At the Associated Church Press's annual meeting, held in Nashville, Tennessee, April 24-27, more than 1,000 entries were submitted for the Best of the Christian Press competition for 2004. Nearly 300 awards were given by a panel of 26 judges at the April 26 ceremony, including Honorable Mentions for both Episcopal Life and Episcopal News Service in the Best in Class category. Of Episcopal Life, the judges said "one finds an impressive blend of news, features, and columns that are smartly written and well supported by artwork." Episcopal News Service, the judges said, "covers an impressive variety of subjects with an authoritative voice. Much rich content here."

Episcopal Life received an Award of Excellence in the category Editorial & Opinion, Newspaper or News Service, for "Personally" by Anne Fowler and Martha Giltinan, in the July/August issue. "This was an excellent example of the pro-con format working extremely well," remarked the judges. "Both writers presented their side of this controversial issue facing the church and society without rancor or in-your-face language, but with strong points of view. Their arguments were strong which made for compelling reading. They both recognized the deep feelings of the other side and both pieces were clearly and cleanly written. A good idea well executed."

Associate editor Nan Cobbey received an Award of Excellence for her feature article "Apple of their Eyes" in January 2004. "An enjoyable read, owing to highly evocative language, brisk storytelling, and a solid sense of the reporter having been there and having gotten out of the way to let the subjects tell and show their story. Nicely executed and great fun," said the judges.

Other Awards of Excellence for Episcopal Life included one for Personal Experience: Short Format for "How Blind I Was" by Sharon Sheridan, April 2004."This is a wonderfully straightforward recognition of a man's worth and contribution to a faith community. The author doesn't flinch from admitting her own evolving appreciation of one of God's children," observed judges.

Designer Jerry Fargo received the top award for Newspaper or Newsletter Design: Spread or Story for "We Need You," May 2004. "Multiple entry points make it easy for the reader to find something they may be interested in reading. Design is not the 'typical newspaper' look. Good use of color. Stories are distinctly separated." Fargo also received an Award of Merit for the November front page of Episcopal Life.

Merit awards for Episcopal Life included one for the "Since You Asked" department by Nancy Frank, Ian T. Douglas, and Francis Zanger, appearing in July, October, and November 2004. "Excellent issues-the respondents addressed them with vigor and clarity. Well done." Honorable mention went to the newspaper for its theme issue "Taking Care of Business" by Herb Gunn, Karen Bota, and Nan Cobbey, April 2004.

For in-depth coverage by a newspaper, newsletter, news service, or website, Episcopal News Service walked away with an Award of Merit for coverage of reactions to the consecration of V. Gene Robinson. The stories by Jan Nunley, Deborah Zacher, Herb Gunn, Matthew Davies, and Richelle Thompson "reflect a broad range of positions, loaded with information...overall a strong package that allows the reader to more fully grasp the key conflict within the church." Honorable mention went to Episcopal Life for "We Need You" by Nan Cobbey, featured in the May 2004 issue.

Immediately following the ACP conference, the Episcopal Communicators held their annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 27-30. At the yearly Polly Bond Awards for Episcopal Church communication, Office of Communication staffers were well represented.

In the category "National group or agency: Editorial writing and layout," Episcopal Life staffers won five Awards of Excellence:

• General Excellence: Jerrold Hames, editor, for the May, June, and July/August 2004 issues
• Two awards, for in-depth coverage and news story: Nan Cobbey, author, for 'We need you'
• Editorial and commentary: Nan Cobbey, editor, for "Reverence recommended: Even our friends won't tell us"
• Feature article: Heidi Schott, writer, and Marie Panton, editor, for "faithworks: Climbing toward hope after deadly fall"
• Layout: Jerry Fargo, designer, for "Baby heals war wound"

Episcopal Life also picked up four Awards of Merit:

• Front page: Jerry Fargo, designer, for the July/August 2004 issue
• Interview: Nan Cobbey, author, for "Rev. MacDonald Jean discusses Haiti's political realities, hopes"
• Feature article: Nan Cobbey, author, for "Apple of their eyes"
• Photography: Entire issue, Jerrold Hames, editor, for the October 2004 Issue

An Honorable Mention for layout of in-depth coverage went to Episcopal Life's Marie Panton and Meg Cave for "Crisis in health care."

Episcopal News Service won two Awards of Merit in the "National group or agency" category:

• Editorial writing and layout, headlines: Robert Williams, author, for "All Saints, All Souls, All Swing States"
• Editorial writing and layout, in-depth coverage: Matthew Davies and Jan Nunley, authors, for Windsor Report coverage

Davies and Nunley also picked up an honorable mention in the interview category for "'To listen and go on listening': A conversation with Archbishop Robin Eames."

In the category "Nat'l group or agency/Video/DVD/Audio/Internet," the Award of Excellence for best educational video or DVD went to Michael Collins, producer, and Matthew Ludvino, editor, ECUSA Office of Communication, for "Looking Back, Looking Forward - from General Convention into the next Triennium." Collins and Ludvino also won an Award of Merit in the category "TV Spot, Ad, PSA," for "One Peace." An Honorable Mention for Internet/Web site went to writer/editor Bowie Snodgrass and designer Wade Hampton for the Episcopal Church Center's www.comeandgrow.org site.

A full listing of the Associated Church Press awards is located at: http://www.theacp.org/AwardWinners2004-5.htm

A PDF listing of Polly Bond Awards is located at: http://www.episcopalcommunicators.org/PB%20Winners.pdf