Manya A. Brachear, religion reporter for the Chicago Tribune and a double Wilbur Award winner in 2009, is master of ceremonies for the April 9 event.

Photo by George Conklin

Bob Abernethy, longtime host of PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, receives a special Lifetime Achievement Wilbur Award for contributions to public discussion of faith topics.

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.

Photo by George Conklin

Peter Smith, accepts the Wilbur Award in the Newspapers: Feature Story category for his story "Young Muslims after 9/11" published in The Courier Journal, Louisville, Ky.

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.

Photo by George Conklin

Laura Kwerel, writer/producer, and Katie Davis, editor, receive the Wilbur Award in Radio for "The Soundscapes of Faith," Interfaith Voices, Brentwood, Md.

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award to Kwerel.

Photo by George Conklin

Randy Biery, photography, and Fran Riley, reporter, KWQC-TV, Davenport, Iowa receive the Wilbur Award in the Television: Local News category for "Shepherd Me Oh God."

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award to Biery.

Photo by George Conklin

Erin Lyall George, producer of "Peace on Earth," CBS Evening News: Weekend Edition, accepts the Wilbur Award in the Television: National News category on behalf of herself and John Blackstone, correspondent; and Patricia Shevlin, executive producer.

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.

Photo by George Conklin

Kim Lawton, correspondent, and Judy Reynolds, producer, accept the Wilbur Award in the Television, National News Magazine category for Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, "Wintley Phipps."

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.

Photo by George Conklin

Jeb Stuart, accepts the Wilbur Award in the Film category for "Blood Done Sign My Name," Paladin and Real Folk Productions, written and directed by Jeb Stuart.

Douglas Cannon, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.

Photo by George Conklin

Eric Shafer, Wilbur Awards coordinator and senior vice president of Odyssey Networks in New York City, holds a cell phone near the microphone for acceptance remarks from award winners who could not be present.

Winners accepting by phone included:

• David Waters for "Under God," The Washington Post, winner of Wilbur Award in the Newspapers: Blogs category.
• Lisa Miller, Newsweek, winner of Wilbur Award in the Magazines: Columns category.

Photo by George Conklin

Wilbur Award recipients who could not be present and accepted their awards via video include:

• Mindy Rubenstein for "Faith in Motion," St. Petersburg Times (FL) — Wilbur Award in Newspapers: Series.
• Mitch Albom for "Have A Little Faith," Hyperion — Wilbur Award in Books category
• Simcha Jacobovici, "Science of the Soul," Associated Producers, Toronto Canada — Wilbur Award in Television Documentary category.
• Tracey O'Shaughnessy, "Sunday Reflections," Republican-American, Waterbury, CT — Wilbur Award in Newspapers: Column category.
• Paul Starobin for "The Rise of the Godless," National Journal — Wilbur Award in Magazines: Article category.
• John Sherffius, Daily Camera, Boulder, CO — Wilbur Award in Editorial Cartoons.

Photo by George Conklin