Around Town: Mitchell Prize, Augustine, Jesus Collective, Heart for Asia . . .

Susan Alexander has been awarded the 2019 Mitchell Prize.

Bowen Island resident Susan Alexander has won a major literary prize. She was awarded the $20,000 Ross and Davis Mitchell Prize for her suite of poems,Vigil.

The announcement came October 22, during a celebration at the Aga Kahn Museum in Toronto, with Juno-award winning rapper Shad serving as master of ceremonies.

Here is part of Mitchell Prize announcement:

“Vigil is an outstanding collection that is highly deserving of first place,” said Lorna Goodison, a Mitchell Prize judge and acclaimed poet.

“The writer is a talented and accomplished poet who handles the language of poetry with great authority, and the reader gets a strong sense that this is a voice rich in experience and wisdom. One also gets a sense that the poet speaks confidently on behalf of a large community of people; past and present, thus fulfilling one of the ancient roles of the poet as intermediary between humanity and the Divine.”

Alexander’s previous work has appeared in chapbooks, anthologies and several literary magazines. Her awards include the 2016 Short Grain poetry prize and the 2015 Vancouver Writers’ Festival Contest. She was longlisted for the 2018 CBC Poetry Prize and is currently featured on the bus in Vancouver’s Poetry in Transit. Judges selected her winning Mitchell Prize entry from among 250 nominees. . . .

The biennial Mitchell Prize seeks to recognize Canadian poets whose work wrestles with the beauty and complexity of religious faith. Three celebrated writers make up the panel of judges: Lorna Goodison, Chelene Knight, and Scott Cairns. The prize is a project of Image, a journal of contemporary art and literature, and is presented with support from think tank Cardus.

Alexander, author of The Dance Floor Tilts, has a BA in English from UBC and an MA in Theological Studies from Regent College.

On a (slightly) related note, The Word Guild’s Surrey and White Rock chapters are hosting Storytelling: Bringing the Past to Life November 2:

This one-day conference features Allen Desnoyers, David Kitz, Jim Martens, Ron Reed and Rose Seiler Scott. Session topics include The Drama of Biblical Fiction; Writing the Play Tolkien; Twentieth Century Historical Fiction and Memoir; How to Save Your Family History Through Short Stories; and Writing Historical Musicals.

The day-long gathering will take place at South Delta Baptist Church.

On the Road with Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine will not be the first person who comes to mind when churchgoers – or others – are looking for guidance through this complex modern world. But Calvin University philosophy professor and author James K.A. Smith insists that he is just the man for the times. He will present that view during two Regent College events at the end of next week.

On Friday evening (November 1) he will discuss Augustine Our Contemporary: How to Find Yourself, drawing on the theme of his new book, On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real World Spirituality for Restless Hearts.

Here is a portion of Regent’s description of the book:

Augustine spent a lifetime searching for his heart’s true home and he can help us find our way. “What makes Augustine a guide worth considering,” says Smith, “is that he knows where home is, where rest can be found, what peace feels like, even if it is sometimes ephemeral and elusive along the way.”

Addressing believers and skeptics alike, this book shows how Augustine’s timeless wisdom speaks to the worries and struggles of contemporary life, covering topics such as ambition, sex, friendship, freedom, parenthood and death. As Smith vividly and colorfully brings Augustine to life for 21st-century readers, he also offers a fresh articulation of Christianity that speaks to our deepest hungers, fears and hopes.

Smith will also deliver two Real World Spirituality lectures Saturday morning.

The Friday evening event is free to attend and will also be live-streamed. The Saturday lectures cost $30.

Jesus Collective

I’ve heard about Jesus Collective, but that’s about it. If you’re like me, and if it sounds intriguing, here’s what to expect from the day-long Jesus Collective gathering at Tenth Church next Wednesday (October 30):

• Learn more about the vision for Jesus Collective and plans in the works
• Special interactive session with pastor and author Bruxy Cavey – unpacking the question: What is Jesus-centred theology?
• Chance to ask questions, share input and feedback about Jesus Collective
• Meet some new like-minded friends from Canada and the US
• Sharing a meal provided by Jesus Collective
• Time to pray together

You can look into the phenomenon further by checking out the Jesus Collective website. Here’s a portion:

Our roots are in the Anabaptist radical reformation, but we’re not hung up on labels. While we value our history and tradition, we’re most interested in uniting around the Jesus-centered theology, values, practices, and Kingdom vision we share in common with more and more Jesus followers around the world. We want to live this out in fresh ways in our 21^st century, increasingly post-Christian context. . . .

The Meeting House in Ontario – led by Bruxy Cavey – has been instrumental in bringing Jesus Collective together.