Voice

Content

Style Guide

Writing Content

Dos

• Use inclusive language: Use inclusive language that embraces diversity and welcomes people of all backgrounds, including different races, genders, and abilities.
• Provide clear and concise information: Clearly communicate important information about your church, including service times, locations, programs, and events. Use concise and easy-to-understand language to ensure that visitors can find the information they need quickly.
• Share stories and testimonials: Share stories and testimonials from members of your congregation to demonstrate the impact of your church on individuals and the community. Personal narratives can be powerful tools for conveying the essence of your church's mission and values.
• Highlight community involvement: Showcase your church's involvement in the local community. Highlight outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships with other organizations. Illustrate how your church is actively working to make a positive difference in people's lives.
• Use images and multimedia: Incorporate relevant images, videos, and multimedia content to enhance the visual appeal and engagement of your website or social media platforms. Visuals can create a more welcoming and immersive experience for visitors.

Don'ts

• Avoid exclusivity: Avoid using language or messaging that may make certain individuals or groups feel excluded or unwelcome. Strive to create an inclusive and open atmosphere for all who visit your platforms or attend your services.
• Avoid overly promotional content: While it's important to share information about your church's activities and programs, be mindful not to make your content excessively promotional or self-centered. Instead, focus on providing value and meeting the needs of your audience.
• Don't overlook proofreading and editing: Ensure that your content is free from grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Proofread and edit your content before publishing to maintain a professional and polished image.
• Don't neglect the power of storytelling: Instead of relying solely on formal statements or announcements, incorporate storytelling elements into your content.
• Personal stories can create emotional connections and resonate deeply with readers.
• Avoid excessive use of religious jargon: While it's important to express your faith, tradition, and values, be mindful of not overwhelming readers with an excessive use of jargon. Strive to strike a balance between sharing your tradition and ensuring clarity and understanding for a broader audience.

In House Style Rules

• Use the Oxford comma. "I owe my success to the inspiration of my parents, the Virgin Mary and God" may leave the reader confused about who the writer's parents are.
• Directions (North, South, East, West) always capitalized
• The Rev'd Dr. (Formal title for Jeffrey)
•  Fr. (informal title for Jeffrey), Mtr.(when referring to a female priest)
• Prefixes for non-ordained staff should be Mr. or Ms.
• Be sure to ask others what prefix/title they prefer before using one.
• Parish officer titles should be capitalized (Senior Warden/Sr. Warden; Junior Warden/Jr. Warden; Treasurer; etc.)
• Vestry and/or Standing Committee names should always be capitalized (e.g., Finance Committee)
• Spell out numbers up to 20
• Contractions are fine
• Abbreviations are fine (Senior Warden and Sr. Warden are acceptable)
• Use OK
• We use am or pm (e.g. 7:45 am); Noon is always capitalized
• Our electronic newsletter is called the eNews
• Single-spacing between sentences in a paragraph.
• Generally, indentations in the first line of a paragraph.
• Be attentive to the proper use of the apostrophe, particularly with regard to the possessive: We are having the Schmidts to dinner. That is the Schmidt's house.