The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for our May 2019 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on God so loved the whole world.

Description of the theme:

In Genesis 1, the world God created is called “good” seven times. In Genesis 2:15, God puts Adam in the Garden of Eden “to till it and keep it.” Despite the goodness of God’s creation and the call to till and keep (preserve) it, the Earth today is suffering. Humanity’s mistreatment of the Earth is having grave consequences for humans across the globe. And those consequences fall more severely on poorer nations and people. The rise of capitalism and materialism has contributed to the suffering of the Earth and of many people.

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

• How do you view your relationship with God’s creation? Tell us how you came to that view.
• What practices have helped you be more responsible in your relationship with God’s creation?
• What scriptures speak to you about our responsibility to care for God’s creation? What does that mean to you in how you relate to your community today?
• How do you experience care from the earth? How does the earth sustain you and your community?
• How do you love the land without giving in to capitalism? What does owning land mean in a country where the land we live on was taken by theft?
• How does your congregation or faith community practice care for God’s creation, both internally and externally? What makes those practices possible?

Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than April 4.

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.