News & Announcements Module — Administrator Help Guide

Echo Church Management System  |  Post Section

1. Overview

The News module (found under Post → New in the Echo CMS) is the primary tool for publishing church news, announcements, event promotions, bulletins, and any content you want members to read in the News section of the Echo mobile app dashboard.

Each news item is a rich, self-contained post that can include:

• A headline title and cover image
• A short teaser description visible in the news feed
• A full rich-text article body (the Description)
• A validity window that controls how long the item stays visible
• An optional push notification to alert members instantly
• A priority flag to pin important posts to the top of the feed

This module is ideal for weekly bulletins, live-stream links, concert announcements, pastoral letters, election results, app update notices, and any other communication your church wants to push to members.

2. Navigating to the News Module

1. Log in to the Echo CMS with your administrator credentials.
2. In the left navigation menu, click Post.
3. From the sub-menu, click New.
4. You will land on the News List screen showing all existing news items.
5. To create a new post, click Add New in the top-right corner.

💡 TIP

The News List is your control centre for all published and draft posts. From here you can see status, validity dates, edit any post, or delete posts that are no longer needed.

3. Understanding the News List

The News List displays every news item that has been created in the system. The columns are:

Date	Title	Sub Group	Valid Till	Status	Delete	Edit
2026-02-18	2026 LENTEN MEDITATION | 18/02/2026 to 05/04/2026	Hudson Memorial	2026-04-05	Active	🗑️	✏️
2026-02-18	ASH WEDNESDAY LIVE STREAM LINK	Hudson Memorial	2026-02-19	Active	🗑️	✏️
2021-06-12	Weekly Notice & Announcements	TCA Demo Group	2025-12-31	Active	🗑️	✏️
2020-09-04	User Manual	TCA Demo Group	2024-12-31	Active	🗑️	✏️

Key actions from the list:

• Edit (✏️) — Opens the news item form pre-filled for modification.
• Delete (🗑️) — Permanently removes the news item. This action cannot be undone.
• Status — Shows whether the item is Active (visible in the app) or inactive.
• Show Filter — Use the filter at the bottom of the list to search by title, group, or date range.
• Records per page — Set to All or a specific number to control how many rows appear.

⚠️ CAUTION

The Delete action is permanent and cannot be undone. If you want to hide a post without deleting it, edit the item and uncheck the Active checkbox instead, then save.

4. Creating a New News Item

Click Add New from the News List to open the News Details form. Complete all required fields before saving.

4.1 Form Fields Reference

Field	Required?	Description
Sub Group	Yes	Select the fellowship sub-group this news item belongs to. Members of the selected group will see this post in their app News feed.
Title	Yes	Enter the headline for the news item. This is the bold text members see in the news feed list. Make it clear and attention-grabbing (e.g., “JUDAH MUSIC WORSHIP CONCERT | 1st MARCH 2026”).
Date	Yes	The publication date of the news item. Defaults to today. This is the date shown in the news list — it helps members and administrators track when the post was created.
Valid Till	Yes	The expiry date for this news item. After this date the post will no longer be visible to members in the app. Format: MM/DD/YYYY. Always set a meaningful expiry.
Push Notification?	No	Select whether to send a push notification to members when this post is published. Options are typically: None, All Members, or specific sub-groups. Use this to alert members to urgent or important news.
Priority	No	Check this box to mark the item as high priority. Priority posts are pinned or highlighted at the top of the members’ news feed, ensuring maximum visibility.
Cover Image	No	Upload a banner or promo image for the news item. This image appears as the visual thumbnail in the news feed and at the top of the full article view. Size: 600×600 px. Max file size: 1 MB.
Active	No	Toggle visibility. Checked = the post is live and visible in the app. Unchecked = the post is saved but hidden from members. Use this to draft posts without publishing them immediately.
Short Desc	Yes	A brief teaser or summary of the news item (plain text). This appears below the title in the news feed list before a member taps to read the full article. Keep it to 1–2 sentences.
Type	No	Select the content type for this post. The default is “Content” (a full article). Other types may be available depending on your CMS configuration (e.g., Link, Video).
Description	No	The full body of the news article. Uses a rich text editor — see Section 4.3 for formatting guidance. This is what members read when they tap the news item to open it.

4.2 Cover Image Guidelines

The cover image is the visual identity of your news post — it appears as a thumbnail in the feed and as the banner when members open the full article.

Specification	Detail
Dimensions	600 × 600 pixels (square format)
Maximum File Size	1 MB
Recommended Format	JPG or PNG
Aspect Ratio	1:1 (square) — avoid tall portrait or wide landscape crops
Content Tips	Use high-contrast imagery with minimal text. Church logos, event graphics, speaker headshots, or thematic visuals work well.
After Upload	The filename will appear next to the Choose File button. Verify the correct file is selected before saving.

4.3 Short Desc Field

The Short Desc (short description) is the teaser text that members see in the news feed list — before they open the full article. Think of it as the subtitle or lead sentence of your post.

