Contact: Mary Dickey, Director of Communications, 212-870-1046, mdickey@odysseynetworks.org; Desiree Frieson, Communications Manager, 212-870-1053, dfrieson@odysseynetworks.org; both with Odyssey Networks 

NEW YORK, April 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Leading communicators from faith organizations worldwide converged on Chicago last week for the once-a-decade Religion Communicators Congress. Among the highlights of the three-day event was the presentation of the 2010 DeRose Hinkhouse Memorial Awards for excellence in communications and public relations. The prizes are awarded annually by the Religion Communicators Council.

Odyssey Networks, the nation's largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to the production and distribution of media promoting dialogue between faith traditions, peace and social justice, claimed honors in several categories as did a number of its members. The honorees included:

Odyssey Networks -- Awards of Excellence in the Non-broadcast Audio/Video category for Faith at the Summit, video coverage of the world’s faith leaders in action at the December 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen ; Broadcast Audio/Video category for the "Messengers of Peace," a PSA supporting Odyssey's "Million Minutes for Peace" campaign; and the new Social Media category for the "Million Minutes for Peace" campaign on Twitter, Facebook and in email.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America -- Top honors (Best of Class) in the Non-broadcast Audio/Video category for Apostle of Love, Hope and Reconciliation, featuring the work of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The program's producer Marissa P. Costidis, Managing Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America, accepted the award along with Certificates of Merit in the categories of writing, graphic design, and broadcast audio/video for a number of the organization's other projects.

Diva Communications -- Top honors (Best of Class) and the Award of Excellence in the Broadcast Audio/Video category for A Place for All: Faith and Community For Persons with Disabilities. Producer Debra Gonsher Vinik accepted the award. The film was made possible by funding from a number of supporters, including Odyssey Networks.

Intersections International  Award of Excellence in the Internet Communications category for The TE'A Project: Under the Veil, which  uses interactive theatre to inspire young people to cross the barriers of race, class, culture, and religion in America's communities. The Rev. Robert Chase, Founding Director of Intersections, accepted the award.

Medical Mission Sisters-Two Awards of Excellence in the Public Relations Material category for the Medical Mission Sisters 2010 Calendar and A Reconciliation Prayer.

About Odyssey Networks
Odyssey Networks is the nation's largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that promotes peace and tolerance and addresses issues of social justice.  Established in 1987, Odyssey Networks is a service of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. For more information visit www.odysseynetworks.org.