News

Don't Put Your Eggs in One Basket

This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   Why a CCLI License Leaves Cracks in Your Copyright Coverage It sure would be nice if one license covered everything churches want to do when it comes to using copyrighted material. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and it can leave cracks in your...

Michigan Area Communications Team Announced

Michigan Area Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey today (March 20) announced a comprehensive plan, developed in cooperation with the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences, to enhance and streamline communications in the Michigan Area.  The bishop has named Mark A. Doyal as Director of Communication for the Michigan Area, effective April 1, 2013.  The new director will oversee communications for the Episcopal Office, Detroit Conference and West Michigan Conference and manage an Area...

A Long-time prayer answered

  Editor's note: the following is an editorial by Erik Alsgaard that appears in the March edition of the Michigan Area Reporter.    At long last, my prayers have been answered.   After nearly 30 years of praying, God finally saw fit to make it happen, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.   After first springing the idea on the Detroit Conference Council Director in 1986, finally, this coming July 1, the Michigan Area will have ONE director of communications! &n...

Creative Church Easter Planning Ideas

  This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.    It’s one of those unique years when Easter falls in March (the 31st). Worship and creative leaders have barely caught their breath from Christmas programs, when they must look for inspiration to create programs that help their community experience...

Copyright compliance - Licensing for 2013

  This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   Looking back on Christmas, many worship ministry leaders probably scrambled at the last minute trying to obtain copyright clearances for their programs. In keeping with the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, NOW is an excellent time to get the...

Church Communicator Tweets 3-Year Lectionary Cycle

  In 2009, the Rev. Andrew Schleicher claimed the name @lectionary on Twitter and began tweeting his way through the three-year cycle of scripture lessons. Each week, Schleicher selects excerpts from the following Sunday’s assigned texts and share them with his ever-growing audience.   “I began this discipline three years ago as a way both to share the word of God with others throughout the world, and also to take time during the week to read and ponder the Scripture on...

Why is Church Copyright Compliance Important?

  This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   In addressing the issue of copyright compliance for the Church, CopyrightSolver often speaks with folks who feel that churches should not be concerned with the issue. Some feel that they have enough on their plate already, or mistakenly believe that...

The Simple, Solid Foundation for Copyright Compliance

This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Copyright compliance (just like the building of that magnificent city) is a process that takes time to fully establish in your church’s policies and procedures.   But knowing how to...

Make plans for 'A Different Kind of Christmas'

  "A Different Kind of Christmas" is the theme for the new Advent resources offered through a collaborative effort of Rethink Church at United Methodist Communications and Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio, and the United Methodist Publishing House. Resources A Different Kind of Christmas: Living and Giving LIke Jesus, by the Rev. Mike Slaughter, is the basis for the collection that encourages exploring what it means to be "living and giving like...

'Tis the Season!

This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   Although we’ve just entered the new Fall ministry season, now is the time many churches need to begin planning their Christmas celebration. This month CopyrightSolver addresses ways to keep your Christmas celebration copyright compliant.    The...

Back to School / Back to Ministry

  This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.     As we head into Fall and the “Back to School” season approaches, many churches move into their “Back to Ministry” season.   Your church has hopefully adopted a “Copyright Compliance Commitment” as we...

What Is Your Church's Copyright Compliance Policy?

This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   Do you have one?   Over the past 11 years, CopyrightSolver has worked with thousands of churches and ministries. We have noted how few churches have Copyright Compliance statements in place that clearly spell out to employees and volunteers what is and is not...

Michigan Area Reporter to resume publication

  The Michigan Area Reporter, the print publication that serves the Detroit and West Michigan Conference, will resume publication in August 2012, it was announced today (June 26, 2012) by the Michigan Area Communications Team.   Each church in the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences will receive four complimentary copies of the Reporter, and copies will also be available at the Michigan Area office, each conference office, and each district office. The Reporter will publish...

Keeping summertime ministries copyright compliant

  Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information.   While June turns our hearts to dreams of leisurely vacations, church ministries are busy presenting a broad variety of summer activities. From camping to concerts to VBS programs and mission trips, music is always a key element in most church...

Keep Summertime Attendance Up!

  Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference's Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information. Summer often means low participation rates for many church ministries. Some leave town for vacation destinations. Some—whether traveling or not—may simply “relax” their worship attendance as they slip into those lazy, hazy...

Survey tracks technology use among United Methodists

  While most younger people in the church are immersed in new technology, many older members are also jumping on the bandwagon.  That’s according to a new study conducted by United Methodist Communications that tracks how United Methodists are adopting and using new technology.   The purpose of the United Methodist Emerging Technology Survey was to help determine the need to broaden the use of certain new technologies in order to reach members and seekers. The survey...

Simple Copyright Solutions for Traditional Easter Outreach Celebrations

Holidays are some of the best opportunities churches have for outreach. Although unchurched friends, neighbors and relatives may not be likely to attend services, they are often open to attending these more “entertaining” forms of outreach. Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Parade, Easter Breakfast/Brunch Whether music is played during an Easter egg hunt, featured on a float in an Easter parade or performed as background music for Easter Sunday Brunch, most of these activities will...

Helping to Ensure Your Easter Celebrations Are Copyright Compliant

Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of copyright articles from CopyrightSolver. The conference's Commission on Communications partnered with CopyrightSolver to aid local churches in the complicated world of copyright information. We recently announced our Detroit Conference partnership with CopyrightSolver. In addition to the always-available information on our Detroit Conference landing page (http://www.copyrightsolver.com/detroitumc), we will periodically bring you additional...

Communications Commission partners with CCS to help churches with copyright compliance

  Copyright compliance can be overwhelming for most church leaders. Obtaining proper licenses for compliance is often a confusing, difficult and time-consuming process. With that in mind, the Detroit Conference Commission on Communications is partnering with CopyrightSolver by CCS to provide churches with the answers and resources they need. CopyrightSolver’s goal in this partnership is to make copyrights simple for the churches of the Detroit Conference.   "Helping...

Summer internships for racial/ethnic minority, Central Conference young adults

Persons, ages 18-22, interested in exploring public policy and social justice advocacy will work in U.S. capital.  Deadline to apply for a 2012 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in Washington, D.C., is Feb. 1. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.   Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), the summer internship is for young adults representing...