Church Email Lists
- Each email list has an email address, and a list of “subscriber” email addresses.
- Any subscriber can send email to the list; mail from other sources is rejected.
- Email sent to the list’s address is automatically redistributed to all the subscribers.
- Individuals can subscribe or unsubscribe to a list at any time by contacting the church office.
The church has multiple email lists dedicated to different topics so that folks can subscribe to those topics they care about. There are four types of church email lists:
- announcement lists are used (not surprisingly) for announcements. Anybody can be subscribed to these lists, but only designated persons can send email through these lists.
- closed lists are used for internal discussions among church commissions and similar groups. The subscription lists of these groups are limited to members of the corresponding groups.
- discussion lists are for conversations among open church groups, such as the adult choir. Anybody can be subscribed to these lists, and any list member can send email through a list.
List membership is maintained by the church administrative assistant. Send email to office@fpcyorktown.org to be added to or deleted from a list.
Frequently Asked Questions about Church Email Lists
Here are a few answers to questions you may have about the church email lists:
Q: I already have email, why would I use an email list?
A: This doesn’t replace regular email. It helps you use your email more effectively when communicating with others who belong to the same church group.
Q: So what do these email lists do for me?
A: The church email lists let you send email to specific groups of church members and friends by sending your email to a single address. The service that operates behind that email address automatically redistributes your email to all list members. No fuss, no bother, and very simple.
You don’t have to know or remember the email addresses of the other folks on an email list; the list service takes care of that.
This is easier and more direct than the alternatives: (a) copy the addresses of the other members from some email you’ve received (with the likely chance that someone will have changed addresses); (b) send your email to someone else with a request to forward it.
Q: Do other folks get my email address?
A: No. The list of email subscribers is not visible to list members or the general public. However “from” email addresses are still visible within any email you send.
Q: Can spammers send email to a list?
A: No. The list rejects software from anyone who is not permitted to send to the list.
Q: I can never remember these complex email list addresses.
A: Hint: create an entry in your email program’s address book for any email list you join. For example, if you use the choir discussion list, create a “choir” address book entry that points to the FPCY+Choir@groupspaces.com email address.
Q: What software do I need?
A: Nothing special. Any email software.
Q: When I reply to an email from a list, who does it go to?
A: An incoming mail from a list always looks like it came from the original sender. But when you reply, the return email may go to the list or to the sender, depending upon how the list is setup. So always check the “To:” line of the reply email and correct it if it’s not what you want. Change the “To:” address to the sender’s address if you want your email to only go back to the sender. Change it to the list’s address if you want your reply to go to everyone on the email list.
Church Email List Policy
FPCY email lists provide a convenient method for communications on topics of interest among members and friends. These topics may include anything relevant to church affairs, such as biblical and theological discussions; social, economic, and moral concerns; announcement and coordination of church activities; and church governance. Each email list is intended for specific topics or church groups so that participants can subscribe to the particular lists of interest to them. Participants are asked to honor the intent of the policy by sending only email that is relevant to each list.
FPCY email lists are not intended for commercial activity. Advertisements should not be sent to church email lists.
Our church has long been concerned about social issues such as peace and justice. Church email lists can provide an appropriate forum for discussion of such issues. However, federal law and IRS regulations forbid non-profit organizations, such as our church, from engaging in political campaigning. See http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html for details. Discussions of electoral candidates, electoral campaigns, and related subjects belong elsewhere.
Email lists are a limited broadcast mechanism — meaning that senders can never be sure who will receive the email, or who might later review the list archives. Personal or private information should not be sent through these lists. Ancillary activities, such as distribution of blank personnel review forms, and coordination of meetings, are fine. Communications of completed personnel reviews, and like discussions, should not be made via these email lists.
New email lists may be created as needed. Each list should have a moderator who tracks the discussion within the list, and deals with any inappropriate communications in consultation with the Communications Commission.