A Fresh New Face on the Web

Inspired by many of the websites of churches in the Diocese of Newark, Randy Johnson, our Parish Administrator, and his friend, Steve McIntyre, redesigned our website.

www.stpaulschatham.org

We asked the question: If someone who was not Episcopalian were looking for a church, what would s/he want to see and need to know?

We tried not to assume that the reader would understand our code - Rite I, Rite II - or what an acolyte or LEM/LEV is and does. We tried to use few descriptive words and lots of pictures.

We also didn't use lots of "bells and whistles," so as not to daunt those who are technologically faint of heart but kept the design simple, user friendly and effective - also easier to update.

We are continually amazed at how many folk come through our doors saying, "Well, I was looking for a church and found you on the web . . . ." In talking with them, most of them didn't know what we meant by half of what we say about ourselves.

Having his friend Steve, who is not an Episcopalian, helping with the design, was invaluable to Randy's design.

Randy just launched our new website yesterday. Tell us what you think by writing him at stpauls@stpaulschatham.org

By the way, that "Dancing Cruciform Tree" is our new "logo" designed by native South African Lori Bentley, who, sadly for us, returned to her home country last year with her three children. Lori designed it after a year of congregational study, lead by Junior warden, film maker Vern Oakley, from which also came our "mantra": "Come. Grow. Celebrate." Our former Senior Warden, John Bennett, a retired marketing executive, who taught us all about "branding," was also invaluable to the process.

I would highly recommend this process to all churches. It has energized and clarified so much of who we say we are as a Body of Christ. I think that, in part, is the reason more and more people are making their way throuogh our door.