JourneyOnline
IT MAY only be August but the Synod communications team has been hard at work consulting with as many people as possible to help decide on the 2011 Christmas postcard artwork.
This year the slogan is: Faith Hope Love (but the greatest of these is love).
The back of the card will say “experience Christmas with us” and have a space for congregations to put their Christmas service and event times.
Communications manager, Mardi Lumsden, said this campaign was once again a great opportunity to invite people to connect or reconnect with their local Uniting Church at Christmas.
“Not only does the ‘Faith Hope Love’ concept come from one of the best known bible verses, but it is also part of the Church in Queensland’s Call statement,” she said.
“In the devastating weather events this year we have seen churches supporting their communities and in so many wonderful ways demonstrating faith, hope and love.
“We wanted to celebrate that and remind local communities that the Church is there for them in times of hardship and joy.”
This year’s campaign is a collaboration with the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania so even more people will be invited to
Uniting Church congregations this Christmas.
“The purpose of this campaign is to raise community awareness of the local Uniting Church at Christmas and to offer people a place to connect with the real meaning of Christmas.
“We have been doing Christmas postcards for many years but an awareness campaign like this is a long term strategy and takes years of repetition for people to remember who is behind it and perhaps feel comfortable to act on an invitation.”
Founder of the Christmas postcard campaign, Bruce Mullan, agreed.
“It is unlikely that hundreds of new visitors will arrive at your church this Christmas just because of a postcard in their letterbox, but you can be sure that at least they’ll know you’re there,” he said in 2005.
“This type of campaign is a long term strategy which will build over future years as people continue to receive warm invitations to worship at their local church at key times of the year.”
A starter pack with 3000 postcards and 10 full colour A3 posters is $165 and includes packing and postage to your congregation.
Additional postcards are available at $130 for 3000 (minimum lot) and posters at $10 for packs of 10.
Online registrations will be open from Monday 1 August and closes on Friday 16 September.
Additional resources on the theme will be provided online and will include copies of the artwork for local congregational use, and inclusion in the online list of Christmas service times and locations.
If you have resources or ideas for using this theme and want to share them with the wider church please email journey@ucaqld.com.au.
Final details of event times are needed by Friday 23 September and proofs need to be approved by Friday 30 September 2011.
Register at www.ucaqld.com.au/christmas2011 or for more information email journey@ucaqld.com.au
