Day 116 May 19

Communications Competition 2019 results announced

The winners of the Central Communications Board’s 2019 Communications Competition for the best websites and social media platforms from parishes, dioceses and church organisations were announced today (Thursday, 16th May) by the Most Revd Pat Storey, Bishop of Meath and Kildare and Chairman of the Central Communications Board, at the General Synod reception in the Guildhall, Derry/Londonderry.

The competition was run by the Church of Ireland Press Office but externally and professionally judged. This year, the focus has been solely on online media.  There was praise for all the entrants for their efforts in communicating within their own contexts in each category, with convincing evidence of communication work of a high standard across the island. Constructive feedback is available for all entrants – please get in touch with the Church of Ireland Press Office.

Results

In the Parish websites category –

• 1st Prize: Kilbride Parish Church (Connor)

‘This website has a wonderful landing page with excellent use of menus. It feels inviting and uncluttered. The content is superb – very dynamic and up to date. The website is full of life and tells me that the parish is full of life and energy.’

• Runner–up: Limerick Cathedral (Limerick & Killaloe)

‘… a very professional website and the faith life of the cathedral parish shines through.’

• Commended: St Mark’s, Portadown (Armagh)

‘… a really quirky and different website that feels very modern. There is excellent content and dynamism.’

In the Diocesan websites category –

• 1st Prize: Down and Dromore

‘The content is current and uncluttered. The whole website is just a breath of fresh air in terms of how is has been put together.’

• Runner–up: Meath and Kildare

‘This is a really great website with a very good landing page which is fresh and vibrant with very good menus … There are good links with diocesan social media with options to ‘click to follow’ on both Twitter and Facebook.’

• Commended: Connor

‘… a great landing page full of colour and excellent content which is dynamic and updated. The website has great functionality and an overall lovely design that was given time and thought.’

In the Affiliated organisation websites category –

• 1st Prize: Dublin & Glendalough Mothers’ Union

‘… a very crisp and slick website that draws the browser into an uncluttered home page. There are great menus and structure to the website … The site feels modern and up to date with great content reflecting the work and the mission of the organisation.’

• Runner–up: Cashel, Ferns & Ossory Mothers’ Union

‘… a website packed with information about the work of the Mother’s Union. It is kept up to date and gives a good sense of the identity and the work of the organisation.’

In the Innovative use of social media category –

• 1st Prize: Willowfield Parish Church, Belfast – Facebook (Down and Dromore)

‘Really great content that is updated and dynamic. They really understand the platform and put it to good use for their work. The content is clever, faith filled and funny! It’s so refreshing to see a faith organisation not afraid to have a sense of fun online alongside all the serious content.’

• Runner–up: St Matthew’s Parish Church, Belfast – Facebook (Connor)

‘… a truly wonderful presence on social media – it is a page that is faith–filled, welcoming and evangelising in nature. They really get it in terms of drawing people in with great content and a good attitude in an online space.’

• Commended: Killyman Parish Church – Facebook (Armagh)

‘This parish makes very good use of Facebook in its mission and ministry. It is kept fresh and updated and the content is brimming with faith.’

• Commended: Diocese of Derry and Raphoe – Facebook

‘Very good use and understanding of the platform. Good frequency of updates. Content is good with expert use of visuals and storytelling.’

 #coigs