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Membership Stories
Why join Episcopal Communicators? Chapter Two
Friends,
Since my first Episcopal Communicators conference at the Claggett Center in 2015, there’s one word that comes to mind when I think about this group: community. Although we come from different parts of the country, have different professional journeys, and work in very different settings, we are all joined by a common love for Christ and the Church. More specifically, we’re joined by our desire to use our talents as communicators to spread the Good News to friends and neighbors. I’ve found Episcopal Communicators to be a valuable support in my own professional journey when I moved from the parish to the organizational level in 2017. Much like board member Alli Gannett shared a few weeks ago, the impact of the advice I’ve received over the years is incalculable and the support of the friends I’ve made is invaluable. I know many of you feel the same way. We are, as Shakespeare noted, a “happy few,” and I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and share with you all.
Now, as a board member, I invite you to reaffirm your membership in our community by renewing before Friday, December 31, 2021. As you know, membership comes with several benefits, including discounted rates for the annual conference (we will meet in Savannah by the grace of God!), as well as access to the EC-Talk email list and virtual events. But most importantly, your membership is what makes our community possible.
Please let me know if I can answer any questions you may have. If you've already renewed: thank you! I look forward to seeing you in 2022.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Elizabeth Panox-Leach
Member, Episcopal Communicators Board of Directors (2021-24)
Communications Manager, Virginia Theological Seminary
Why join Episcopal Communicators?
In 2016, I joined the staff of The Episcopal Church in Connecticut. One of the first conversations I had with my then-supervisor was about joining Episcopal Communicators and attending their annual conference. My supervisor had been in her role as Canon for Communications for almost 30 years and had seen the field of Episcopal and diocesan communications change over time. She was particularly firm on making sure I had a strong support system of other communicators and valued the EC community.
My first conference was at Kanuga in 2018. While I found the workshops and pre-conference intensives helpful and informative, the most rewarding aspect of the conference was the networking and collegiality that comes when a group of individuals who do similar work in similar contexts gathers in one place. It is comforting and inspiring to be with others who understand your unique frustrations, challenges, successes, and ideas. It felt good to know I was not alone.
I have now been a member of Episcopal Communicators for five years and intend to stay a member for as long as I am in this profession. It has been an honor to serve on the board for the last two years and help shape the organization with other inspiring and delightful communicators. This organization has provided me with professional development, skill-building, and networking opportunities; however, the most important thing this organization has provided me with was a group of individuals to serve as sounding boards. I have a small, trusted group of people to whom I text ideas, frustrations, curiosities, and whatever else pops up in this line of work. Establishing this group has helped me through tricky messaging, job transition, and even the occasional grammar question!
I invite you to renew your membership and join me in 2022. We have so much planned including pre-conference intensives at the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes conference in Atlanta, and a jam-packed conference in Savannah, with a special session on the 80th General Convention.
I look forward to seeing you in the coming year!
Alli Gannett
Director of Communications
Episcopal Diocese of Oregon