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Religion Forum Index » Christian Methodist Forum » UMNS: UMs win top religion communication awards
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 Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 5:29 am |
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United Methodists win top religion communication awards
Apr. 6, 2004
By Nancye Willis*
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UMNS)-United Methodists figured prominently in the
75th anniversary meeting of the Religion Communicators Council, winning
major awards in the organization's DeRose-Hinkhouse competition and
directing celebratory activities.
The Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston, executive director of the
denomination's welcoming and media ministry, received Best of Class for
"The Gift." The 30-second television commercial is among several that
air three times a year on U.S. cable and broadcast networks as part of
the Igniting Ministry effort, administered by United Methodist
Communications.
United Methodist communicators receiving Awards of Excellence during the
March 25-27 meeting were Alice Smith, editor of the Wesleyan Christian
Advocate, which serves the denomination's North and South Georgia annual
conferences; and Kimberly Pace and Carolyn Dandridge, communication
staff members at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, for the
newsletter Horizon.
The awards were among 90 recognizing exemplary work, chosen out of 275
entries in the competition. This year's RCC convention included a
celebration of the organization's 75th anniversary and opened with a
gala event highlighting the convention's theme, "Looking Back, Looking
Forward."
Larry Hygh, director of communications for the United Methodist
California-Pacific Annual Conference, served as emcee for the evening,
which included music of the decades; a look at communications changes in
the past 75 years; and remembrances of the organization's founders,
distinguished members and milestones. Dressed in 1970s-style clothing,
including an Afro wig and dashiki, Hygh led the group through hand
motions for "peace, love, soul," a popular greeting in the '60s and
'70s.
Shirley Struchen, RCC executive director, noted that the convention
theme was particularly significant to the 20 people attending their
first RCC convention. "It was wonderful to see the networking and
sharing of information between those who are new in the profession and
those who have been in it for 50 years," Struchen, a retiree of United
Methodist Communications, said.
Six aspiring communicators, including Royya James, recipient of the
Judith Weidman Racial Ethnic Minority Fellowship awarded by United
Methodist Communications, attended the convention on scholarship. James
is working in the denomination's Wyoming Annual Conference.
Plenary speakers included Nancy Snow, assistant professor at California
State University-Fullerton, whose keynote address centered on
persuasion, propaganda and faith issues; Mark Pinsky, Orlando Sentinel
columnist and author of The Gospel According to The Simpsons; and Jody
Calendar, Calendar Communications, who works with the Associated Press
in a project examining public perceptions of the accuracy, fairness and
competence of news organizations.
RCC's annual Wilbur Awards, which acknowledge quality work in faith
values and themes in the secular media, were made March 27 in 15
categories. Winners included the Boston Globe newspaper, Minnesota
Public Radio and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.
United Methodist Mike Hickcox, director of communications in the New
England Annual Conference, handed over the president's gavel of the RCC
Board of Governors to Ron Glusenkamp, Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.
New members named to the RCC board of governors included United
Methodist communicators Doug Cannon, Southwest Texas Annual Conference,
and Laura Flippen, Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Other United
Methodists on the board include executive committee members Dan Gangler,
Indiana Area, vice president; Hickcox, immediate past president, and
Struchen, along with Deb Christian, United Methodist Reporter, and Hygh.
Barbara Nissen, United Methodist Communications, rotated off the board
after serving five years.
RCC is an international interfaith association of religion communicators
at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and in public
relations. Founded in 1929, it is the oldest professional organization
of its type.
It promotes excellence in communication of religious faith and values in
the public arena and encourages understanding among religious and faith
groups. RCC has nearly 600 members in 11 chapters in the United States
and at-large membership.
A full listing of winners of the DeRose-Hinkhouse and Wilbur awards is
available on the RCC Web site, www.religioncommunicators.org.
*Willis is editor for the Public Information Team at United Methodist
Communications in Nashville, Tenn. The above release was adapted from
an article by Barbara Nissen, director of United Methodist
Communications' Conference Resourcing Team.
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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org |
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