A system and method for communicating messages includes receiving, from a first client associated with a calling party, a request for connection with a second client. A called party associated with the second client is notified that the request for connection was received, in response to receiving the request for connection. A connection processing instruction may be received from a third client associated with the called party. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the request for connection may be processed in accordance with the connection processing instruction.