The Community Connection is the church newspaper that goes out to over 2700 homes every month.  Community Connections are also available in each vestibule of the church, in the lobby by the kitchen and the brochure rack.

This is the BEST method of communication we have as a church.  Ministries are wise to make good use of the Community Connection.  It is a great way to promote upcoming events as well as give recaps of events you've recently held.  Ministries do not have a limit on how many articles they can submit.  You can have a whole section if your ministry events warrant it.  Have FUN with your section of the newspaper, be thorough and creative!

Deadlines for the Community Connection are firm and usually one month prior to the publication release.  Your ministry may want to appoint one person to be responsible to ensure that good articles are written.  That person could act as a clearing house for your articles (if written by a number of volunteers), do some editing, and submit all of them on behalf of your ministry. 

Community Connection deadlines require ministry leaders to plan ahead for events in order to get them properly promoted.  Here are some tips that may help you effectively use the Community Connection:

• Lay out your calendar for a minimum of six months, at least three months in advance of the first event.
• List your upcoming events in the newspaper, with an article promoting each event.
• It's best to explain the who, what, when, where, and whys of your event, as well as costs so people can plan ahead.
• If you do not have all the small details of your event ahead of time, submit as much as you can until you can firm up those small details.
• Give a contact name, phone number or email address so people can call a contact someone if they have questions.
• Submit a great photo or two along with your article to create more interest.
• If the event requires registration, note that in the article and point people to pick up a brochure in the brochure rack in the lobby.  (Then create a brochure.)
• Articles should use language that is appropriate for your target audience.
• In your article explain why someone would want attend your event, hype it up, have FUN with the article!
• Feel free to do a recap article after you've held an event.  Be sure to cover what the event was about, when it was held, and some high points of the event as well as submitting a picture or two.  It's usually a good idea to do a short interview with someone - it provides "quotes" for the body of your article.  
• Invite readers to join you for future ministry events.
• If you have questions about how to write articles or would like more help, call the Communication & Connection Director at GBCC.