CONTRIBUTE TO THE MUSTARD SEED CONSPIRACY
The Mustard Seed Conspiracy is an online community publishing anthropological dabblings in faith, doubt, the arts, and humanity. We respond to the overarching question “What does it mean to be human in light of the Kingdom of God?” by creatively reflecting on relevant topics in anthropology from a perspective of faith.
From personal reflections, short narrative and poetry, to visual artwork and song, The Mustard Seed Conspiracy encourages all forms of creative expression.
2020 ADVENT CALENDAR - “LAMENT IN ADVENT”
SUBMISSIONS OPEN
SEEKING WRITTEN AND VISUAL SUBMISSIONS
- OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 24th -
If you'd like to request an extension, please reach out to me at the email address below with the date you will be submitting your piece. Please do not request an extension unless you are 100% sure you will have something to submit at that time. The extension period is open between now and December 1st.
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As we begin to even consider entering in to a time of advent reflection, how can we not feel the grief and the weight of it all? Our deepest human longings are as apparent as ever as they cry out and declare, “this is not how it’s supposed to be.”
Yet, this is how it is. This is where we are.
In his book Closer to the Edge, Ron Ruthruff writes that “lament actively declares the way things are.”
This year, I’d love to invite you to reflect on an Advent that actively declares the way things are. I invite you to press in and engage with the lament that attempts to hold the tension of god-as-child born into the thick of human brokenness.
As 2020 comes to a close, can we dare to believe that something revolutionary is upon us? Can we sit in the unsettlement of revealed broken systems and trust that it is good?
We know that Spirit came as Child to break down unjust systems, give fresh words of life to the poor, and set free the shackled in heart, mind, and body.
May this be our hope.
PROMPT:
Read the introduction above. Take time to reflect on “an Advent that actively delares the way things are.” Press in and engage with that lament. Ponder the tension found in god-as-child being born into the thick of human brokenness.
We want to give you space to lament with little prompting, and allow room to respond and create out of that space.
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As usual, we are looking for both written responses and visual responses that will be paired together to create a daily digital Advent Calender. For each day of Advent, a new contribution will be published on the blog and in a daily e-mail to followers. Pieces will also be promoted on social media platforms. See below for submissions guidelines.
May we find the peace of the season in the responses of another.
Check out last year’s completed calendar here.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS:
- Please submit only original works. Preference goes toward pieces written specifically with the prompt in mind.
- Word count: No less thatn 250 words and no more than 1,600.
- We are looking to publish unique reflections, commentary, narrative, or poetry that is concise and rich in thought. Preference is given to entries that evoke both a sense of longing and hope, touching on the paradox of the human experience.
- Please include sources to any quotes, references or resources mentioned in your work that are not your own. Provide a link to this source, if possible.
FOR VISUAL ART / MUSICAL SUBMISSIONS
- Please submit only original works created within the past 3 years. Preference goes toward pieces created specifically with the prompt in mind.
- With your piece, please submit a brief artist statement/reflection explaining the work’s basic ideas, and how the theme/topic at hand is presented in the work. Artist statements must touch upon the theme/topic you’re submitting for in some way.
- Additionally, please e-mail a high-quality .jpg or .pdf files of your visual art to kaitlyn@themustardseedconspiracy.com.
Please note all submitted entries will be carefully considered for publication, but not all may be chosen to be published. After your submission has been reviewed, we will be in touch to let you know of the status of your piece. All submissions are subject to editing for length, grammar, style, and tone.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US:
The Mustard Seed Conspiracy is highly invested in its contributors. You are what make this a communal, collective project that reflects the beautiful patchwork of humanity. We are committed to fully supporting each published guest contributor by promoting them and their work or current projects through a variety of social media platforms. The more content provided, the better we can promote the contributor and their work. Additionally, any current creative efforts or initiatives will be highly supported and promoted by The Mustard Seed Conspiracy, with discretion from the editors.
TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY, COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW:
If you have any questions regarding the submissions process, please contact kaitlyn@themustardseedconspiracy.com.