This Winter's Essence Competition Bonanza Is Here Again!!

This quarter, the essence competition is going to be an open one. We would like you to be creative about your experiences as a single or newly wed. You can express your experience in any creative way you choose. You could express it through a painting, drawing, writing, poetry, photography, an article or sculpture. The decision is yours!

So the Theme is:

Express your experiences, whether as singles or newly weds, in an artistic and edifying way. You may want to express your frustrations, growing pains, impatience, joys, triumphs or failures in a creative way using words, pictures, poetry or drawings. 

Judging Criteria:

Entries will be judged on clarity, originality, and development of ideas.

Submission guidelines:

This competition is open to ALL www.ess2ence.com members and visitors. Its an open competition so you can also invite family and friends to consider sending entries in. All entries must be your OWN work and should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Remember to include your full name and contact details so that you can be contacted should you be shortlisted or perhaps chosen as one of the winners!!!

Prizes:

The winning candidates will have their work published on the www.ess2ence.com website and also included in the Ess2ence Newsletter Magazine. Winners will also receive a signed certificate from TM Mainka, founder of www.ess2ence.com, in addition to a host of Essence merchandise:

The winners will receive exclusive custom designed Essence Jewellery made from the best quality sterling silver 925. Beautifully hand crafted by Phillipino craftsmen who take pride in providing elegant and lasting sterling silver jewellery. Jewellery include - One of a kind Essence necklaces & rings. (Designed by TM Mainka for Essence community members and visitors only.)

Exlusive Essence customised t-shirts

The unique Essence wrist bands.

Previous Essence Winners include:

And The Winners of The Essence Photography Competition Are....

First Position Winner : 

Stephanie Etchells: Munich, Germany 

This picture was taken in Madrid, Spain while I was on a tour.  The funny thing was that I was not planning on seeing this site since I thought it was outside the city.  It turned out not to be outside the city and I eventually sort of stumbled upon it with friends. The reflection on the water with the clouds that were rolling along overhead were beautiful. Its one of those times when what your eye sees, is captured by the camera. A truly magnificent picture that showed me that the very thing that one does not want to do, often turns out to be the most beautiful of options!

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First Runner-Up

Charity Addo: London, England

When I look at this picture it makes me think of Faith; the belief that even though I have not seen God with my own eyes, He is there constantly watching over me. Whenever I feel sad or worried about something, no matter where I am, I open a window or a door and look up to the sky and speak to God. No matter where you are in the world or what goes on around you, the one thing that is always the same is the sky. As the sun rises and sets everyday, I believe that God is always the same and watches over you everyday.

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Second Runner-Up

Brian Bland: Hundzell, Germany

This photograph was taken at the Ubersee above the Konigsee. The significance of this photo for me is that it shows the majesty and splendour of God's creation and man's position in it (if you look really closely, you will see a small alpine house at the edge of the lake.)  How small and insignificant our presence and abilities are in comparison to God's, yet still He allows us a place within it!

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Third Runner-Up

Ahmed Bako: Kaduna, Nigeria 

This picture was really quite fascinating to behold and really does not do justice to what I actually saw. I was waiting in my car for the driver to return and was really complaining about how hot it was and how angry I was that the airconditioning wasn't working, when I looked up and saw this group of distinguished men laughing, talking and jubilant over the small discrete blue bowl of food by their feet! How could these men in such humble surroundings find anything to laugh about? The bowl of food was barely enough for one person, yet they all shared it and appeared content.  It really hit home to me, that as a Christian, I must be thankful and content in every situation that I find myself in; understanding the mystery that Godliness with contentment truly is great gain!

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The Essence Poetry Competition Winners are.....

First Position: Laeticia Morant

The Virtue of Waiting..

A trail of pain

Some words of shame

Tears shed in secret

Fears held in rivet

Waiting seems to be forever

For that which your heart most desires

Alas! At last!! Here comes the answer

The reason unfolds, the story is told

A season of change, a change in season

A new dawn, a new day, hope has risen

to read in its entirity pls click: 

 First Runner-up: Funmi Bajomo

MAN OF GOD

A man after God’s own heart

A mighty man of valour

One who is fully set apart

Walking in divine favour

Humble and meek in all his ways

Yet as strong and bold as a lion

Fully committed to God all his days

Building up his treasures in Zion

A natural leader equipped by the Father

Focussed and of firm resolve

A shepherd and an over-seer

Watching and praying for the one he loves.......

 to read this poem in its entirity, please click:

2nd Runner up: Oyinkan Sofola

The Virtue of Waiting.. 

I woke up and it was silent

You see all my life there has been noise

When I get up and when I sleep, laughter and sometimes

cries envelope me

Both of which I embraced

And at times the cries were so welcome if just to

avoid the loneliness

You see as far as there was noise it didn’t matter

which type

Edifying or not, you see it didn’t matter for goodness

sake.............

to read this poem in its entirity, pls click: 

Onyx Sofola: The virtue of waiting..  

Congratulations to all our winners!!! Well-done!

Many thanks to all those who sent entries in! The competition was really stiff and the entire Essence team really appreciate your participation.

The winners will receive exclusive custom designed Essence Jewellery made from the best quality sterling silver 925. Beautifully hand crafted by Phillipino craftsmen who take pride in providing elegant and lasting sterling silver jewellery.

In addition they will receive exlusive Essence customised t-shirts, their work published on this site and a signed Certificate of Acheivement from the founder of www.ess2ence.com TM Mainka.

Please check back regularly for more competitions & updates!