Introducing Macalla

One of things I love about our church in DC is people's readiness to honestly share their lives - past, present, future, good, bad, broken, redeemed. I also love that it is full humble, highly creative humanoids. Back in 2013 Natasha Kolar and I starting talking about a place where these two facets of our community could come together. And so, St Brendan's in the City online literary and arts journal called Macalla was born.

Macalla (meaning 'echo' in Irish) carries the tag line "In the voice of the community I hear the echo of myself." This concept reflects the dual reality of common themes that resonant around the community in a season and then how we are enriched and transformed by hearing the experience of those themes in individual lives.

The creative team headed by editor, Natasha Kolar, identify the theme for each edition then the community are invited to submit their stories using whatever medium they desired. All submissions are included after editorial support, and all ages are invited to take part.

The current edition that went live yesterday is about "Home"  - a particular passion of mine! I was very excited to write the introduction to this edition - which you can read on the Macalla welcome page. It starts with a quote:

“The ache for home lives in all of us. 

The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”  

(Maya Angelou, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoe) 

It is my prayer for the readers of Macalla and this blog that God in His mercy leads you to a place, to a people, where you are safely, gracefully, unconditionally home. I hope you enjoy Macalla - spread the word, it's a great read!