Our publishing house team joins in the applause for Col. Worthy

AND WE ALSO WANT TO LIFT UP OTHER GROUND-BREAKERS who were honored along with Col. Worthy, aka The Black Knight, including the late Oleda Joure-Christides—a pioneering woman who served in World War I and then campaigned afterward for the rights of women. Please, enjoy our cover story celebrating such accomplishments and you may also want to order a book or two for your holiday shopping list! And consider sharing this story with friends via social media and email.

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Holidays & Festivals

Welcome St. Nicholas, Tuesday

EARLY IN DECEMBER, around the world, millions of families welcome St. Nicholas, as Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton reports. AND THERE’s NEWS about the real St. Nicholas, this year, as Stephanie reports: “Earlier this year, archaeologists announced the discovery of the original burial place of St. Nicholas—underneath a church in the Antalya province, in Turkey.”

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Catholics Celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception

ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL CATHOLIC FESTIVALS, in some parts of the world, the feast of the Immaculate Conception historically has been a distinguishing feature between Catholic dogma and beliefs about Mary in the Protestant world, as Stephanie Fenton reports.

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Take a healthy step in National Cancer Screen Week

THE HEALTHIEST NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION you can make is to schedule your cancer screening! That’s the word today from Howard Brown—Cancer Screening Week’s colorectal cancer ambassador. In his column, Howard also shares links to a couple of valuable resources that are free to download from reminder posters to his own Guide to Resiliency.

 

What are we really saying in our holiday greetings?

RABBI LENORE BOHM explores the Jewish legacy of greetings for holidays, festivals and special occasions in our life. Perhaps, she argues, “Happy” isn’t the most meaningful word to choose.

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And, more from our community of authors …

‘On Love, Loss and the Meaning of Giving’

VETERAN JOURNALIST MARTIN DAVIS, the author of 30 Days with America’s High School Coaches, now writes to a worldwide audience via his role as the Editorial Page Editor of The Free Lance Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia. From newspapers coast to coast, that has been a noble vocation in journalism that stretches back through American history. If you’re not already a regular “follower” of Martin’s columns in the Free Lance Star, then you’re missing out on real gems in your “inbox.” This week, Martin reflects on both the pain of loss—an acute part of our lives, these days—and the timeless impulse to give back. Enjoy his column and you may want to pass that link along to friends.

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Please, ‘Give the Gift of Wisdom, Hope and Resilience’—

MARTIN DAVIS also is featured as one of the authors in our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide featuring great choices for Hanukkah and Christmas giving. If you act this week, there’s still plenty of time to receive these books to make your friends and loved ones smile at the holidays.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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If you’re giving the gift of reading this year—

Please, join us at Goodreads!

IN OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN, this week, Marketing Director Susan Stitt explains why Goodreads is such a marvelous place to meet readers—and why prospective authors should join even before finishing a manuscript.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO—This week, Ed McNulty is inviting our readers to join in a free online discussion, via Zoom, on Tuesday (Dec 6) in either the afternoon or the evening—exploring the powerful 2016 movie, I Am Not Your Negro. The film, based on work by James Baldwin, is streaming now on Amazon.
  • Here is Ed’s review of the film along with discussion questions.
  • Here is information about signing up for the free Zoom discussion sessions.
• SHE SAID—(In theaters) “If ever one doubted the importance of a free press, this film centering on two NY Times reporters should be invoked!“
• GOOD NIGHT OPPY—(Streaming on Amazon) “Ryan White’s delightful documentary is a good companion for Wall-E, due to the NASA engineers treating their two Mars rovers like they were their children.”
• CALL JANE—(In theaters; streaming on various services) “Director Phyllis Nagy takes us back to the Chicago of 1968 in this story about an underground cadre of women who provided safe abortions for desperate women.”
• BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER—(In theaters; coming to Disney+) “The Black Panther sequel is both impressive and, if you are not an avid fan of the super hero genre (like me) confusing at times.”
• ARMAGEDDON TIME—(In theaters) “Eleven-year-old aspiring artist Paul Graff (Banks Repeta) is the protagonist in this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age memoir movie set in Flushing, Queens, New York, in 1980s, co-starring Anthony Hopkins as Paul’s grandfather.”
• CAUSEWAY—(Streaming on Apple+) “The story of a wounded warrior, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who still is struggling when she returns to her native New Orleans.”
• TICKET TO PARADISE—(In theaters; coming to Peacock) “The main reason for seeing it is to watch two pros, Julia Roberts and George Clooney, go through their paces in a story about as believable as anything from the Brothers Grimm.”

