How to publish in iConnect or on the website

With so many active ministers and students wanting to publish information about our activities and events, it is important that we make the most effective use of all our publishing opportunities.  There is great pressure on space in the weekly iConnect email newsletter and priority is given (a) to announcements from the Interfaith Foundation, and (b) to items posted by IMA members and current students.

How to publish in iConnect

The arrangements for submitting content have evolved as follows; these make the work easier for the editorial team who work from different locations.  Simply post your content to the website.  The editors will pick up all the lastest content each week and include a digest of these postings in iConnect, together with a hyperlink to your full text and information on the website.  You can write as much (or as little) in your posting, whether that be an Event, a news item or announcement in the Forums, a Prayer Request, or a resource in the Library.  We will edit the salient points for iConnect, but your full text remains visible online.

There is no charge and no limit for self-published material by IMA members and Seminary students.  As explained in the Community Handbook, Non-IMA members are welcome to send in content for publication by a staff member and a charge will be made for each, payable in advance.

How to publish to the website

First, you much login to the website.  There is a login link in the menu bar at the top of each page.  Simply enter your username and password.  These were sent to you when your joined the IMA or became a seminary student.  There are no length limits or charges for IMA Members and Students making postings; you can make as many as you like!

Once you have logged in, you will see 'My Toolbox' in the left-side column of each page.  Click on the Create Content link in the Toolbox to see all the publishing options available to you.

Alternatively, go to the respective page where you wish to publish, and

  • Add Event to the calendar and promote your worship services, meditations, retreats, courses and other activities.  Some people have found this awkward because of the number of options available.  Just remember: you only have to complete the boxes with an asterisk * mark; you can ignore the rest and still post your event.
    • * Title - the name of your event
    • * Date - choose the year, month and day when your event starts; add the start time if this is strictly necessary
    • If your event recurs regularly, check the 'R' box and then in the Body Text field, tell us how frequently your event recurs and when it ends e.g. "First Monday of every month" or "Every Tuesday until 15 February". We will then re-post your event for you until the last date, so you don't have to create multiple events
    • * Body Text: Add a description of your event - what it's about, where it's being held, what people need to know, how to book, etc. You can add as much detail here as you like.
    • All the remaining fields are entirely optional
    • File Attachment: Click on this if you want to upload and attach a brochure or booking form. 'Choose File' from your computer, and then 'Attach' it to the page.
    • Location: If you want the venue location to display on a map, fill in one or more of the Postcode, Town/City, Street, or Building fields. Click the Google Maps Locator link to see how the result will display; you can then move the location pin if necessary.
    • That's it!  Ignore everything else.  And remember, if you get stuck, you only need to complete the fields with an asterisk *
  • Add a News Story.  Pretty simple: just create a Title for your article and some Body Text
  • Add Comments to any news story
  • Add Forum threads and posts to interact with other ministers and students.  There are dedicated Forums for ministers (only visible to IMA ministers) and for students (only visible to students) Pretty simple: just create a Title for your posting and some Body Text
  • Update your Profile
  • Add Ministers Resources to the library (IMA Members on the Register only)
  • Add a Prayer Request

Please AVOID using CAPITALISED WORDS, particularly in the Title - it looks aggressive and dominant in relation to the rest of the website content.  We invite you to publish your contributions and make this a vibrant and interactive community of interfaith ministers and students.

How to publish in Gracevine

Gracevine is the periodic journal of the Interfaith Foundation. Longer articles, reflective pieces, poetry and artwork are all welcome.  Promotions for forthcoming events can be accepted. There is no charge for items submitted by IMA Members.  A charge is payable by non-IMA members for promotional items.  Please contact the editor, Sarah Flynn.