The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church is pleased to announce its recipient of the 2018 Nelson R. Burr Prize, Dr. Emilie Amt. Emilie is Hildegarde Pilgram Professor of History at Hood College, Frederick, Maryland. She earned a B.A. from Swarthmore College and a D.Phil from Oxford University.

She is honored for her article entitled “Down from the Balcony: African Americans and Episcopal Congregations in Washington County, Maryland, 1800-1864” published in the March 2017 issue of Anglican and Episcopal History.

While her professional focus specializes in the experience of religious women and in 12th- and 13th-century English government, finance and war, for the last eight years she has been researching slavery in western Maryland. This work grew out of a desire at her church, St. Mark Episcopal Church-Lappans in Boonsboro, Maryland, to know more about the enslaved people who attended when it was built in 1849. Her work has also contributed to the Truth & Reconciliation project and Trail of Souls Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Maryland. Her most recent book is The Latin Cartulary of Godstow Abbey, published by Oxford University Press for the British Academy in 2014.

The Burr prize honors the renowned scholar Nelson R. Burr, whose two-volume A Critical Bibliography of Religion in America (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1961) and other works constitute landmarks in the field of religious historiography. Each year a committee of the Society selects the author of the most outstanding article in the Society's journal, Anglican and Episcopal History, as recipient. The award also honors that which best exemplifies excellence and innovative scholarship in the field of Anglican and Episcopal history.

Those interested in obtaining a copy of the article may contact Matthew. P. Payne, Director of Operations of the Society at administration@hsec.us or (920) 383-1910.

Anglican and Episcopal History will launch a digital edition in 2018. This quarterly journal of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church has been published since 1932. AEH seeks to raise the level of discussion, provide a forum for exchange of ideas, and review books of real worth and of interest to educated Anglicans. Originally published as The Historical Magazine of the Episcopal Church (1932-1986), AEH is composed under the direction of and Editor-in-Chief with Book Review Editor and Church Review Editor providing content in each issue.

The digital edition of AEH will be produced and managed by Sheridan Digital Editions using both the conventional way to convert print publication PDFs into digital counterparts and going a step further with feature-rich HTML5 viewing for desktop or mobile device. Sheridan’s Digital Editions are mobile device compatible with full navigation. Sheridan also produces the print edition of AEH and many of the world’s most prestigious and highly cited STM and Scholarly journals. They have been a part of the movement with an array of solutions for the content continuum, from print to online.

Initially, the digital edition will be an add-on benefit for Society members who continue receiving the print edition. Members will be given the opportunity to stop the print edition during this transition period. The Society's membership model will change in 2019. Members will pay dues and may select a delivery option of print OR digital, print AND digital, or not receiving AEH in any form. The option of non-member digital and/or print delivery will also become available.

Those currently subscribed to AEH through a subscription service will continue receiving the print edition with the digital option becoming available at the next renewal cycle.

The Board of Directors of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church have considered these options for the past few years. With service available through Sheridan, no additional time or effort is necessary from the editors in producing an issue. Many members have been requesting digital delivery as more and more people shift to non-print sources. Our goal is to provide the content in the way it will be most effective for our members and subscribers.

Any questions about the change may be directed to the Director of Operations, Matthew P. Payne at administration@hsec.com.

The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Book Review Editor of Anglican and Episcopal History, seeks individuals willing to write book reviews for the journal. Book Reviewers are volunteers who contribute their time and expertise for the encouragement of research, writing and education on all levels that keeps alive the Church's heritage. Assignments are determined by the Book Review Editor. If you have interest in serving as a reviewer, please complete the form at hsec.us/bookreviews.