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Thanks to Michigan State University Bias Busters,
17 government offices are more welcoming to minorities

For more than a decade now, the Michigan State University School of Journalism’s Bias Busters program has partnered with Front Edge Publishing to produce a series that now includes 20 books that answer the most frequently asked questions about ethnic, racial, religious and other groups within our diverse population. Now, we’re all celebrating a great example of that outreach as these student-produced guides are now helping the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services with its work.  Please read this Cover Story and share it with friends, colleagues and neighbors who work with institutions, congregations and nonprofits that also could benefit from having an MSU easy-to-read “diversity library.”

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We also are thankful for—

Families who assist their disabled loved ones

DID YOU KNOW THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES will be on the move this week all across America? Howard Brown, author of Shining Brightly, is well aware because his family is among those millions who don’t allow disabilities to keep anyone from the Thanksgiving table.

In Howard’s column, he tells a story that will be familiar to so many families—the challenges of helping his disabled Mom (the family’s matriarch) to reach that Thanksgiving table.

AND THIS IS KEY—His column also includes links to some national data you can share with others this week to heighten awareness of disabilities all around us—among our relatives, friends, co-workers and neighbors. PLUS—he’s got a printable guide to making a safe wheelchair transfer, so you’ll be ready to help with that disabled friend or loved one. Perhaps sharing this column might inspire someone else to make an extra effort this week to ensure that a disabled person joins the family feast. Do a good deed right now by reading Howard’s column and sharing it with others via social media or email.

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And, we’re thankful for—

Finally getting home again!

IN HER GOD-SIGNS COLUMN THIS WEEK, Suzy Farbman tells us about Jim and Karin Billings’ true story of ‘Planes, Trains and—a Wheelchair, too.’

Suzy begins her column this way: “Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, fun or exciting, right? For Karin and Jim Billings, this year’s annual trip to Europe proved a little too exciting.”

At this time of year, we all love to swap travel horror stories. This one certainly tops all the true stories we’ve heard so far this year!

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We also are thankful for—

All those who help boost the resiliency of families facing cancer 

CANCER-SURVIVAL cheerleader, coach and philanthropist Jeanine Patten-Coble is featured in PEOPLE magazine in a feel-good feature, headlined: Mom Who Beat Breast Cancer Gives Free Vacations to Patients and Their Families to Make ‘Priceless Memories’ Please enjoy that PEOPLE feature and learn more about Jeanine’s work through her memoir, Struck by Hope.

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Holidays & Festivals

Thanksgiving—

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS expert Stephanie Fenton starts her holiday column: “Express gratitude and savor the smells and tastes of the season, for the holiday of (American) Thanksgiving. Many foods common on the Thanksgiving table are native to North America and to the season, such as corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squashes and cranberries.” AND—as always—she’s got links to some great recipes as well as instructions for DIY Thanksgiving crafts for families.

