Wangerin's Latest Book Wins National Award (corrected title)

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Walter M. Wangerin, Jr., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastor, university professor, author and speaker has been named winner of the Theologos Award for the Best Children's Book of 1999.
     Wangerin was recognized for his book, "Water, Come Down," published this year by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis.
     The award was announced at a meeting of the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature, held in Boston.
     The Theologos Award is the latest of several for Wangerin, who is writer-in-residence and Emil and Efriede Jochum University Professor at Valparaiso (Ind.) University, a national independent Lutheran university.  Wangerin is also known for his work as speaker for the ELCA radio program "Lutheran Vespers," and regular columnist for The Lutheran, the magazine of the ELCA.
     Wangerin has written more than 25 books, some of which have received awards.  They include The New York Times' Best Children's Book of the Year and the American Book Award, both for "The Book of the Dun Cow"; Campus Life Editor's Choice for "The Book of Sorrows"; and several Gold Medallion Book Awards for "Ragman and Other Cries of Faith," "Potter," "As for Me and My House," "Reliving the Passion," and "The Book of God."
     In addition to his work at Valparaiso and with "Lutheran Vespers" and The Lutheran, Wangerin is a frequent lecturer at universities and conferences.

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