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Te whakatakoto o ōna kupu

AN INVITATION

We are now inviting submissions for the Dec 2024 issue of Refresh on the theme of ‘Humility’. Essays, poetry, imagery, articles, prayer practices, reflections and prayers on this theme will all be considered. Please read the theme exploration below and email your submission to Refresh Editor, Katrina Tulip by September 16, 2024.

Refresh, December 2024

Humility

Ford Madox Brown, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Foster, a long-time seeker of spiritual transformation, recently published a book entitled Learning Humility. When asked in an interview why he wrote it, he remarked that while humility has been a basic virtue throughout the centuries, it’s sadly lacking in our own. So, let’s pick up on his concern and give this oft-ignored virtue our attention.

  • What is humility and what place does it have within the contemplative journey?

  • Within Christian discipleship? Service? Leadership?

  • How do we foster this countercultural virtue?

  • Where do you discern the humility of God at work in the world?

  • What is your response to the way Jesus, the Cosmic Christ and Eternal Word, humbled himself to live a human life, from beginning to end?

  • How does humility affect the way we relate to self? God? Others? The Earth?

  • Who, past or present, has inspired and influenced you with their humility?

Deadline for Submissions

Please send submissions by 16th September 2024 to Katrina Tulip at katrinat.refresh@gmail.com. Katrina Tulip is lead editor of Refresh Dec 2024, while Kathryn Overall-Cass is on maternity leave.

 

Katrina Tulip, Refresh Editor Dec 2024

Guidelines for Contributors

Note: The Refresh editor will edit contributions in accordance with Refresh’s contemplative kaupapa, our house style and to work within space restraints.

  • Keep submissions to fewer than 1500 words

  • Send as a Word document

  • Leave one space between sentences

  • Use single quotation marks

  • Be conversational in style

  • Use conjunctions where possible

  • Use endnotes instead of footnotes

  • Use inclusive language wherever possible

  • Send images as attachments - at least 2MB

  • Send a brief bio (40 words) in a separate Word document to your submission

  • Send a head and shoulders photo (2MB) as a separate email attachment
    (not embedded in a Word document).    

 

Insights from Refresh Reader Survey

The seven most popular regular content features people voted to see in Refresh are:

  1. A contemplative prayer practice to explore.

  2. Essay: a contemplative perspective on a contemporary issue

  3. Contemplative Book Corner: highlighting noteworthy books on spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality.

  4. Contemplative poetry

  5. Kete of Knowledge: weaving voices and perspectives from Aotearoa’s multi-cultural threads.

  6. An emerging voice or trend within spiritual direction

  7. Theological reflection on contemplative spirituality.

While Refresh remains primarily a journal of contemplative spirituality, given that over 50% of our readers are spiritual directors (or in formation) we do intend to make space for content related to spiritual direction.