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Indiana Area Office of The United
Methodist Church
1100 West 42nd Street Suite #210
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317.924.1321 (Voice)
317.924.4859 (Fax)
August 30, 2001
Contact:
Matt Carlisle, 317/924-1321 (Indianapolis)
Paula Shrock 765/664-5138 -- North Indiana UMC (regional) Conference
Bert Talbott 317/848-8929 -- South Indiana UMC (regional) Conference
United Methodists open doors to all this month
United Methodist churches in Indiana and across the nation are expecting company this month. "Open House Month" marks the launch of a $20 million mass media campaign called "Igniting Ministry." A first for the denomination, the massive four-year campaign will begin with a series of television ads aired on CBS stations as well as cable networks such as CNN, MSNBC, TNT, TBS, A&E, History and Discovery channels during September.
In a recent letter to the 1,350 United Methodist churches in the state, Indiana Bishop Woodie W. White said, "The television commercials are particularly exciting. They're beautiful, thought provoking and they linger in your mind, long after the images are gone. The same may be said for the print ads and billboards. Not your standard 'church promotion' The campaign not only tells the public who we are, but who we mean to be."
The Catchphrase of the campaign is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors -- The People of The United Methodist Church."
For the past few months, United Methodist churches across Indiana have been preparing to welcome the projected onslaught of new visitors with the help of five special training sessions for pastors and lay members, held in Indianapolis, Crown Point, Fort Wayne, Greenwood and Evansville.
In addition to the TV campaigns, many local churches will place newspaper ads, billboards and radio spots, put up yard signs, hang banners, mail post cards and pass out brochures -- all of which complement the national TV campaign. There is also an online presence with the informational Website www.unitedmethodist.org.
This unique and comprehensive campaign was designed after studying the results of a national survey commissioned by the church. The Igniting Ministry campaign targets "seekers" -- those who are not yet committed to a particular faith or spiritual path, but who are exploring ways of finding spiritual meaning or connection.
For a press kit or more information, including downloads of photos from the TV campaign and copies of the print ads, visit the Website at: www.ignitingministry.com.
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