AUTHOR MARTIN DAVIS also wrote about Thanksgiving, as editorial page Editor for the Fredericksburg, VA, Free-Lance Star newspaper. The annual “Turkey Day” has lots of competition, these days, Martin writes and then tries “to make the case for pausing this Thursday, if just for a bit, to share some time with family and friends.” Martin always has his finger firmly on the pulse of American life and culture and is the author of 30 Days with America’s High School Coaches.
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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER—(in theaters; coming to Disney+) Ed writes: “The Black Panther sequel is both impressive and, if you are not an avid fan of the super hero genre (like me) confusing at times.”
• ARMAGEDDON TIME—(in theaters) “Eleven-year-old aspiring artist Paul Graff (Banks Repeta) is the protagonist in this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age memoir movie set in Flushing, Queens, New York, in 1980s, co-starring Anthony Hopkins as Paul’s grandfather.”
• HOMEBODY—(in theaters) “This is not so much a body-swap film, like Freaky Friday, as it is a gender-swap one, as well as a film of gender exploration in which a boy arrives at some degree of self discovery.”
• CAUSEWAY—(Streaming on Apple+) “Broadway director Lila Neugebauer, in her feature directing debut, brings us the story of a wounded warrior on the road to recovery, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who still is struggling when she returns to her native New Orleans.”
• TICKET TO PARADISE—(Streaming on Peacock in December) “The main reason for seeing it is to watch two pros, Julia Roberts and George Clooney, go through their paces in a story about as believable as anything from the Brothers Grimm.”
• THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL—(Streaming on Netflix) “Director Paul Feig’s long film is based on a young adult fantasy partially set in an 18th century village called Gavaldon.“
• THE PIANO LESSON—(Streaming on Amazon) “August Wilson’s wonderful play is currently in a Broadway revival, but there also is the excellent Hallmark TV version broadcast in 1995.”

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Dr. Gushee saw this coming—

A rec0rd-breaking embrace of LGBTQ candidates nationwide.

THE NEWS FLASH THIS WEEK was striking: “This election made history for the diversity of candidates running. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people ran for office in all 50 states for the first time.” At our Front Edge publishing house, we are encouraged by this news because we publish the most influential book helping Christian families to welcome their LGBTQ relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors: Changing Our Mind. Please read our Cover Story this week and share it with friends and family who want to encourage more welcoming communities.

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What’s the importance of a memorable book cover?

It leaps into your mind’s eye?

WANT SOME FUN READING and VIEWING? Here’s a celebration of the brilliant kinds of book covers artist Rick Nease has been designing for our publishing house.

 

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Holidays & Festivals

 

Christmas is coming, especially from the East

EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS around the world begin looking toward Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus, this week as the annual Fast of the Nativity begins. Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story, including links to a couple of convenient apps that provide daily readings from the Orthodox tradition.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Why are teens ignorant of the Bible?

 

Consider asking a teen you know …

AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST and AUTHOR Bill Tammeus writes some of the most thought-provoking columns about religion in America—as demonstrated by how many people wind up widely sharing his articles. Recently, he shared some intriguing data about teen-agers and their experiences with the Bible, including their attitudes toward these scriptures. This is a column well worth reading and sharing with friends.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• ARMAGEDDON TIME—(in theaters) Ed writes: “Eleven-year-old aspiring artist Paul Graff (Banks Repeta) is the protagonist in this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age memoir movie set in Flushing, Queens, New York, in 1980s, co-starring Anthony Hopkins as Paul’s grandfather.”
• HOMEBODY—(in theaters) “This is not so much a body-swap film, like Freaky Friday, as it is a gender-swap one, as well as a film of gender exploration in which a boy arrives at some degree of self discovery.”
• CAUSEWAY—(Streaming on Apple+) “Broadway director Lila Neugebauer, in her feature directing debut, brings us the story of a wounded warrior on the road to recovery, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who still is struggling when she returns to her native New Orleans.”
• TICKET TO PARADISE—(Streaming on Peacock in December) “The main reason for seeing it is to watch two pros, Julia Roberts and George Clooney, go through their paces in a story about as believable as anything from the Brothers Grimm.”
• THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL—(Streaming on Netflix) “Director Paul Feig’s long film is based on a young adult fantasy partially set in an 18th century village called Gavaldon.“
• THE PIANO LESSON—(Streaming on Amazon) “August Wilson’s wonderful play is currently in a Broadway revival, but there also is the excellent Hallmark TV version broadcast in 1995.”
• STARS AT NOON—(Streaming on Hulu and Amazon) “Director Claire Denis’ murky film, set in Nicaragua early in the Covid pandemic, might remind one of a Graham Greene novel.”
• THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FIKRY—(Streaming on Amazon) “Based on a New York Times best seller, the book’s author Gabrielle Zevin also wrote the screenplay.”
• TÁR—(in theaters) Director Todd Field’s latest film, acclaimed by many as “a masterpiece,” filled with a vast knowledge of classical music and those who compose and conduct it!
• BROS—(Streaming on Amazon) “Bros is the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio featuring an entirely LGBTQ principal cast to be released widely.”

