Good news! The This Is Our City project is extending a second essay competition, wherein 10 winners will receive $1,000 each and the top winner will have his or her essay featured in a future print issue of Christianity Today magazine.
DESCRIPTION
Beginning in 2011, our project has documented the "common-good decisions" of Christians who aspire to make a difference in their cities and the lives of their citizens. Our aim is to inspire others to look at the actions of these individuals as models for common-good decisions in their own communities. In conjunction with the series, CT is conducting an essay competition for the most compelling stories of ways in which our readers, or Christians they know, are making a similar difference in their communities. We are especially looking for stories about Christian involvement in institutions—business, government, education, media—where Christians combine clear faith-based commitment with partnership with others in a diverse and pluralistic public environment. We are also keenly interested in the virtues—the habits of heart and character (e.g., diligence, gratitude, chastity)—that animate lasting commitments to the common good.
GUIDELINES
The ideal length for essays is 1,000 words, with a maximum length of 2,500 words. The essays must describe specific choices you or those whom you know have made and actions and consequences that followed from those choices. In addition, essays must describe at least one virtue that either (a) motivates the actions you or another are taking, or (b) has been strengthened in those affected by your or another's involvement in public life. If the common-good decisions were directly inspired by our series, tell us how in your essay. Ten essays will be awarded prizes of $1,000. All winning essays will be featured in future issues of CT or online at ChristianityToday.com. The deadline is Friday, June 15. Please send essays as Word attachments to connect@thisisourcity.org.
And don't miss the winning essays of the first competition!
"Why I Left World Vision for Finance," Mark Sheerin, Atlanta, Georgia
" 'Daddy, Why Do People Steal from Us?' " Peter Chin, Washington, D.C.
"Meeting Refugees on the Roofs of Richmond," by Fritz Kling, Richmond, Virginia
"Jesus Is Coming, So Save a Wave," Adam Feichtmann, Gold Coast, Australia
"Why I Offer Clean Needles in Jesus' Name," Ruth Bell Olsson, Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Pay-What-You-Can Restaurants Dish Up Dignity in Denver," Jeff Haanen, Denver, Colorado
"Sibling Filmmakers Set Out to Free Austin's Sex Slaves," by Andrea Palpant Dilley, Austin, Texas
"My Love Affair with Small-Town America," by Tricia Elisara, Julian, California
"A Sliver of Shalom in the Suburbs," by Drew Ward, Corona, California
"A Place for Creatives to Come and Perch," Chris Breslin, Durham, North Carolina