Best practices:

• Keep it to 1–2 sentences (under 150 characters if possible).
• Answer the key question: What is this about and why should I read it?
• Do not repeat the title word-for-word — add new information.
• Example: “Join us this Sunday for a special evening of praise and worship led by the Judah Music team. Doors open at 6:00 PM.”

4.4 Description (Rich Text Editor)

The Description field is a full-featured rich text editor for the complete article body. Members see this content when they tap to open a news item. You can use all standard formatting tools:

Formatting Tool	What It Does
Bold / Italic / Underline	Emphasise key words, event names, dates, and headings
Strikethrough	Mark outdated or cancelled information
Subscript / Superscript	Useful for scripture references (e.g., John 3²16)
Ordered & Unordered Lists	List schedule items, rules, speakers, or agenda points
Text Alignment	Centre headings; left-align body text for readability
Blockquote	Highlight a scripture verse or key quote from the pastor
Insert Link	Add URLs for live-stream links, registration forms, or external resources
Insert Table	Organise programme schedules, speaker timings, or event details
Font Size & Colour	Draw attention to critical information such as dates or venue details
Insert Special Characters	Add symbols like ✔, ★, or † where appropriate
Source View	Switch to raw HTML for advanced formatting or pasting content from other sources

✏️ BEST PRACTICE

Write the Short Desc first — it forces you to distil the core message. Then expand freely in the Description editor with full details, images, links, and schedules.

4.5 Push Notification

The Push Notification field lets you alert members the moment a news item is published. Use it thoughtfully:

• Select None if the post is routine or low-priority — not every bulletin needs a push alert.
• Select All Members (or the relevant sub-group) for urgent news: last-minute service changes, emergency notices, or major announcements.
• Combine with Priority (see below) for maximum visibility on critical posts.

⚠️ CAUTION

Push notifications are delivered immediately when you save the post. Sending too many notifications can lead members to disable them. Reserve push alerts for genuinely time-sensitive or important content.

4.6 Priority Flag

Checking the Priority box marks a news item as high-importance. Priority posts appear pinned or highlighted at the top of the news feed in the mobile app, above regular Active posts.

Use Priority for:

• Pastoral letters or urgent announcements from church leadership
• Emergency service cancellations or venue changes
• Major upcoming events that need sustained visibility (e.g., Annual Day, Missions Week)
• App update or important notice posts

4.7 Content Type

The Type dropdown controls how the news item is rendered in the app. The default is Content (a full rich-text article). Depending on your CMS configuration, additional types such as Link (redirects to an external URL) or Video may be available. Contact your system administrator if you need a type that is not listed.

5. Publishing and Managing News Items

5.1 Saving a New Post

• Fill in all required fields: Sub Group, Title, Date, Valid Till, and Short Desc.
• Upload a Cover Image if available.
• Configure Push Notification and Priority as needed.
• Ensure Active is checked if you want the post live immediately.
• Click Save. The post will appear in the News List and in the app within moments.

5.2 Drafting Without Publishing

To save a post without making it visible to members:

1. Complete the form as normal.
2. Uncheck the Active checkbox.
3. Click Save. The post is saved to the News List with a non-active status.
4. When you are ready to publish, open the post via the Edit icon, check Active, and save again.

💡 TIP

Use the draft approach for posts being reviewed by church leadership before publication, or for advance-scheduled content you are not yet ready to release.

5.3 Editing an Existing Post

1. From the News List, locate the post you want to update.
2. Click the Edit icon (✏️) on the right of that row.
3. The News Details form opens pre-filled with the current content.
4. Make your changes to any field.
5. Click Save to apply. Changes appear in the app immediately.

5.4 Deactivating (Hiding) a Post

If a news item is no longer relevant but you want to keep the record:

• Open the post using the Edit icon.
• Uncheck the Active checkbox.
• Click Save. The post is removed from the app feed but remains in the CMS list.

5.5 Deleting a Post

To permanently remove a news item, click the Delete icon (🗑️) in the News List row. A confirmation prompt may appear. Once deleted, the post and all its content are gone and cannot be recovered.

⚠️ CAUTION

Prefer deactivating over deleting whenever possible. Deactivated posts can be reactivated later; deleted posts cannot be restored.

5.6 Clear and Cancel

• Clear — Resets all fields in the current form to blank. Use to start a fresh post. Cannot be undone.
• Cancel — Discards any unsaved changes and returns you to the News List.

6. Step-by-Step: Publishing Your First News Item

Step 1 — Open the Form

Go to Post → New in the CMS navigation. Click Add New.

Step 2 — Select the Sub Group

Choose the fellowship group whose members should see this post (e.g., Hudson Memorial Church or TCA Demo Group).

Step 3 — Enter the Title

Type a clear, descriptive headline. For event promotions, consider including the date in the title (e.g., “JUDAH MUSIC WORSHIP CONCERT | 1st MARCH 2026”) so it is self-identifying in the list.

Step 4 — Set Date and Valid Till

Confirm the Date is correct (today by default). Set the Valid Till date to when the post should expire and stop appearing in the app. For a weekly bulletin, this might be seven days from now. For an annual event promo, set it to the event date.

