Title: Lutheran Named Religion News Service Editor 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.