VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Center for the Study of Church Management at Villanova University here is hosting a workshop for churches embracing technology as a way to stay connected with parishioners.
The Feb. 25 technology summit, “Staying Connected with Parishioners Using Technology,” led by a national panel of experts, is designed to help parishes take advantage of technology throughout all aspects of church life.
“From enhancing parish record-keeping and financial reporting, to using their Web site to provide information to current parishioners and attract new members, to employing social networks to keep connected to all parishioners … parishes are recognizing the value of utilizing technology,” reports the event registration form.
The daylong event will teach best practices on how to apply technology and will provide opportunities to network and share ideas with parishioners from other churches.
The eight presenters are:
· Steve Hewitt, editor of Christian Computing Magazine
· Sr. Susan Wolf, SND, Internet and social media strategist and consultant
· Sr. Caroline Cerveny, SSJ, D.Min., president of Interactive Connections
· Q. Chung, of Villanova’s School of Business
· Paul Jarzembowski, executive director of National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association
· Scott Miller, coordinator for adolescent faith formation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
· Bill Wagner, of Villanova’s School of Business
· Fr. Jeffrey Mickler, SSP, YouTube evangelist
A list of presentation topics and a registration form is available on Villanova’s Web site. The workshop’s fee, $65 for the first registrant and $35 for each additional registrant, includes a continental breakfast, lunch and all seminar materials.
The topics of this workshop are helpful in efficiently delivering the message of parishes and minstries, said HNP communications director Jocelyn Thomas. The Province’s Communications Office has seen the value of e-communications as social networkng tools such as Facebook and Twitter continue to become more popular. As of earlier this week, the Province’s Be A Franciscan Facebook page had nearly 160 “fans,” she said.