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Identify an audience. (e.g. high school students through school religion departments or parish religion education programs.)
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Invite co-sponsors. (e.g. arch/diocesan ecumenical office, local Council of Churches, arch/diocesan newspaper)
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Select a theme. (Consider using the scriptural theme of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.)
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Determine the length of an eligible essay. (Co-sponsors, especially if there are plans to publish winning essays, are most helpful.)
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Make a promotion plan. (e.g. advertisements in church publications, parish bulletins.)
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Assemble judges. (Make sure the judges are ecumenically as well as contestant sensitive; don't overlook the religion writer for the local paper.)
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Determine the number of winners. (and, if necessary, the number of categories.)
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Provide prizes. (e.g. gift certificate or cash prize as well as publication)
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Choose publication venue. (e.g. the arch/diocesan newspaper and/or local newspaper.)
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Arrange for an awards ceremony. (e.g. a school assemble, meeting of the local ministerial association.)
