“Lest We Forget” – by Sandi Somers

During this Remembrance month, we remember those who have died so that we can live in peace. We also think of the memorial stones that Joshua set up after crossing the Jordan River to remind the people of what God had done for them.

 Prompt:  Choose a memory…. why you write, the books you read as a child, a memory or situation connected to your writing journey. How is this memory a memorial for you?

InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship—Then and Now

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

-         Psalm 77:11-12

This month I want to pay tribute to the great things God has done in InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.

Our current mission is “to stimulate, encourage and support Christians across Canada who write, to advance effective Christian writing, and to promote the availability and influence of all Christians who write.”

Origins: InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship began as a result of the Billy Graham Decision School of Christian Writing in Calgary in 1979. Twelve writers decided to have an organization “to provide a vehicle for mutual support, stimulation and growth for Christian writers in Alberta.” The main feature was an annual conference—still important today. 

In 1982, there were twenty-two paid members, with an annual fee of $15.00. Today we have nearly 200 members, with memberships paid on a one-year, two-year and three-year basis.

Executive meetings were originally face-to-face, with members needing to drive some distance to meet. Now we have the convenience of online resources and can enjoy meetings from the comfort of our own homes.

Writing Contests began in 1983, and now include winter and fall contests, FellowScript contests and monthly writing challenges.

The Newsletter began as a single page in 1983, mailed to fifteen people. We now have a thirty-two page FellowScript magazine, available in print and on PDF.

The first writing group was formed on September 15, 1986. We currently have fourteen groups, and have had up to more than twenty.

Spring Workshops were added in April 1990, later named Spring WorDshops.

Cross-Canada expansion came in 1996; to reflect this expansion, we later adopted the current name, InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship. Right now we have the capacity to expand even further, to become an international organization.

Technology changed the face of ICWF. With the rise of internet, we registered our organization online and created a website with the domain name InScribe.org. We later added a members’ discussion group—the Listserve--and two blogs: InScribe Writers Online, and the Professional Blog.

InScribe has published three anthologies: Companion, in honour of the 20^th anniversary in 2000; InScribed: 30 Years of Inspiring Writers, and 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers, published in 2015.

As we grow, we mentor and minister to writers wherever they are their writing journey. We continue to develop our vision and leadership capacities of all. And as God has led us these thirty-five years, we trust Him to lead us in the future.

For reflection:

·        When and how did you come into contact with ICWF?

·        What has God done for you through ICWF? Take time to thank Him for the part ICWF has played in your writing career and in your spiritual life.

·        Who in ICWF has been influential in your spiritual and writing development? Why not email or phone these people to thank them. (Hmm…Now I have a bit of homework to do on this one.)

PS If you wish to read a devotional on Joshua’s memorial stones, click here.