Step 5 — Configure Push Notification and Priority

If this is a time-sensitive or important post, select the appropriate push notification audience. Check Priority if the post should appear at the top of the feed.

Step 6 — Upload a Cover Image

Click Choose File, select your image (600×600 px, max 1 MB), and verify the filename appears next to the button.

Step 7 — Confirm Active Status

Ensure the Active checkbox is ticked to publish immediately. Uncheck it to save as a draft.

Step 8 — Write the Short Desc

Type 1–2 sentences in the Short Desc field that summarise the post and entice members to read more.

Step 9 — Select Content Type

Leave the Type as Content unless you are publishing a link or video post.

Step 10 — Write the Description

Use the rich text editor to write the full article. Include all relevant details: programme, schedule, speakers, venue, dress code, contact information, and any links. Use formatting tools to make the content easy to read on a mobile screen.

Step 11 — Save

Click Save. The news item is now published to the app and will be visible to members in the selected sub-group immediately.

✅ SUCCESS

Your news item is live! Members will see it in the News section of their Echo app dashboard. If Push Notification was enabled, they will receive an alert on their device.

7. How Members Experience News in the App

Here is what happens on the member side after you publish a news item:

• The member opens the Echo app and goes to the News section on the dashboard.
• They see a scrollable list of active news items for their sub-group, sorted by Priority first, then by date.
• Each item shows the Cover Image (if uploaded), the Title, and the Short Desc.
• The member taps the item to open the full article and reads the Description content.
• If Push Notification was enabled, members who have notifications turned on received an alert when the post went live.

📱 NOTE

Only Active posts within their Valid Till date are visible in the app. Expired or inactive posts are automatically hidden from the member feed, even if they remain in the CMS list.

8. Best Practices

Titles

• Include the event name and date for event-related posts so they are self-explanatory in the list.
• Use ALL CAPS sparingly — only for major announcements. Mixed case is easier to read.
• Keep titles under 80 characters so they display fully on small phone screens.

Short Descriptions

• Answer “what, when, and why should I care” in two sentences.
• Do not end with “Read more” — members will tap naturally if the teaser is compelling.
• Avoid copying the title word-for-word.

Cover Images

• Use event-specific graphics or church photography rather than generic stock images.
• Ensure text in the image is large enough to read at thumbnail size.
• Maintain a consistent visual style across posts to build brand recognition.

Valid Till Dates

• Always set a realistic expiry. Weekly bulletins should expire after 7 days. Concert promotions should expire on the event date.
• Review the News List monthly and deactivate any posts with expired but still-active status.

Push Notifications

• Limit push notifications to high-importance posts (maximum 2–3 per week).
• Test the notification on your own device before sending to all members.
• Time your saves wisely — a push sent at midnight will disrupt members.

Writing for Mobile

• Use short paragraphs (2–3 sentences) in the Description — long blocks of text are hard to read on a phone.
• Use headers and bullet points in the rich text editor to break up content.
• Put the most important information first.

9. Common Use Cases & Examples

Use Case	Suggested Type	Priority?	Push Notification?
Weekly Sunday Bulletin	Content	No	None or Sub Group
Live Stream Link (same-day)	Content or Link	Yes	All Members
Concert / Event Promotion	Content	Yes	Sub Group
Pastoral Letter	Content	Yes	All Members
Election Results	Content	Yes	All Members
App Update Notice	Content	Yes	All Members
Prayer Points / Devotional	Content	No	Sub Group
Camp / Retreat Registration	Content or Link	Yes	Sub Group
User Manual / Help Guide	Content or Link	No	None

10. Troubleshooting

Issue	Resolution
Post saved but not visible in the app	Confirm the Active checkbox is ticked. Check the Valid Till date is in the future. Verify the Sub Group matches the member’s profile. Have the member refresh the app.
Cover image upload fails	Ensure the image is 600×600 px and under 1 MB. Convert to JPG format and try again. Avoid special characters in the filename.
Push notification not received by members	Members must have app notifications enabled on their device. Check phone notification settings. Verify the correct Push Notification audience was selected before saving.
Post appears but description formatting looks broken	Open the post in Edit mode and switch the Description editor to Source view. Remove any stray HTML or copy-pasted formatting from external tools like Microsoft Word. Re-save.
Cannot save — error or Save button unresponsive	Check that all required fields (Sub Group, Title, Date, Valid Till, Short Desc) are filled. Ensure the Valid Till date is not before the Date.
Old post still visible to members past its expiry	Open the post and verify the Valid Till date. Correct if needed and re-save. Alternatively, uncheck Active and save to force-hide immediately.
Post needs to be removed from app immediately	Edit the post, uncheck Active, and save. The post will disappear from the member feed instantly without deleting the CMS record.

11. Getting Further Help

If you encounter an issue not covered in this guide:

• Contact your Echo system administrator or technical support team.
• Refer to other articles in the Echo Knowledge Base for related CMS modules.
• For feature requests or feedback, use your designated support channel.

—  End of Help Article  —

Echo Church Management System  |  Post → News Module