Church newsletter ideas: 30+ things to include

Running out of things to put in the newsletter usually means one of two things. Either you’re trying to fill too much space, or every issue is only announcements.

The fix for both is the same. Keep the regular parts short, then add one thing people actually want to read. You don’t need all 32 of these. Pick one or two per issue.

The regular parts

These belong in most issues:

• This Sunday. Times, sermon title or passage, and anything different from usual.
• Coming up. The next few dates, with a link to the full calendar.
• One ask. A volunteer need, a sign-up, or a reply. Just one, if you can.
• How to reach someone. A name and a phone number or email.

People and stories

• A member spotlight. Three or four questions with one person. How they came to the church, what they do on Sundays, a favorite verse. Ask permission first.
• Meet a volunteer. The person who makes the coffee or runs the slides. People love seeing who does the quiet work.
• New members. First names, a photo if they’re comfortable with it, and one line about each.
• A short story from a ministry. One person, one moment. “Last Tuesday, a family came to the food pantry for the first time…”
• A staff introduction. When someone new joins, give them a paragraph to say hello.
• Answered prayer. With permission, and kept short.
• Milestones. Weddings, babies, graduations, with permission.
• A thank-you note. To a team, a family, or the whole church.

From the pastor

• A short letter. One idea, a few paragraphs.
• Sermon follow-up. One question to think about this week, or a link to the recording.
• What I’m reading. A book, an article, or a passage, and why.
• Behind the decision. Why we’re changing the service time, starting a series, or trying something new.
• Ask the pastor. Answer one question people have sent in.
• A note from a leader. An elder, deacon, or board member explains something they’re working on.

Faith at home

• A family question. One question parents can ask at dinner, tied to Sunday.
• A short devotional. A verse and a few sentences.
• A Bible reading plan. This week’s readings, if your church follows one.
• A prayer for the week. Something people can pray at home.
• A kids’ corner. A short activity, a coloring page link, or the memory verse from kids’ ministry.
• A worship song. One of the songs you’ll sing Sunday, with a link to listen.

Giving and serving

• Where the money went. A short, specific update, like “Your gifts paid for new tables in the fellowship hall.”
• A building or campaign update. Where you are, what’s next.
• A volunteer need, explained. What the role is, how long it takes, and who to contact.
• A missions update. A short note or photo from a missionary or partner you support.
• A community need. A local shelter, school, or food bank that needs help, and how to give.

Practical stuff

• A how-to. How to give online, how to find the livestream, how to sign up for a small group.
• Small groups with open spots. Which groups have room, when they meet, and who to ask.
• A seasonal calendar. Advent, Lent, Holy Week, or summer schedules in one place.
• Facility news. Parking changes, construction, new room numbers.
• A welcome for visitors. A short note your members can forward to a friend.
• A quick feedback ask. One question people can answer by replying, like “What time works best for a midweek study?”
• A photo with a caption. One good photo from last Sunday or a recent event. Keep it to one, so the email stays light on a phone.

That’s 32.

Ideas by season

The church year gives you plenty to work with. A few ideas for each season:

• Fall kickoff (September). New small groups, the fall sermon series, and the volunteer roles you need to fill before things get busy.
• Thanksgiving (November). Ask a few people what they’re thankful for this year and share their answers. Add any food drive or community meal details.
• Advent and Christmas (December). Every Christmas service time in one place, a simple Advent reading plan for families, and an easy way for members to invite a friend.
• New year (January). A Bible reading plan to start the year, what’s ahead for the church, and a short look back at the past year.
• Lent and Easter (February to April). Ash Wednesday and Holy Week times, a Lent devotional or reading plan, and Easter details people can forward to friends and family.
• Summer (June to August). The summer schedule, VBS and camp dates, and a lighter newsletter. It’s fine to send every other week in summer.

If you’re stuck on any given week, look at what season it is and start there.

A sample issue

Here’s how a weekly issue might come together using this list. The church name is a placeholder.

Subject: Sunday: Ruth series starts + meet our new members

Hi Grace family,

This Sunday
10:30am: We start a new series on Ruth.

Meet our new members
[First names, one line each, with permission]

One ask
We need two more people for the nursery on Nov 15. Reply if you can help.

Coming up

Question for the week
Who has been faithful to you when they didn’t have to be?

See you Sunday,
[Name]

That’s the schedule, one ask, one thing worth reading, and a question to take home. It’s short enough to read in a minute.

How to keep it going

Keep a simple list of ideas somewhere the whole team can add to it. When someone says “that would be a great thing to share,” write it down. Then you’ll have something to pull from on the weeks you’re stuck.