DALLAS (4/23/08) — DisciplesWorld, an independent journal of news, opinion, and mission for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), received seven awards including runner-up in the category of best denominational magazine during the annual meeting of the Associated Church Press.

In choosing DisciplesWorld for the Award of Merit, the second-place award, judge Ken Waters noted: “Given budget challenges, DisciplesWorld does an amazing job of designing and presenting a top-notch four-color publication. While many articles deal with tough social issues, the information is presented in a challenging and inspiring manner, providing a great service to readers.” Waters is a professor of journalism at Pepperdine University.

Frances Moore Parker’s poem “Soft drink religion” (April 2007) received the Award of Merit in the poetry category.  

The June 2007 issue, with its theme, “Suffer the Children: Helping kids in crisis,” won honorable mention awards for overall design and magazine cover.  Honorable mentions also went to Thandiwe Gobledale’s article, “A child of missionaries…then and now” (October 2007) in the category of short-format personal experience article; “A Time for Peace” (November 2007) by Jean Kinsey, in the short format devotional/inspirational category; and Catherine Cavanagh’s “The gift of the blind” (December 2007) in the seasonal article category.

“These awards are not only an affirmation of the work we do at DisciplesWorld, but also an affirmation of the witness of the whole Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),” said Verity A. Jones, the magazine's editor and publisher.

Jones’ sister, Serene Jones, won an Award of Merit in the long-format theological reflection category for “What Do We Desire? The Future of Faith and Citizenship,” published in Reflections, the magazine of Yale Divinity School. Serene Jones is a Disciple and Yale professor, and in July will become the first female president of Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

The Associated Church Press was founded in 1916 and is the oldest interdenominational religious press association in North America, according to its website. This year's conference took place April 20-23 in Dallas. The group’s next annual meeting will be in Indianapolis in May of 2009.