Dear readers,

We’re still coming off a high from 2015. If we had any doubts about the need for a magazine like Geez, they were eradicated by the unprecedented demand for our Decolonization issue (Fall, 2015). Not only did we sell out within a few weeks, we also sold out of a second print run of the issue. Reader comments keep coming in with words of appreciation.

This coming year looks exciting as well. This just in, singer-songwriter and publisher John K. Samson and veteran guest-editor Miriam Meinders have agreed to work with us on a special issue about incarceration. Prisons are a flash point for so many lines of injustice, and we want to talk about it and chart steps for action.

There’s more to come, and we’ll keep you in the loop. In the meantime, here are some recent highlights of the goings-on at Geez:

Festival of Faith and Writing
We’re delighted to report we’ll have an exhibit booth at Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Writing this weekend. We’re looking forward to meeting many Geez readers and several Geez writers: frequent contributor D.L. Mayfield, forthcoming writer Celine Chuang, Benjamin Hertwig (a two-time Geez writer who just got published in the New York Times), Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma, and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma (from Topology magazine and the The Huss Project in Three Rivers), to mention a few. If you plan to attend, or happen to find yourself in the Grand Rapids area, please stop by with greetings, feedback, or suggestions.

We are Water, Let’s Swim
Geez 41, The Watershed Issue, is available now at our web store and on newsstands across Canada. The issue includes a primer on watershed discipleship from topic guru Ched Myers, a photo essay following some subterranean flows, and several stories of aquatic resistance and hope.

Water literally connects us all together. As Geez editor Aiden writes in his editorial: “Eating less meat to preserve water, travelling by bike to reduce fossil-fueled transportation, counting birds to appreciate vulnerable creatures and document species loss . . . these actions become seeds of subversion. We loosen our attachments to material goods, connect with people, respect our watersheds, and develop the fortitude to resist the exploitative, polluting patterns of the dominant culture.” Click here to get your copy today.

Friends Give Friends Geez
As you know, Geez is a primarily print magazine in an increasingly digital media world. We invite you to send an email to your friends, telling them about Geez magazine. As an encouragement, and to thank you for your effort, we’ll add a free issue to your subscription for each of your friends who mentions your name when they subscribe. Now, to make sharing the love even easier, you can now invite your friends and family to subscribe through at new page at geezmagazine.org/friends.

New Faces Around the Office
The last few months have been a transitional time here at Geez headquarters. Long-time associate publisher Elisabeth Franz-Warkentin has stepped down from her position at Geez, and managing editor Kyla Neufeld will be working reduced hours.

While we’re sad to be seeing less of Elisabeth and Kyla, we’re pleased to welcome Charmagne Reimer De Veer aboard as Geez’s new business manager. Likewise, we couldn’t be happier to add Marianne Siemens (who’s been a dedicated volunteer since day one) to the official roster in Elisabeth’s place. Finally, a big thanks to Jonathan Dyck, who has been helping out as an assistant art director.

As always, we appreciate all your feedback and support! If you haven’t already, please visit Geezmagazine.org/subscribe to subscribe or renew today.

Sincerely,
The Geez workers.