The annual Polly Bond awards of the Episcopal Communicators organisation in the United States were announced on April 20th during a meeting at Camp Allen in the Diocese of Texas.

Anglican World, the official magazine of the Anglican Communion, won certificates for cover design, the pilgrimage supplement 2000 and photography. Mrs Phoebe Griswold received a Polly Bond for her article on Mary and the Secretary General, the Revd Canon John L. Peterson, received an award for "Bethlehem" - an entry from his quarterly column in this magazine published by the Anglican Consultative Council in London.

Editor Jim Rosenthal was on hand to accept the awards during the proceedings in the new All Saints Chapel at the Episcopal Centre near Houston. Canon Rosenthal said, "What a thrill to be surrounded by so many talented communicators and to be honoured by this important organisation in this generous way. For a small operation like Anglican World this is a real boost to our morale and to our ministry. It is full steam ahead!"

Other items submitted to the awards competition, though not receiving certificates, were critiqued by judges in a way that the editor feels was "helpful, instructive and supportive". The Last Word column was seen by the judges as "warm, sincere and interesting" with a special mention of the entry "Come up higher", an account of a visit to Bec Abbey in France and an encounter with people from the L'Arche Community.

The poster "Church in Danger" (Jerusalem 2000 campaign), created by Andy Day of Canterbury with photos by the editor, was also singled out for its strong message and clarity of image.