Lutheran publications win honors

Lutheran, The, Jun 2004

ELCA publications and journalists received awards for work completed in 2003 from the Associated Church Press in April.

The Lutheran garnered nine awards, including two first-place honors. Art by Karen Barbour to accompany "Is homosexuality another expression of God's creation?" (March) won for illustration and Martin Adler's work for "Born into war" (December) took first in the photography category.

"ELCA assembly: Prayers for healing" by The Lutheran's staff (October) earned second place for convention coverage. David L. Miller received second-place honors for "Where Christmas comes" (December) for theological reflection-short format.

The magazine received five honorable mentions: feature article, "Out of the fog, into the sunshine" by Rob Blezard (July); theme section, "Beyond words" by The Lutheran staff and Gail Ramshaw (April); personal experience-long format, "Imprint for Eternity" by Sonia C. Solomonson (November); professional resource, "Living water" by Julie B. Sevig (March); and scholarly article, "The American way in the presence of fear" by Larry Rasmussen (January).

Lutheran Woman Today won first place for feature with "For all the Saints" by Deborah McConomy-Wallace (November). second-place awards went to "I Thank God for You: Forming Community with Paul" by Robin Mattison (June/July/August) for Bible study and to "Who is God Like? designed by On Track Communications (May) for story/spread design.

The magazine received four honorable mentions: best in class Acorn Award for its e-zine Cafe-Stirring the Spirit Within, edited by Nancy GoIdberger and designed by Elizabeth McBride; in-depth coverage and theme issue for "Fair Trade" by Nancy GoIdberger and Barbara Hofmaier (Octo-ber); and devotional/inspirational-short format, "The History of Us" by Marj Leegard (January/February).

Other winners include :

* seeds for the Parish, Kate Spratta Elliott, editor; honorable mention for newsletter.

* Lutheran Partners, second place in the feature category for "Contemporary Christian Music: What Can We Learn?" by Mark Allan Powell.

* ELCA News Service, honorable mention for in-depth coverage for "2003 ELCA Ecumenical Journey" by John Brooks (March 18-April 7).

* Forum Letter, second place in editorial and opinion for "A Press Release for Congress" and in convention coverage for "The Mark Hanson Show: ELC A Lutherans at Milwaukee."

* Two Lutheran agencies are coordinating efforts for Lutheran Disaster Response in the wake of 19 tornadoes that struck Illinois in mid-April. Hardest hit was Utica, a small community of 1,000. Eight people, aged 18 to 81, died when the tavern in which they sought shelter collapsed. Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois were in contact with congregations to assess damages. Nearby Trinity Lutheran Church, Ottawa, Ill., offered hotel rooms and quilts.

* Pentecost will hopefully be quieter at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jasper (Haysville), Ind., this year. While Wilmer Mailman, pastor, began making announcements last year, the velvet curtain behind the altar started on fire. After two tries at putting out the fire-eventually managed with fire extinguishers-Mailman proceeded to the children's sermon, where he related the story of the tongues of fire. he lit candles on a small cake that soon was ablaze. The children tried to blow them out, but the candles weren't extinguishable. As witness Lora Williams wrote, "Anything that occurred after that was superfluous." Mailman says he has "no intention of sending [the videotaped service] to America's Funniest Home Videos."

* In an April 21 letter to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod's rostered leaders, Bishop David R. Strobel said hospital blood tests following a car accident last October revealed that he had an alcohol level exceeding the legal limit. No one was injured in the one-car accident, for which Strobel said he continues to be thankful. Strobel waived a hearing before the district judge. he expressed regret, saying he willingly accepts the consequences: a rehabilitation program, community service and suspension of driving privileges for 30 to 60 days. he said he is working with a spiritual director and counselor to deal with the issues that led to his "unhealthy and dangerous behaviors."

* Sabine O'Hara was selected 10th president of Roanoke College, Salem, Va., effective in june. She is the first woman to serve as president of Roanoke and the third female president of an ELCA college. Bom in Germany, O'Hara earned a doctorate in environmental economics from the University of Gottingen. Previously she was academic vice president and dean of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

* John R. Sebentsfeldt, 48, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced April 26 to a year in jail and 25 years of supervised probation for molesting a girl in 2002. Former pastor of Bigfork Lutheran, Grand Rapids, Minn., Sebentsfeldt resigned from the ELCA roster and congregation, which he had served since 1991.