Covenant News

Companion Named Third Best in North America

CHICAGO, IL (May 11) - For the third time in six years, The Covenant Companion has been named the third best denominational magazine in North America by Associated Church Press (ACP), whose nearly 200 members have a combined readership of several million subscribers.

First and second-place honors went to U.S. Catholic and Presbyterians Today magazines respectively.

The ACP also recognized The Covenant Companion with eight additional honors in its "Best of the Christian Press" awards. The awards covered content published during calendar 2005 that was created not only by staff writers, but also by Covenanters across the denomination - including readers who contribute letters to the editor that appear in the popular "Our Readers Write" column.

"The judges - top journalists and professors in their own right - point out in their comments what readers of the Companion have known all along - the Companion offers content that is not only timely and relevant to the needs of everyday life, but does so with extraordinary depth and insight that is characteristic of top-quality magazines," says Don Meyer, executive minister of the Department of Communication that produces the magazine.

"It is one thing to feel confident in your own work, but it is gratifying to see that effort affirmed by respected colleagues who are leaders in this field," Meyer adds. "Of course, our best critics are our readers - we are appreciative of their feedback and support through the years that has contributed to the excellence of the magazine."

Following is a list of the additional Companion awards and judges' comments.

Letters to the Editor - The section "Our Readers Write," edited by Managing Editor Jane K. Swanson-Nystrom, received a first-place award. "The letters in 'Our Readers Write' show great interaction with the articles and offer new insight," writes judge Collin Hansen, associate editor of "This section makes it obvious that the magazine stimulates thought and dialogue. Featuring page layouts from previous articles tops off clear, attractive design."

Theological Reflection: Long Format - Covenant Pastor Philip Stenberg won first place for "Where is God?" that was written in response to the December 2004 tsunami disaster. "A masterful and profound meditation on a confounding and confusing issue," writes judge Mickey G. Maudlin, editorial director of Harper- San Francisco. "It is difficult to say something fresh, comforting, and wise in light of a global tragedy, but the church needs to and he did." Stenberg is pastor of Bethlehem Evangelical Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The article appeared in the February issue.

Feature Article: Denominational General Interest Magazine - Features Editor Bob Smietana earned second place for his article "2,352 Hours of Prayer," which told the story of a Covenant church's prayer ministry that has sparked an ecumenical movement across Kansas City. "A strong, engaging lead is just the beginning," writes judge Pamela Hill Nettleton, author of 24 books and a contributor to and Family Fun magazines. The story appeared in the February issue.

News Story: Magazine - Staff writer Stan Friedman earned second place for his news feature "Grace Under Fire" that appeared in the September issue. "This is a moving, seldom-told story about the emotions of chaplaincy working in battle conditions in Iraq," observes judge Ray Waddle, columnist and author who for 17 years served as religion editor for The Tennessean and currently teaches at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville. "Readers get a sense of the daily rhythms and danger of the work, as well as the mental and theological test of war."

Theme Issue: Magazine - "How Do You Spell Relief," the November issue edited by Smietana and Swanson-Nystrom, earned an honorable mention from judge Nancy L. Roberts, a journalism professor at the University of New York in Albany.

Biographical Profile - Smietana earned an honorable mention for "Confirming Aaron," which told the story of a church embracing a student with a rare genetic condition. The story, which appeared in the August issue, was judged by Peter J. Jacobi, professor emeritus and Visiting Riley Professor at Indiana University's School of Journalism.

Personal Experience: Short Format - Contributor Janis Anderson Rueping earned second place for "Irene Prayed," the story of a Sunday school teacher as told by a student who had benefited from her educator's daily prayers. "This is a lovely tribute to a special person who might have been overlooked," writes judge Dale Hanson Bourke, author of seven books and a columnist for Religion News Service. Rueping is vice president of quality improvement and risk management at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, which is administered by Covenant Ministries of Benevolence of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). The story appeared in the August issue.

Professional Resource - Attorney Rob Hall earned a second place award for "The Risky Business of Prayer," which outlined increasingly litigated privacy issues related to sharing prayer requests. "Helpful article on what it means to bear each others' burdens," writes judge Jim Manney, senior editor at Loyola Press. Hall is the associate director of land, facilities, and finance for the ECC's Department of Church Growth and Evangelism. The article appeared in the January issue.    

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