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Pop some popcorn and invite your friends.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to enjoy Faith & Film

COVER STORY—For a decade, Read The Spirit magazine has appeared every Monday with a popular Faith & Film section closing out our weekly issues. We’ve heard from readers around the world who enjoy Film Critic Edward McNulty’s thought-provoking reviews along with the connections he draws to religious wisdom. This week’s Cover Story looks at the monthly Visual Parables Journal that we co-publish with McNulty for the enjoyment of men and women who want to explore the many faith connections in popular films. The upcoming Holiday Season is a terrific time to subscribe to that Journal and make plans to enjoy some movies and conversation with friends.

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Thank a Caregiver with a gift of inspiration

Help families honor National Family Caregivers Month

MOST AMERICANS either have been caregivers—or know a caregiver currently currently serving as an unpaid lifeline for a loved one. That’s why Americans mark November, each year, as National Family Caregivers Month. Please, read our story, which includes information about this observance and suggestions of some great books that would make perfect gifts for those who serve.

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And also a milestone this week—remember Veteran’s Day

STEPHANIE FENTON writes about Veteran’s Day, this week, including ideas for reaching out to veterans among family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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From Suzy Farbman

A True Tale of Two Sisters—Whose Lives and Wisdom Intertwined

IN HER GOD SIGNS COLUMN, this week, Suzy Farbman introduces us to remarkable sisters: Shanda Sullivan and Penny James. While neither may be household names, Penny James’ image was all over magazines and advertisements in the ’60s and ’70s—until various challenges forced her to step away from the Jet Set. Although she began collecting her hard-earned wisdom in a memoir, Penny died before she finished. Now, Shanda has completed that inspiring project.

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Yes, we’re publishers—but we “do” video, too!

Howard Brown is on the air around the world

IN OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN, this week, we’re featuring the latest video by Howard Brown, author of Shining Brightly. Howard’s long career as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and public speaker means he’s a veteran at inspiring crowds, so he has been keeping up a blistering pace of appearances on podcasts and videos.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• TICKET TO PARADISE—Ed writes: “The main reason for seeing it is to watch two pros, Julia Roberts and George Clooney, go through their paces in a story about as believable as anything from the Brothers Grimm.”
• THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL—(Streaming on Netflix) “Director Paul Feig’s long film is based on a young adult fantasy partially set in an 18th century village called Gavaldon.“
• THE PIANO LESSON—(Streaming on Amazon) “August Wilson’s wonderful play is currently in a Broadway revival, but there also is the excellent Hallmark TV version broadcast in 1995.”
• STARS AT NOON—(Streaming on Hulu and Amazon) “Director Claire Denis’ murky film, set in Nicaragua early in the Covid pandemic, might remind one of a Graham Greene novel.”
• THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FIKRY—“Based on a New York Times best seller, the book’s author Gabrielle Zevin also wrote the screenplay.”
• TÁR—Director Todd Field’s latest film, acclaimed by many as “a masterpiece,” filled with a vast knowledge of classical music and those who compose and conduct it!
• BROS—(Streaming on Amazon) “Bros is the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio featuring an entirely LGBTQ principal cast to be released widely.”
• TILL—”The story of Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till Bradley is still urgent because the hate-filled racism that poisoned his murderers is undergoing a resurgence in our nation today.”
• THEN, AS BACKGROUND—Ed also recommends that movie goers watch this 2003 documentary about his murder, which is streaming now on PBS.
• FANNIE LOU HAMER’S AMERICA—(Streaming on Amazon) “There have been numerous films on Fannie Lou Hamer, but what makes director Joy Elaine Davenport’s film different is that a major part of it is the civil rights icon telling her own story.”
• CATHERINE CALLED BIRDIE—(Streaming on Amazon) “Director-writer-producer Lena Dunham  adroitly captures the spirit of the Newberry-winning children’s novel by Karen Cushman.”

