2009 Themes
ALIVE NOW: Growing Together in Faith
Alive Now is a devotional magazine that seeks to nourish those who are hungry for a sacred way of living in the world. Our themes celebrate the Christian year, reflect on contemporary issues from a faith perspective, and nurture an embodied spirituality for individuals and groups.
January/February • Due 06/01/08
The Light of the World
We observe Epiphany, January 6, as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the gentiles. A bright, shining star became one of the Christian symbols for Epiphany. In Hebrew scriptures Isaiah teaches that "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Jesus called himself the light of the world; and he also told his hearers they were light to the world. What is this light of life? What does this light provide for the world? What obstacles threaten to extinguish the light? How do we work to preserve the light?
March/April • Due 08/01/08
The Prince of Peace
Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. The hope of Christians everywhere and of all ages is to experience God's peace. With this Lenten issue, we hope to explore the biblical concept of shalom: What is God's peace? How do we work to achieve it? Where have we experienced that peace? What threatens it? What can we learn regarding peace from Jesus' example?
May/June • Due 10/01/08
I Have Called You Friends
More information to come.
July/August • Due 12/01/08
Just War
More information to come.
September/October • Due 2/01/09
Offering Ourselves to God
More information to come.
November/December • Due 4/01/09
Refugees
More information to come.
You are invited to submit reflections, stories, poems, and artwork on these themes. We are most interested in work that reflects the personal experiences and insights of the writer and avoids easy answers or an overly strident tone. We prefer submissions typed into e-mail or attached as Microsoft® Word documents, but also accept mailed submissions. Please include your name, address, and theme on each page of material you send and include a short biographical paragraph. For mailed submissions, unused material will be returned if you include a SASE (include a separate SASE for each theme). You will be notified by U.S. mail if your material is accepted. If we do not publish your e-mail submission, you will be notified by e-mail generally after the publication date of the issue for which it was submitted. We pay a modest honorarium upon publication. Themes are subject to change.
Editor
Alive Now®
P.O. Box 340004
Nashville, TN 37203-0004
e-mail: alivenow@upperroom.org