Department for Communication and Overseas Mission Report to 2014 Divisional Annual Meetings

Transcription

1 Department for Communication and Overseas Mission Report to 2014 Divisional Annual Meetings A. Background Communication has always been at the forefront of the Wesleyan tradition. Apart from publishing copies of 140 Sermons and his notes on the New Testament, Wesley also published Journals, magazines and pamphlets. The Methodist Church in Fiji 1984 Constitution established a Department for Communications and Overseas Mission. As part of responding to the issue of Reconciliation process (as per resolution from 2012 Conference on Question 13a]1) the Church has revived the Department. The Communications Steering Committee was appointed on Thursday 18th October Secretary took up appointment on 13 th July, 2014 B. Staff: SECRETARY Rev. James Bhagwan (Award-winning writer/director/producer/presenter with 20years experience in radio/tv/print media/events) AUDIO-VISUAL PRODUCER Jacob Rayawa (13 years experience TV/video/audio/events/production) VOLUNTEERS 3 Trainees (Camera / Internet) PART TIME Rev. Isimeli Koroi (Newsletter) C Committee: 1. Sakiusa Bolaira - Chairperson 2. Ratu Seru Verebalavu, Manager Methodist Bookstore (Deputy Chair) Members: 3. Rev. Iliesa Naivalu, Secretary for CC&SS 4. Deaconess Meresiana Kuricava, Administrator Deaconess Order 5. Mrs. Violet Savu, Fiji Media Watch (Member Wesley Lami) 6. Deaconess Salanieta Naucabalavu, Secretary for Women 7. Rev. Sakaia Ratumudu, Church Accountant 8. Rev. Jeremaia Waqnibete, Divisional Superintendent - Wesley Ex-Officio Members: 9. President 10. Vice President 11. General Secretary 12. Assistant General Secretary 13. Secretary for Communication and Overseas Mission (Meets every 2 months) 1

2 D. Communications Master Plan: 1. Development of Communications Policy for the Secretariat and whole Church; 2. Development of communications training programmes for ministers, deaconesses, lay leaders and staff in the Secretariat and Divisions; 3. Introduction of communication desks at Divisional level; 4. Radio, Television and Internet broadcasting; 5. Establishment of a Media/Communications Centre; 6. Establishment of a Church Museum; 7. Digitization of Church Archival Material; 8. Establishment of a Church production unit to record and produce radio, television and internet programmes; 9. Establishment of a strong Internet presence through website development and social media networks; and 10. Provide Media Literacy programmes for church members. E. Progress on Master Plan: 1. Development of Communications Policy for the Secretariat and whole Church; Media / Public- relations work for Secretariat General Secretary and Secretary for Communication have regular briefing sessions Departments notify the Secretary when they have programmes and activities Press Releases, Press briefings, Press Conferences Branding: New Logo / Flag 2. Development of communications training programmes for ministers, deaconesses, lay leaders and staff in the Secretariat and Divisions For July/November, Introduction of communication desks at Divisional level - Proposal to 2014 Annual meetings these Communication Officers will receive training from the Department over the next 3 years 4. Radio, Television and Internet broadcasting; - Example: Late President s Funeral was broadcast on Radio Fiji 1, Fiji One, Sky Pacific and on the Internet. - Internet Live-streaming for major church events. Centenary Church is now a live-stream and TV broadcast capable church. 5. Establishment of a Media/Communications Centre: - We are based in the old Restaurant. We hope to set up a small studio by the end of 2014 where we can record some programmes. - Appealing for overseas support for equipment. (1 broadcast quality camera - $5000 USD lowest cost) 6. Establishment of a Church Museum; 7. Digitization of Church Archival Material; - In discussion with Fiji Museum and National Archives - Fiji Museum has agreed to have a special display of Methodist artefacts from August. - National archives will put together some displays and advise on digitization 8. Establishment of a Church production unit to record and produce radio, television and internet programmes: - DVDs on 2013 Induction, Conference, Ordination, Late President s Funeral 2

3 - Recorded preaching, teaching, Bible-study by late president - Coverage of various Department workshops - 9. Establishment of a strong Internet presence through website development and social media networks : - Website is currently being redesigned in house (cost over $5000 if done by an outside company size of the site) www. - Facebook is very popular locally and internationally as Fijians are social people. Many members have Facebook application on their mobile phones which reach further than radio stations. - Discussions with TelecomFiji and Digicel on Livestream 10. Provide Media Literacy programmes for church members. - Department is a member of Fiji Media Watch. - proposed Divisional Communications officers will be trained in conducting Media Education Workshops. F. Activities for 2014: 1. Television: By 2016 Fiji will begin to shift from Terrestrial TV to Digital TV. By 2020 every home will be receiving their TV signal by a dish or special receiver. As a result there will be more free channels available. It will then become cheaper for us to broadcast. The Department is now working on developing programmes to broadcast once we have a channel. IN DEVELOPMENT: Fiji TV: Weekly 30min programme for TBN Australia on SKY Pacific. (Wesley/Dudley) MAI TV: The station is willing to broadcast some of our programmes for free. Will partner with us for the National Celebrations. (by 2016 will be on par with other stations Digital) Looking for other churches to set up similar to Centenary 2. Radio Broadcasting Na Raici Jisu Matua programme on Radio Fiji 1 Morning devotion programmes on Radio Fiji 2 All radio is now commercial so sponsorship is required. Programmes must now be packaged to fit the station s format (55mins, 28mins, 15min, 5min). The cost of setting up a national radio station to each all our member is very expensive. However the department is looking into partnerships to develop this idea. 3