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Outreach to our imprisoned neighbors is central to our religious traditions

COVER STORY: Author Tina Welling does not represent any particular religious tradition, but she has spent years demonstrating the spiritual power of writing—specifically writing in journals—to unlock souls who feel trapped within a maze of trauma, addictions and violence.

Many of our Read The Spirit readers, in recent years, have expressed their concern with America’s crisis of “mass incarceration.” We imprison more people than any other country in the world and make little effort to figure out how these millions of men and women can find a healthy way to reintegrate into our communities, when they are released. Tina’s grassroots program to address that problem sprang from her own long experience as a writer—and is a wonderful example of what is possible in outreach to our imprisoned neighbors. Please, read this Cover Story and share it with friends via social medial, email or in your congregation’s small groups to spark discussion.

Want one more good reason to read this story? Because, toward the end, we describe a workbook that Tina provides within her book—a very helpful resource that can inspire anyone to get started with journaling.

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Remembrance of Things Past—

From the journals of Benjamin Pratt

IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT JOURNALING, you’ll definitely enjoy the journal entry sent to us this week by Benjamin Pratt, the author of many books and a popular columnist for our online magazine. Here’s the story we are unfolding for you: Above, we have just shared a Cover Story with Tina Welling, who has developed life-changing “journaling” workshops with inmates. And, below, we are sharing Howard Brown’s story of honoring a friend who died last year by planting trees. In this part of our “triptych of memory” is Benjamin Pratt’s story about a pilgrimage with friends back to the campus where they met.

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Remembering while Planting the Future

Here’s another bright idea for building healthy communities

HOWARD BROWN IS ALWAYS SHARING GREAT IDEAS. This week, he writes: “I live every day as an affirmation of my own resilience—something I take very seriously after two near-fatal bouts with cancer—and as an opportunity to give back gratefully to my community and our larger world. There are lots and lots of ways you can do this from simply mowing the lawn of a neighbor who’s having trouble getting around—to organizing larger efforts with friends.” Please enjoy this column—and a mini-gallery of photos—about the Greening of Detroit. It’s such an inspiring idea that you’ll want to share this one with friends.

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Holidays & Festivals

Happy Halloween!

And Allhallowtide, Samhain, Dia de los Muertos

Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton writes, “From Samhain to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, world cultures celebrate the belief that at this time of year, the veil between this world and the next is particularly thin and ancestors are held close.”

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LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, Stephanie reports: “Deeply rooted in a centuries-old Gaelic and Irish seasonal festival known as Samhain, ‘Halloween’ is considered by many to be the only time of year that spirits can roam the earth. From Samhain to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, world cultures celebrate the belief that at this time of year, the veil between this world and the next is particularly thin and ancestors are held close.”

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FIKRY—“Based on a New York Times best seller, the book’s author Gabrielle Zevin also wrote the screenplay.”
• TÁR—Director Todd Field’s latest film, acclaimed by many as “a masterpiece,” filled with a vast knowledge of classical music and those who compose and conduct it!
• BROS—(Streaming on Amazon) “Directed by Nicholas Stoller and written by Nicholas Stoller and Billy Eichner, Bros is the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio featuring an entirely LGBTQ principal cast to be released widely.”
• TILL—”The story of Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till Bradley, though it unfolded 67 years ago, is still urgent because the hate-filled racism that poisoned his murderers is undergoing a resurgence in our nation today.”
• THEN, BACKGROUND—As context for seeing the new movie Till, which currently is only in theaters, Ed recommends that movie goers watch this 2003 documentary about his murder, which is streaming now on PBS. If you are interested in films about the Civil Rights movement, Ed also recommends you reach back to 1996 and watch Ghosts of Mississippi, which can be rented for streaming on Amazon.
• FANNIE LOU HAMER’S AMERICA—(Streaming on Amazon) “There have been numerous films on Fannie Lou Hamer, but what makes director Joy Elaine Davenport’s film different is that a major part of it is the civil rights icon telling her own story.”
• BECOMING HARRIET BEECHER STOWE—”This is a welcome documentary on a woman who prior to the Civil War might be called the most famous female in America—Southerners would change that to infamous.”
• RINGS OF POWER—(Streaming on Amazon) This week, Amazon posted the final part of its epic series The Rings of Power. Ed McNulty writes, “Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have set out to perform a nearly impossible task—to sort out and stitch together a coherent story from Tolkien’s pre-Lord of the Rings era, and to please the die hard fans of Peter Jackson’s masterful adaptations.”
• THE RAILWAY CHILDREN—(Streaming on Amazon) “Director Morgan Matthews’ remake of E. Nesbit’s 1905 classic children’s novel and the 1970 film based on it updates the plot from Edwardian times to  1944 when the Brits are evacuating their children from their cities to save them from Nazi bombing.”
• CATHERINE CALLED BIRDIE—(Streaming on Amazon) “Director-writer-producer Lena Dunham  adroitly captures the spirit of the Newberry-winning children’s novel by Karen Cushman.”

