Stephen M. Sanders reads his poems "Autumn in Paris, Texas"; "Tennessee Camp Meeting, 1982"; and "A Vagrant."

Stephen M. Sanders is an assistant professor of English at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He has had poems included in publications including Pacifica Literary Review, Penumbra Literary & Art Magazine, and the Austin International Poetry Festival di-vêrsé-city anthology. His first novel Passe-Partout was published in 2019 (Monument Place Books).

Maura H. Harrison shares about her photographs, "Reverent Marvels," inspired by Julian of Norwich's belief that “one should reverently marvel and humbly endure, ever delighting in God.” And Erica Waters reads her poem, "Gardens of Earth."

Maura H. Harrison is a writer, photographer, and fiber artist from Fredericksburg, VA. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas, Houston.

Poems by Erica Waters appear in journals like Weber: The Contemporary West, Camas, CALYX, and The Fiddlehead International. Massage therapist, gardener, and mother of one, Waters breathes in our shared sky in Northern Colorado on the eastern plains of the Rocky Mountains.

Joel Peckham reads his poems, "How to Walk in Space: Untethering" and "How to Walk in Space: 3:35AM Dec 9, 2022."

Joel Peckham has published nine collections of poetry and nonfiction, including Bone Music (SFA) and Body Memory (New Rivers), and is co-editor of the anthology Wild Gods: The Ecstatic in American Poetry and Prose. Individual poems and essays have appeared in Prairie Schooner, The Southern Review, The Sun, and many others.

Edward A. Dougherty reads his poem, "Between Slaughter and Exile," and Michelle J. Chun shares her artwork, "Annunciation" and "Relics of Annunciation."

Edward A. Dougherty has lived and worked in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York for nearly 30 years. He is the author of 11 collections of poetry, including Grace Street and 10048. Vita Poetica's Interviews Editor, Emily Chambers Sharpe, discussed the spiritual wanderings he writes about in his book of essays, Journey Work: Crafting a Life of Poetry & Spirit. Find the interview in the Summer 2021 issue.

Michelle Chun is a visual maker born and raised in Southern California. She approaches her practice both as an embodied meditation on theological concepts and also as a form of investigating the idea of "histories." She received a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and a MAR in Visual and Material Culture from Yale Divinity School. She is currently a HATCH resident at the Chicago Arts Coalition and a Teaching Artist in Residence at Lillstreet Art Center. She has shown at Helen J Gallery in Los Angeles, Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, and Gelman Gallery in Rhode Island, among other exhibitions.

Maxim D. Shrayer reads his poems, "Yom Kippur in Boston" & "Grapes of Sukkot."

Maxim D. Shrayer is a bilingual writer in English and Russian and a professor at Boston College. His books include four collections of Russian-language poetry and a collection of English-language verse, Of Politics and Pandemics. Shrayer's new memoir, Immigrant Baggage, was published in 2023.

Sarah Renee Werner offers a meditation and reflection on the seasonal changes we experience around us. Her piece, "Breathe" is published in our current Autumn issue.

Sarah Werner is the communications coordinator for Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA and pastor of Olentangy Wild Church in Columbus, Ohio. She is the author of Rooted Faith: Practices for Living Well on a Fragile Planet and enjoys camping, birding, and nature photography in her free time.

Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego introduces a new feature coming up in future issues. We want to hear from you, Vita Poetica readers, about the spiritual practices that sustain and inspire you. This is also a place for your questions and concerns about the world and a chance to find new practices to incorporate into your spiritual life. Email your responses to [email protected] by Dec. 15, 2023 for inclusion in the Winter 2024 issue in January. More details in this episode and on our website.

Angela Townsend reads her literary essay, "Less and More," from our Autumn 2023 issue.

Angela Townsend is Development Director at Tabby’s Place: A Cat Sanctuary, where she has the privilege of bearing witness to mercy for all beings. Angie has an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary and B.A. from Vassar, and her work appears in Amethyst Review, Dappled Things, Fathom Magazine, Hawaii Pacific Review, and The Razor, among others. Angie loves life dearly.

The Autumn 2023 issue of the journal is out! Tune in for a preview of new works at the intersection of art, faith, beauty, and spirit.

Cover Art: Maura H. Harrison

Intro Music: "A Gentle Invitation" by Dawn, Dawn, Dawn

Outro Music: John Morris

Rebekah Vickery guides us in "A Blessing for Your Breath," from our Summer 2023 issue.

Rebekah Vickery is a trauma therapist, group facilitator, and acrylic artist located in the beautiful and wild Pacific Northwest. In all of her work with people, art, and words, she loves engaging themes of grief, transition, and hope.