Category: Uncategorized

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Parenting on a Planet in Pain

melissaannekuipers

I’m honoured to have an article in the recent issue of Christian Century. It contains reflections on kids and their perception of animals, parenting in a climate crisis, and postpartum depression. Read more here.

“After the birth of each of my children, I found myself experiencing an overwhelming combination of guilt and despair. I would look into their tiny faces and ask, “How do I share with you the brokenness of this world? How do I bring you into its deep cruelty without dampening your joy?” I couldn’t bear the grief at the incongruity between their sweetness and the world in which that sweetness had to walk. Over time the depression lessened, but I still, even today, find myself hovering between trying to shield my children from this world’s pain and sharing with them the reality of the world.”

Published articles, Uncategorized

Inheriting Privilege

melissaannekuipers

20200729_211528

Over the past few years I’ve been on the continuing and unending journey of sorting through stuff I’ve inheriting, as well as some of my own childhood stuff I stuffed in the attic of the family home I grew up in. It’s a bit overwhelming at times.

Somehow the process of sorting through so many things that I’ve inherited–stuff I want and stuff I’d like to just ignore–brought to mind the ways in which we inherit privilege, whether we want it or not, whether we want to deal with it or not. I wrote a piece a few months ago about checking our privilege as spiritual practice, and I think it’s an essential ongoing exercise for white Christians. You can check it out in The Banner here.

parenting, Uncategorized

At Home With

melissaannekuipers

DSC_0143It’s been too long since I’ve posted here. I’m just going to say sorry for neglecting my “news and events” and then jump ahead to what’s been happening in the last few months.

Sorry for neglecting my “news and events.”

So, things have been busy being stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic with a baby and a toddler, but I’ve still been able to do a little bit of writing so I’ll post a bit about that here.

Two months ago I wrote a blog post for my publisher, Touchwood Editions. It’s part of a great series they started early in the pandemic called “At Home With” wherein Touchwood authors write about what their lives have looked like while socially isolating/quarantining. You can learn a little more about what I’ve been up to by reading my post here.

Uncategorized

Review of The Whole Beautiful World in Image Magazine

melissaannekuipers

I’m honoured to have an article featuring a review of my book, along with two wonderful books, published in Image Journal. In “Piercing the Fog of God,” author and professor Samuel Martin, who is also an alumnus of Redeemer University and the U of T Creative Writing program, explores connections between Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Revelation,” my short story, “Ears to Hear,” as well as stories from collections by Kristin Valdez Quade and Chanelle Benz. I’ve long been a fan of Image and am grateful for the work they do in exploring faith and the arts.