Women of the ELCA staff received a total of 26 awards from two religion communicator organizations, including four Best in Class, three Category Winner and 10 Award of Excellence awards. The Religion Communicators Council and Associated Church Press honored Women of the ELCA, Boldcafé and Gather magazine for work completed in 2025.
DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards from Religion Communicators Council:
Logos and Branding – Single Work category winner, Logo and promotional items for the 2026 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering, Elizabeth McBride, designer; Jennifer Hockenbery, project manager.
Specialized campaigns award of merit, Beloved: WELCA Campus Ambassador Program,
Elizabeth McBride, writer and designer, Jennifer Hockenbery, writer.
Magazine: Article or Story – Single Work category winner, Gather magazine, “And God saw Hagar,” Cornelia Kästner-Meyer, author, Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Illustration: Cover or Feature – Single Work category winner, Gather magazine, Mary Magdalene image, the Rev. Stacy Boorn, artist; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Artwork best in class, Gather magazine, Mary Magdalene image, the Rev. Stacy Boorn, artist; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Magazine: Cover or Feature Item – Single Work award of excellence, Gather magazine, “A history of religious freedom,” Dr. Laura Gifford author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Best of the Church Press Awards from Associated Church Press
Best in Class – Blog – Personal Website Content award of excellence, Boldcafe, “Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Relatives,” Prairie Rose Seminole and Wanda Frenchman, authors; Elizabeth McBride, editor and designer.
Best in Class – Newsletter honorable mention, Boldcafe April, May and August 2025, Elizabeth McBride, editor and designer.
Best in Class – Denominational or Other Special Interest Magazine honorable mention, Gather magazine Spring, Summer and Fall 2025, Andrea Fowler, designer; Elizabeth Hunter, editor, Cindy Novak, managing editor.
International Reporting (short format) award of excellence, Gather magazine, “And God saw Hagar,” Cornelia Kästner-Meyer, author, Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
In-Depth Coverage: Magazine or Journal award of merit, Gather magazine, “What are Christians to think about poverty and policy?” Dr. Laura Alexander author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
In-Depth Coverage: Magazine or Journal honorable mention, Gather magazine, “A history of religious freedom,” Dr. Laura Gifford author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Humor award of excellence, Gather magazine, “Dog days of summer,” the Rev. Dr. Christa von Zychlin, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Biblical Interpretation or Lectionary Reflection (long format) award of merit, Gather magazine, “Joy and light followed by fear and flight,” the Rev. Dr. Amanda Brobst-Renaud, author, Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Biblical Interpretation or Lectionary Reflection (short format) award of excellence, Gather magazine, “The power of Pentecost,” Roben Itchoak, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Biblical Interpretation or Lectionary Reflection (short format) award of merit, Boldcafe, “Women of sacred presence: Stories of faith and strength,” the Rev. Dr. Ralen M. Robinson, author, Elizabeth McBride, editor and designer.
Bible Resource award of excellence, Gather magazine, “Money, stewardship and generosity,” the Rev. Dr. Christa von Zychlin, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Bible Resource award of merit, Gather magazine, “Faithfulness,” the Rev. Dr. Denise Rector, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Bible Resource honorable mention, Gather magazine, “Flourishing in relationships,” the Rev. Dr. Brooke Petersen, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Theological reflection (short format) award of excellence, Gather magazine, “Anything to declare?” the Rev. Liv Larson Andrews, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Theological reflection (long format) honorable mention, Gather magazine, “Joy and light followed by fear and flight,” the Rev. Dr. Amanda Brobst-Renaud, author, Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Devotional/Inspirational (short format) award of excellence, Gather magazine, “A pilgrimage in Advent,” Jennifer Grant, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Devotional/Inspirational (short format) honorable mention, Gather magazine, “Repentance opens the door,” Elise Seyfried, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Magazine Cover award of excellence, Gather magazine, Mary Magdalene image, the Rev. Stacy Boorn, artist; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Video Series honorable mention, Gather magazine, “Faithfulness,” the Rev. Dr. Denise Rector, author; Elizabeth Hunter, editor; Cindy Novak, managing editor.
Best Disapproving Letter to the Editor, Gather magazine.