Now down to business...
Unless you were an English major, there is a plethora of grammar rules that you probably don't know or understand very well. Even if you were an English major, if that seems like eons ago, the rules you do know may be outdated.
If you're looking for a quick way to get regular grammar tips from someone who has managed to make the topic interesting (at least interesting enough to gain it a 47th rank for most popular podcast from Apple's iTunes as of today, January 22, 2007), check out Grammar Girl:
http://grammar.qdnow.com/
There is a saying relating to newspapers that news is what is printed on the back of advertisements. Newspapers exist to sell advertising space (that is, after all, how they make money). To do that, they need to create something - news stories - that will bring in an audience for them to sell to their advertisers. It doesn't matter who thinks a story is important, if there isn't space, it doesn't get in.
The purpose of a congregation's newsletter is similar, though there aren't usually ads and we don't talk about it in terms of money. You are still "selling" your congregation and its ministries to your members, keeping them informed in a positive way so that they can see the good work that is being done through your church.
Start thinking of your newsletter with a business mindset. What information needs to be there to inform your readers? This usually includes upcoming events, special collections, etc. Include short blurbs on exciting things that happened recently so people know what good work has already been done. Most pastors write a column for the newsletter, and that is ok. This can demonstrate/remind readers that their pastor has good things to say. Don't let your pastor get so long-winded that you run out of space for other important stuff or that your readers think it can substitute for a weekly sermon, though. If you are the newsletter editor, that is your job and you should have the authority to limit pastors (and other people in the congregation) to a set amount of words or space. Having trouble with that? Put it in a written policy and make sure to include a line about your editorial power!
Need more help with writing a communication policy? Come to the Jan. 18 Communicators' meeting at Little Cedar Lutheran Church, Adams, MN! (RSVP by the end of the day Fri., Jan. 12)
Occasionally the people that I refer to as "congregation communicators" are in job positions that their congregations see as a person to answer the phone and let's give them some jobs to do while they're sitting there. My hope is to get rid of that perception of the secretary-type jobs.
One important part of all ministry positions (and yes, your job is a ministry position) is continuing education. No matter how much you know, you don't know everything. No matter how much your congregation insists that you do your job well enough, you can do it better. I see excellent work being done when I read your newsletters and use your websites, but change and improvement keep a person's work high-quality and keeps it fun for you too.
If you need help convincing your council to let you out of the office, show them the synod Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines. On page 10 of the 2007 guidelines you will find the following on continuing education for Lay Professionals:
"Continuing education time should be provided for associates in ministry/lay professionals for updating skills and for professional growth in order to strengthen their ministries. This time should be considered as necessary for improving and building ministry - it is not vacation time. It is recommended that a minimum of two weeks (which may include weekends) and $600 be granted annually accumulative up to three years. The ELCA expects a minimum of 50 contact hours annually in continuing education. A contact hour is defined as a typical 50-minute classroom instructional session or the equivalent."
Keep in mind that this is for full-time staff, if you are partial time, it would be adjusted accordingly.
Can't get away from the office? There are probably retired people, high schoolers in the summer or during school breaks, and stay-at-home parents who would love to help you out. Catch up on the bulletin, newsletter, etc. ahead of time and leave them instructions for answering the phones and taking care of visitors.
If you can't find anyone, consider taking an online course. You could then do your continuing education from your desk.
Looking for continuing edcuation opportunities? The 2007 schedule for the communicators' meetings is now available!
