how the changing communications landscape impacts your ability to reach out to your community.
Media relations, our efforts to tell the story of our Church in the public media by building relationships with reporters and editors, issuing news releases and responding to reporters’ inquiries.
Crisis communications consulting for the Synod organization and congregations. If you are faced with a crisis situation that may involve public relations and the media, please contact Bishop Penman or Ms. Yvonne Curtis.

Equipping Congregations for Communications

SEPA Communications staff are available for workshops and presentations for congregation and conference gatherings. Presentations can be tailored to your congregation’s needs. For information contact Pastor Paula Lebo.

Telling your story

If you have a story that may be of interest to the local and regional media, or if you receive a call from a reporter and wish advice, contact Bob at 267.323.3743 or via email.

If you have information that you want to distribute to the synod via MinistryLink.org or an e-newsletter, send the information in writing, at least 4 weeks in advance of when you would like information to be distributed, to us via email.

To help you generate your information, please consult these publicity guidelines. If you have a flyer or registration form you’d like us to consider posting on the website, please send it to this address in Adobe Acrobat PDF or Microsoft Word format only.

To be considered for MinistryLink or the website each item must include a summary paragraph written in the format used in our e-newsletters. For examples visit the archive.

Resources

SEPA Synod Communications YouTube Channel

Pastor Bob’s curated playlist of communications videos