This blog is maintained on behalf of the Amy Foundation for the purpose of tracking the best Christian journalism we find on the Web. Our posts regularly identify those news articles or opinions in the mainstream media that represent good faith-based writing and example them for other Christian journalists.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Qualifying Article in the Cincinnati Inquirer

Here is a tribute in the Cincinnati Inquirer written for Katie Reider, an up-and-coming Christian musician who recently passed away. “Katie Reider still connects,” was written by Lauren Bishop and appeared today, July 27, 2008.

Bishop writes:
Through it all - her career as a singer and songwriter; her life as a mother, partner, sister and daughter; and her two-year battle with a rare tumor that took away her vision in her left eye, her voice and ultimately her life - Katie Reider wanted to be three things: Real. Transparent. Vulnerable.

That was the message that Reider's longtime friend, Dan Stroeh, delivered Saturday to the 900 people who filled the lower level of Crossroads church in Oakley to remember her. The Montgomery native died July 14 in New Jersey at age 30.

By all accounts, Reider succeeded. Her realness, transparency and vulnerability shone through in the lyrics of her songs on four albums, but even more so when she performed those songs live. She had an extraordinary ability to connect with her audience, friends and family members say.
Read more>>
Bishop’s story is well written and connects with an audience beyond those who new Reider (I didn’t, but I was touched by the article).

The article is an excellent example of the type of stories we promote with the Amy Writing Awards, for which the article qualifies. Bishop smartly includes Reider’s favorite scripture verse by quoting Reider’s longtime friend, Dan Stroeh, who spoke at her memorial service:
Reider was tired, frustrated and sad in her last days, but she took solace in her favorite Bible verse, Joshua 1:9, Stroeh said. The verse, projected large on Crossroads' video screens, reads in part: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
I am going to write Bishop and congratulate on the article and remind her that entry in the Amy Writing Awards is free and writers are allowed to submit 10 articles/opinions per year with a deadline of 12/31/2008 for publication and 1/31/2009 for entry submission.

Keep up the good writing, Lauren!

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