Winter 2021: The Fire

As a family, we lit three fires in 2020.

As dawn broke one Sunday morning on a farm in rural Virginia we channeled our Patrician forefather around a makeshift fiery altar. We cried out with aches for mercy and relief from the pain of the Refiner’s Fire.

On All Hallows Eve we danced around a crackling campfire, toasting sticky marshmallows in the National Forest as God spoke through the remembrance of those in the Great Cloud of Witnesses.

And throughout the fall and winter nights of 2020 we continued to light the little fire pit in our yard - the place where we now gather for sacramental moments of bread and wine.

In this edition of Macalla you’ll be invited to see similar experiences of The Fire come into flame in other people’s lives. Songwriter Laureen Naik reminds us of the repeated presence of The Fire in the scriptures; an Anonymous contributor speaks to our spiritual flame within; whilst a second waits for a Dear One by the fireplace. Melissa Medley shares her personal journey through the Refiner’s Fire of serious illness; and artist Lisa Shirk’s stunning original work captures the burn of spiritual longing and devotion.

May you hear echoes of your own story in these pieces, and may they fan the flames of yearning, hope and love.

Lisa Treacy
Founder & Co-Editor, Macalla