wfn.org | Lutheran Named Religion News Service Editor

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 23, 1997

ANDERSON NAMED RNS EDITOR

David E. Anderson, 55, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, became editor of the Religion News Service (RNS) on Jan. 1 in
Washington, D.C.  He succeeds Joan Connell, 49, who will continue as
RNS senior editor after moving to Seattle.  "Dave Anderson has the soul
of a newsman, the mind of a theologian and a well-earned reputation as
a journalist of integrity, intelligence and depth,? said Connell.  Anderson is
a member of Community of Christ, Washington, D.C., an ecumenical
fellowship within which there is a congregation of the ELCA.  "We have
a staff of dedicated experts in all areas of religion and spiritual life who
have put RNS at the cutting edge of religion journalism,? he said.
Anderson became the RNS Washington correspondent in 1992.  The
Minneapolis native spent 24 years as a Washington correspondent for
United Press International, becoming UPI's religion editor in 1974.  RNS
was established in 1934 by the National Conference of Christians and
Jews.  In 1983 it was purchased by the communications arm of the
United Methodist Church.  In 1994 Newhouse News Service bought RNS
and moved its offices from New York to Washington.  RNS serves local
and national broadcast organizations, more than 100 daily newspapers
and more than 200 religious publications and organizations.