‘Reporter,’ ‘Lutheran Witness’ win eight ACP awards

The Synod’s official periodicals, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, received a total of eight “Best of the Christian Press Awards” from the Associated Church Press (ACP) for work published in 2012.

The awards — presented during the ACP’s April 3-5 conference in Indianapolis — include an Award of Merit (second place) to The Lutheran Witness in the category of “Best in Class, Mobile Publication.” Named on the award are James H. Heine, executive editor; Adriane Dorr, managing editor; and Vicky Schaeffer, senior designer.

The digital edition of the magazine — adapted by Concordia Publishing House for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers — debuted in December. The accompanying mobile application is a product of CPH’s Emerging Products division.

The Witness also won two Honorable Mention (third place) Awards for:

“10 Minutes with Colonel Bud Day,” by Jeni Miller, in the “Interview” category. Miller is a freelance writer and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“December Letters,” in the “Letters to the Editor” category.

Reporter won five awards:

In the category of “Feature Article: News Service/Newsletter/Website/Blog,” an Award of Merit for “Asperger’s awareness tour includes cities nationwide,” by Paula Schlueter Ross of the LCMS Communications staff. Also in that category, Reporter received an Honorable Mention for “Pioneering housing in Brooklyn continues to open doors,” by Kim Plummer Krull, a freelance writer and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo.

In the “News Story: Newspaper” category, an Honorable Mention for “Church’s neighborhood-renewal role earns honor,” also by Krull.

In the category of “News Story: News Service/Newsletter/Website/Blog,” an Honorable Mention for “Symposium: ‘Relationships’ can lead to multi-ethnic congregations,” by Ross.

An Honorable Mention also was received in the category of “Convention or Meeting Coverage: News Service/Newsletter/Website/Blog” for “Conference addresses rural challenges, opportunities,” by James H. Heine, retiring director of News and Information for LCMS Communications.

Concordia Journal, a publication of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, won three ACP awards for work in 2012, including an Award of Excellence (first place) in the “Publication Website” category for its website at concordiatheology.org. Named in the top award were the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, executive editor; the Rev. Travis Scholl, editor; Ken Kogler, technology; and Dale Ward and Shannon Wiseman, video production.

The Journal also received two Honorable Mentions: in the “Best in Class: Journal” category, and in the “Theological Reflection: Long Format” category for “From the margins to the table: an Anglo Lutheran’s journey into North American Hispanic-Latino theologies,” by the Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Groll, professor emeritus at the seminary.

Founded in 1916, the ACP is the oldest interdenominational religious press association in North America. To learn more about the ACP, visit theacp.org.