It is a time of change. In addition to all the news about Archbishop Shane Parker’s election as primate in this issue, Crosstalk, the print edition of the diocesan newspaper, has a new name and masthead.
Many readers will already be familiar with the name Perspective as the name of our online edition launched in February 2024. Having two names for the same publication has caused some confusion, and this change is intended to clear that up and bring both print and online editions together under one banner as our current bishop ends his time as publisher of the newspaper.
Early on after his consecration in 2020, Bishop Shane raised the idea of changing the name of the newspaper. He was concerned that the word crosstalk had some negative connotations. Various dictionaries define it as an unwanted transfer of signals between communication channels, interference on an electronic device such as a telephone or radio, or a situation in which more than one person is talking at a time.
Choosing a new name for a publication, however, is challenging. After extensive brainstorming, an executive review of potential new names led to a final shortlist of three titles, with “Perspective” emerging as the leading option after thoughtful deliberation and consultations with archdeacons, other parish leaders, and senior staff at Ascension House. The director of communications and development at the time then presented Perspective to Diocesan Council in the spring of 2023 as the recommended choice. From there, work began to select the typography for the masthead, while aligning the look and feel to the diocesan branding. I believe it was Bishop Shane’s inspiration to incorporate a cross in the final e.
The original plan was to change the name of Crosstalk when the online edition was launched in 2024, but communications from the national church indicated that the Anglican Journal might end its print edition sometime in 2025, and the decision was made to leave the name Crosstalk on the print issue until that time.
While a move to online publication only is still expected, especially considering the financial challenges for the national church, the timeframe for the ending of printed issues is still being considered. So, for now, the print issues of the Journal and diocesan papers will continue to be produced and distributed.
With that extended lease on life, our publisher instructed us to rename Crosstalk to work in tandem with the online edition, which enables us to deliver news, such as the surprise of the election this summer, in a much timelier way.
We encourage you to subscribe to the online edition in order to receive a link to each month’s issue directly by email: www.ottawa.anglican.ca/subscribe/
Anyone who is not receiving the print issue and would like to can subscribe by contacting the Anglican Journal: https://anglicanjournal.com/subscriptions/
Reading for reconciliation