Viewers to see UM ads during September

Commercials support
local efforts slated for
Open House Month

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
South Texas television viewers should be seeing lots of United Methodist television commercials this month.
The General Commission on Communication in Nashville, Tenn., is running more than 1,200 ads between Aug. 29 and Sept. 18 on 21 national cable networks. Those commercials are part of an annual denominationwide back-to-school Igniting Ministry advertising campaign.
Southwest Texas United Methodists are running local commercials during September as well in at least four markets. The ads invite viewers to visit United Methodist congregations during Open House Month.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez has proclaimed September Open House Month in Southwest Texas. He urged congregations to plan special events that would attract visitors and offer Christ to all.
Part of the rationale for identifying September as Open House Month is that many people move into new communities before school starts, said the Rev. Barbara Galloway-Edgar, senior pastor of First UMC, Boerne.
“When people are settling into a new home,” she said, “one of the most important things they look for is a church family.”
The 1,764 member Boerne congregation was “splashing our invitation over public access channels” on the local cable television system, Galloway-Edgar said. The advertisements were to run from Aug. 29 through Sunday. The tag line was “there’s a place for you here.”
“I think television advertising is effective because people get an actual look at what to expect,” Galloway-Edgar said. “Before they link up with us, they have to feel welcomed by the first person they see.”
If people learn about First UMC through the advertisements, Galloway-Edgar is that first person they see.
“People think, ‘If I show up, she’s going to be there,” she said. “’There will be at least one person I recognize.’”

First UMC was using banners and yard signs throughout the community to carry the open house message as well, Galloway-Edgar said.
“The message is the same,” she said. “There’s a place for you here. A consistent message and familiar face equal a welcome.”
Television advertising is nothing new in the Rio Grande Valley, where church attendance rises in the fall when “Winter Texans” arrive and declines when they leave.
The McAllen District advertises year-round on KRGV TV in Weslaco, said the Rev. Laura Brewster, associate pastor of St. Mark’s UMC, McAllen. She chairs the district communications committee and is a member of the conference Commission on Communications.
KIII TV in Corpus Christi airs the McAllen District’s commercials during back-to-school time, which coincides with Open House Month, she said. The station reaches communities in the northern part of the McAllen District.
“This is the time of year parents start thinking about churches for their children,” Brewster said. “We give as much exposure as we can to our northern area churches.”
All commercials are locally produced, Brewster said. Inviting people to a United Methodist church is one of two goals of the district’s advertising campaign. The other is showing the denomination’s diversity and openness to all.
“If we select images carefully, television has the ability to show the inclusiveness of the Methodist church,” she said. “We’re hoping that because our churches have that positive image, when someone receives an invitation, they’ll come.”
But advertising is not successful in isolation, Brewster said.
“What television does well is gain us some interest,” she said. “Where it works well is in conjunction with another activity, such as sending direct-mail postcards. We hope people see the commercials, receive the postcards, and accept the invitation.”
The Rev. Peter Aguilar, pastor of First UMC, Laredo, said KGNS TV in Laredo is to air commercials for his congregation as free public service announcements throughout September. In addition, 30-second spot announcements produced by the conference Communications and Public Witness Office are to be shown on the public access television channel.
An August article about the history of the church published in the local newspaper generated interest not only in First UMC but also in Methodist doctrine and teaching, he said.
“I’m hoping we’ll get the same kind of interest and exposure with our television ads,” he said. “That repeated exposure will keep us in the spotlight.”
Some Southwest Texas Conference United Methodist churches mention the national advertisements in their monthly newsletters. Others are drawing attention to Open House Month with special messages in their newsletters and activities throughout the month. Here’s a sampling of Southwest Texas newsletters:
n Jourdanton UMC: “This month the United Methodist Church is holding an open house! …To publicize this event, TV and radio commercials will air all this month. However, our best advertisement will come from you!”
> First UMC, Point Comfort: “At the national level The United Methodist Church will air brief but powerful television and radio ads during the month that will illustrate God’s powerful love, mercy and forgiveness. At the local level, congregation members are called to intentionally take the message of God’s love to everyone they meet each day through the invitation to join us in activities of local congregations.”
> Windcrest UMC: “With summer being the optimal time for families to relocate, there is a higher probability of newcomers in the area. These newcomers could see the national advertising. Open House events give us a perfect opportunity to invite others to experience God’s grace and offer Christ to all.”
> Utopia UMC: “Although special emphasis will be on September, we will make this (open house) attitude a year-round emphasis.”
> Fredericksburg UMC: “One of the criteria for becoming a welcoming congregation is to participate in Open House Month. How can we do that? Invite a friend to church, for starters, and keep inviting people until someone says yes!”
> First UMC, Marble Falls: “During Open House Month we will explore various aspects of Christian relationships and the promises given to us as we live in Christ’s family and we open our congregational home.”
> Memorial UMC, Austin: “It’s Round-Up Time at Memorial. This year Round-Up will be Sunday, Sept. 11, at noon right after church in the gym. This would be a wonderful time and opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us.”