The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for our July 2019 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on The Breath of God restores us.

This issue will get special attention as it will be available at MennoCon19.

Description of the theme:

In John 20:19-23, the Scripture featured in worship at MennoCon19, the Mennonite Church USA convention in July, Jesus visits his disciples after his resurrection. Verse 22 says that “he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” In Hebrew and Greek, the word for breath and spirit are the same. Thus, the Breath of God can mean the Spirit of God. The Renewed Commitments for Mennonite Church USA says, “The Holy Spirit beckons us toward the restoration of all things in Christ.” The Holy Spirit restores our lives—both individually and communally.

Submissions may consider one of the following prompts/questions, among others:

• How have you experienced the restoring power of the Breath of God (the Holy Spirit)? Tell us your story and be sure to include the voices of all involved, with their permission.
• How have you experienced restoration in your congregation? Describe how what you have witnessed as evidence of the Spirit’s activity.
• Where do you see, hear or feel the evidence of restoration happening within the Mennonite church?
• How has your understanding or experience of the Holy Spirit changed over the years? What influenced those changes?
• What practices have helped you be more aware of the Spirit’s presence with you and/or with your congregation?
• What is your theological/biblical interpretation of restoration by the Holy Spirit?

Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than June 5.

We welcome articles—personal stories, biblical or theological reflections, stories about your congregation, and more (800-1,200 words)—as well as original photography, videos and artwork on the theme. Please note we are committed to anti-oppression reviews as part of our editorial process. When developing your submission, please review our updated anti-oppression guidelines as well as our editorial guidelines.