Recognizing the dedication and creativity of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) communications staff, the Associated Church Press awarded 23 prizes to PC(USA) publications during its May 1 convention dinner in Toronto, Canada.
The Associated Church Press is a professional organization brought together by a common commitment to excellence in journalism as a means to describe, reflect and support the life of faith and the Christian community. The Associated Church Press awards recognize excellence among the association’s more than 100 members. Best In Class designations are reserved for publications with broad categories, large audiences and national reach.
Below is the list of PC(USA) publications represented at the Associated Church Press with their respective awards:
Presbyterians Today
- Best In Class, Denominational or other Special Interest Magazine
- James Solheim Award For Editorial Courage, Award of Excellence for 'Our Emmaus Road' by Patrick Heery
- Magazine News Story, Award of Excellence for 'Split Decision' by Jerry Van Marter, Karen Bosc and Patrick Heery
- Theme Issue, Section, or Series in a Magazine, Honorable Mention for Guide for Young Adult Ministry by Patrick Heery, Jeffrey Lawrence, Mark Thomson, Jeffrey Schooley, Jana Blazek, and Joseph Morrow
- Long Format Theological Devotional or Inspirational Writing, Award of Merit for Decluttering for Christmas: 2014 Advent Calendar by Kathleen Long Bostrom, Patrick Heery, Karen Bosc and Mark Thomson
- Magazine Cover Design, Honorable Mention for 'Civil Rights – Miles to Go' by Mark Thomson, Patrick Heery and Jeffrey Lawrence
- Print Publication Redesign, Award of Merit to Mark Thomson, Patrick Heery and Jeffrey Lawrence
Retired Presbyterian News Service editor Jerry Van Marter receives the Associated Church Press Best In Class award for online new service from current Presbyterian News Service editor and Associated Church Press past-president Gregg Brekke. —Cynthia Martens
Presbyterian News Service
- Best In Class, News Service
- Feature Article on a News Service, Website or Blog, Award of Merit for 'From the Brink of Death to Life' by Bethany Daily
- News Story on a News Service, Website or Blog, Honorable Mention for 'Assembly Approves Allowing Pastors to Perform Same-Gender Marriage where Legal Sends Proposed Constitutional Amendment Changing Marriage Definition' by Jerry Van Marter
- In-Depth Coverage on a News Service, Website or Blog, Honorable Mention for 'The Widow’s Might' by Jerry Van Marter
- Short Format (1200 words or less) Personal Experience or 1st Person Account on a News Service, Website or Blog, Honorable Mention for 'Retirement' by Jerry Van Marter
- Long Format (1200 words or more) Personal Experience or 1st Person Account on a News Service, Website or Blog, Award of Merit for 'A Day in Gaza' by Kate Taber, Special to Presbyterian News Service
- Critical Review, Award of Merit for 'Oscars’ Best Films from a Faith Perspective' by Edward McNulty as a special to Presbyterian News Service
Horizons
- Theological Bible Reference materials, Award of Excellence for 'Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians' by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, writer; Betsy Ensign-George, editor; Laura Lee, designer
- Theological Bible Reference materials, Award of Excellence for 'Reconciling Paul Companion DVD' by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, writer; Betsy Ensign-George, editor; Laura Lee, designer/project coordinator
Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice
- Independent Website, Best in Class Award of Merit to Ginna Bairby, managing editor, and Chris Iosso, general editor
- James Solheim Award For Editorial Courage, Award of Merit for 'How Our Church’s Witness for a Just Peace Strengthened Our Relationships Within the Jewish Community' by Mark Davidson, writer, and Ginna Bairby, editor
- Convention and Meeting Coverage, Honorable Mention for 'The Road to Detroit: Issues of Social Justice Before the 221st General Assembly' by Ginna Bairby, editor
- Theme Issue, Section, or Series on a News Service, Website or Blog for 'Hearing the Voices of Peoples Long Silenced: Gender Justice 2014' by Ginna Bairby, managing editor, and Chris Iosso, general editor
- Short Format (1200 words or less) Personal Experience or 1st Person Account on a News Service, Website or Blog, Award of Excellence for 'Courage to Speak' by Carol Ferguson, writer, and Ginna Bairby, editor
- Long Format (1200 words or more) Personal Experience or 1st Person Account on a News Service, Website or Blog, Honorable Mention for 'When the Shoe Doesn’t Fit: Growing Up Asian-American and Adopted in a Southern White Church' by Jaime-Jin Lewis, writer; John Russell Stanger and Ginna Bairby, editors
- Long Format (1200 words or more) Personal Experience or 1st Person Account on a News Service, Website or Blog, Award of Excellence for 'A Life of Grace (or Why My Family Lives in an Intentional Community)' byMark Van Steenwyk, writer; KC Kye and Ginna Bairby, editors