April 11, 2008

CHANTILLY, Va. – Religion communicators with United Methodist ties earned 14 of the 2008 DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards presented by the Religion Communicators Council.

Members of the international interfaith organization submitted 330 entries in the contest, which honors excellence in religion communications and public relations. The awards were presented April 3 during the association's annual meeting.

Robin Russell, Bill Fentum, Mary Jacobs and Kristin Del Mul of United Methodist Reporter received two awards of excellence in the national newspaper category of the periodicals class. Other awards of excellence winners were:

Kristin Del Mul, United Methodist Reporter/UMR Communications, "Power of Print" flier; Mike DuBose, United Methodist Communications, "United Methodist 2008 program calendar" cover color photo; David W. Reid, national newsletter, Vital Theology; and Patti Simmons, Texas Methodist Foundation, Common Table brochure and Common Table-2006 Texas Methodist Foundation Annual Report.

Receiving awards of merit were:

• Kathy L. Gilbert, United Methodist News Service, writing for the Web;

• Stephen J. Hustedt and Valerie Maravolo, Desert Southwest Conference, Web site;

• Mary Jacobs, United Methodist Reporter, news story;

• Harry T. Leake, United Methodist Communications, promotional video;

• Robin Russell, United Methodist Reporter, news series and single feature story;

• Wendy Whiteside, Sean Grandits and Terri Chang, United Methodist

• Board of Global Ministries, public relations/advertising campaign.

Religion Communicators Council members work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. Members promote excellence in the communication of religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups.

United Methodist News Service