Congratulations to the talented, hard-working, patient winners of our Heather Campbell Personal Essay Contest:

Co-Winning Essayists:
Emily Summerhays, for Wednesday, a poignant exploration of the significance found in dishcloths and other daily objects.

Julie Ransom, for Keeping Attendance, a clever, endearing tale of attending church with a broken leg, and how God keeps track of us.

Honorable Mention:
Courtney Miller Santo, for Shoulder to Shoulder, which tells of her complicated yet hopeful relationship with her sister.

Winning Poets:
First Place:Elizabeth Cranford, for Reproach, a powerful poem about the once-barren Elizabeth.

Honorable Mentions:
Elizabeth Wolfe, for Mammon, Adam and Eve with “heaven on their feet.” I love that line.

Emily Summerhays, for Augury, a foretelling moment found in puddle and sky.

Karen McKnight, for (nervous) happily, a cautionary dream eloquently written.

Elizabeth Cranford, for The Semantics of Blessings, a compelling examination of the need to live pain instead of bless it away.

You can read these writings, as well as other submissions to our contest, in our Summer 2008 issue (yes, it’s October now. Summer in Australia, though.) Palette of Light.

CONGRATULATIONS to our winning essayists and poets!