Whenever we want to convey a special meaning that cannot be found through our parish photo collection, we turn to ECVA. And we change the art at least once a month because it is beautiful, inspirational, and timely. For example, the exhibition Behold All Things New: Visual Art in Response to Issues of Concern and the visual representations of our nation’s shock and disbelief in Since September 11th, help us all to put meaning to human events for which there are no accurate words.

September 22, 2001 Diocese of Upper South Carolina's Jr. High Fall Retreat By Roger Hutchison Photograph		Mythic Branches: Sept. 11, 2001 John Moody Acrylic and mixed media 22" x 21"

Besides ECVA, there are many everyday objects around the church that can serve as available art to help deliver your message. From church banners, to church-school art, to group photographs there are endless ways to remind people of their shared spiritual experience of Christian celebrations. At St. Paul’s we will use a photo from the previous year to promote an upcoming event or use the same photo again and again just cropped differently. With standard photo imaging software, you can simply resize it, crop it, remove or add color for emphasis, or simply save it at the right resolution for the Internet. Images can also be copied off a Web site or downloaded from a disc.

Bible School Banner		Altar Cross

Images from our church-school projects. Photos by The Rev. M. A. Osborn

	Photo by The Rev. M. A. Osborn

Celebrating the Work of Others
 
There are, however, several rules of ethics that should always be followed. Whenever we wish to use a lengthy quote or a work of art, we always contact the source in advance with a commitment that we will credit the source and provide an active link to their Web site or publisher. Our purpose is not to use other’s art for our needs, but to celebrate what others have done. After we receive permission, we always write a quick e-mail to show the source where and how their work has been used. It is most helpful for them to have a record of a work’s exposure – a very difficult picture to capture given the fragmentary nature of the Internet.

	Chapel Window Photo by Bill Alderman, parishioner

Receiving permission to use copyrighted work is an important administrative aspect, which we consider to be a professional responsibility. Some resources, like ECVA, will require it but others, such as volunteer writers or photographers may overlook, so we feel it important to do it for them. We have an overall copyright clause for the entire Web site, but always cite ownership of individual pieces.

It's also important to note that while it may be acceptable to altar or crop images produced from your parish, it is not acceptable to alter the images of others without their written consent, particularly the art displayed on such sites as ECVA. Therefore, when writing to the artist for permission, the request should include your promise that the art will be used exactly as is or state a request to change it. Also, if the descriptive text is to be reduced because of space issues, this should be noted in the use permission request as well. In other words, the artist should feel confident that their work will be displayed in the spirit that it was created.

Where To Go For Advice
 
First, we recommend that you turn to your diocesan office. Ours, the Connecticut Diocese, has responded to this new and vital means of ministry by offering assistance and tips for designing Web sites. The Web site of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut has a “tip” and “how to use the Internet” section with sample parish Web sites. (http://www.ctdiocese.org/resources/media.shtml) And questions can always be directed to ECVA. (editor@ecva.org) Gone are the days where this technology is reserved for a few elite programmers. The Web site hosting services and much of the software available today allow for the everyday photographer, writer, and artist to shine.

It has been an incredibly rewarding experience for us to maintain our parish Web site. Having a lively and dynamic form of communication has definitely helped to keep our parish community connected, informed, and inspired throughout the week. A large part of its vibrancy is attributable to the parish and ECVA art we are able to use. Art, as any natural expression of faith,  is a powerful way to experience the wonderments of God.

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