4 In discussions with Radio Light for collaboration. 3. DVD productions: 6 disc set for Late President s funeral was produced. Jubilee Celebrations will be recorded Special events in churches, circuits or divisions can be filmed Choirs can be filmed by the department and choirs can sell DVDs to fundraise. Recording of special sermons and services. 4. Internet: Complete the Church Website fully updated Uploading of video material online via youtube Work to develop livestream (mainly for overseas) broadcasts by churches Develop more internet applications Digicel/Vodafone Connecting the Church via Internet ( , Skype) G. Challenges: Staff: The field of communication is a labour-intensive field. We only have 2 full-time staff. Film/video productions require a three-fold process of planning, filming and editing (preproduction, production, post-production). A basic crew would be cameraman, director, editor. It takes at least 1 week to edit a 1 hour programme for a full-time editor (broadcast quality) from what we film. Funding: The equipment we need is expensive: broadcast quality cameras,microphones, computers, editing software, printing etc. We source funding from MCIF budget, Uniting Church and donations. While our priority is to provide service to the church s needs, the Department has also been tasked to become self-sufficient in the next 5years and profitable by 10 years. This will be done through: DVD production / sales Documentary production Hire of camera/production crew for non-church events Consultancies Film Premiers H. Divisional Communications Officers As part of our communications strategy for the Church and in line with the Connexional Plan, the department proposes that each Division appoint a voluntary communication officer. Due to the training involved, the Communications Officer must be willing to serve for 5 years. Communication Officers will receive training in: Basic communication skills Basic writing and video skills Media Education 4

5 Role to be our news reporters, provide media education in the division and to also be an additional point of contact for information to assist the Divisional Superintendent and Divisional Steward in communication. People selected must be computer literate Microsoft word, receive, relay, reply to s. I. Overseas Mission: 1. The Methodist Church in Fiji has over the last 50 years begun to slowly extend beyond the reefs of our islands. We acknowledge the hard work of not only Ministers, but also Catechists/Lay Pastors, Lay Preachers and church members who continue to gather for worship in whatever country they find themselves. Thanks to their hard work and desire to maintain their Fijian Methodist roots, we have small i-taukei, Rotuman and Hindi-speaking congregations and fellowships growing in Malaysia, Dubai, Lebanon, Canada, America and even China. Apart from the ministers appointed to serve Australia and New Zealand, there are other congregations and fellowships which have developed other places in those countries. The Methodist Church sends our love, encouragement and offer of support to these congregations which is an example of what John Wesley meant when he said, The world is my parish. 2. Ministers currently serving overseas Uniting Church, Australia Rev. Waisea Kania Sydney, New South Wales Rev. Vetinia Waqabaca Parramatta, New South Wales Rev. Dr. Iliesa Jovili Meo New South Wales Rev. Pauliasi Tabulutu, Canberra, Australian Capital Territories Rev. William Lucas Perth, Western Australia Rev. Inia Mavai has been appointed to serve in Melbourne, Victoria Methodist Church in Aotearoa-New Zealand Rev. Peni Tikoinaka Christchurch Rev. Akuila Bale - Christchurch United Kingdom (British Army) Rev. (Capt.) Josefa Mairara Raikadawa - Germany Rev. Jimione Kaci - England 3. Chaplains in Peacekeeping Mission Rev. (Cpt) Joji Rinakama SINAI (MFO) Rev. (Cpt) Eparama Rauraumala - IRAQ (UN) Rev. (Cpt) Osea Bera GOLAN HEIGHTS (U.N. - ISRAEL/SYRIA) 4. More Mission opportunities: The Secretary has been focusing on Communication for and will now begin to work on Overseas Mission. We need to sail the Methodist Church drua beyond the reef and across to other lands, to share the Good News just as the missionaries from England an 5

6 Australia did for our ancestors. The department is looking for opportunities for Lay Preacher and Lay Pastors/Catechists to serve as missionaries in the spreading of the gospel in other countries on short term and long term missions. We plan to begin working on this by June 2014 Roll out of Overseas Mission plans for 2015: o UMC - GBGM Young Adult Mission Global Justice Volunteer Programme for Youth (18-30years old) Short Term Global Mission Fellow (20-30years old) Long Term o Currently working with Secretary of Evangelism to develop a missionary partnership with WEC International: Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ WEC International has over 1,800 active workers from over 50 nations working in multi-cultural teams in over 80 nations. The Overseas Mission Department and Evangelism Department will work together with WEC International to provide cross cultural training for evangelism for Muslims and Chinese The major mission field is Africa and South East Asia we are looking for missionaries to carry the gospel there. J. Recommendations To Annual Meeting: 1. That the report be accepted. 2. That the Communications Master Plan be accepted. 3. That the Secretary of Communication and Overseas Mission come under the Office of the General Secretary (along with Legal Advisor and Accountant) in the revised Constitution. 4. That the Annual Meeting appoints a voluntary Communications Officer to serve for 5 years. (The name and contact to be forwarded to Church Office). 5. That each Division support the work of the Communications Officer in sharing and collecting news for the Department and conducting training programmes on media and communication for Sunday School, MYF and Women s and Men s Fellowships. 6. That our young Methodists who are Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors/Catechists be encouraged to volunteer for overseas mission. 7. That as Pentecost Sunday is theologically connected to Communication and Mission, a special offering be collected on Pentecost Sunday be sent to the Church office for the work of the Communication and Overseas Mission Department in training and equipping Divisional Communications Officers and in support of lay missionaries who serve overseas. 6