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Public Health Research Shows the Value of Congregations in our Health and Wellbeing

AN URGENT QUESTION IN CONGREGATIONS OF ALL FAITHS: “After more than two years of pandemic, how can we encourage people to join our congregation?” That single question pops up in nearly every conversation with religious leaders. And, as it turns out, there’s one terrific reason to join a congregation: It’s good for you! Becoming part of a congregation is a proven predictor of health and wellbeing across our communities around the world. In this Cover Story, we are sharing with all of you an entire chapter from our book, Now What? about the public health research into the benefits of being part of a congregation. You also can feel free to share this with others. It’s good news!

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And Speaking of Health and Wellbeing—

Are you waiting for your copy of ‘Healing the World’? Meanwhile, you can see the movies.

LAST WEEK, we published the announcement of an upcoming biography of public health pioneer and peacemaker Dr. Gustavo Parajón, complete with glowing endorsements from former President Jimmy Carter and Sojourners founder Jim Wallis.

THIS WEEK, we have two short movies about the book—and about Parajón’s dramatic life. They’re both easy to share with friends if you are thinking about organizing a small-group discussion about the upcoming book.

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Even More Healthy Inspiration—

Howard Brown’s ‘Shining Brightly’ is celebrated by the doctors who saved his life.

A SIMPLE CHECKUP JUST MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE, TOO—Author Howard Brown and our entire publishing house team thank Beaumont Hospital for heroically saving Howard’s life in his second battle with aggressive stage IV cancer. The hospital staff graciously organized a “media day” to share Howard’s story with others—encouraging anyone who hears, sees or reads Howard’s story to schedule regular checkups and appropriate early screenings. It was just such a regular visit to see his doctor that ultimately saved Howard’s life. Here’s the story that thousands of people are sharing with friends and loved ones to encourage that simple step: “Have you had a checkup lately?” Please, share this with others via social media and email.

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Holidays & Festivals

Diwali—

Will you be displaying lights?

ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022—Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on the biggest Indian festival of the year, which is celebrated by more than 1 billion people around the world.

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Baha’is celebrate ‘Twin Holy Days’

THEN ON TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY this week are the “Twin Holy Birthdays,” as adherents of the Baha’i faith rejoice in the birth anniversaries of the two figures most central to their faith: Baha’u’llah and the Bab.

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A ‘Trio of Halloween’

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, Stephanie reports: “Deeply rooted in a centuries-old Gaelic and Irish seasonal festival known as Samhain, ‘Halloween’ is considered by many to be the only time of year that spirits can roam the earth. From Samhain to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, world cultures celebrate the belief that at this time of year, the veil between this world and the next is particularly thin and ancestors are held close.”

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• TÁR—Director Todd Field’s latest film, acclaimed by many as “a masterpiece,” filled with a vast knowledge of classical music and those who compose and conduct it!
• TILL—”The story of Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till Bradley, though it unfolded 67 years ago, is still urgent because the hate-filled racism that poisoned his murderers is undergoing a resurgence in our nation today.”
• THEN, BACKGROUND—As context for seeing the new movie Till, which currently is only in theaters, Ed recommends that movie goers watch this 2003 documentary about his murder, which is streaming now on PBS. If you are interested in films about the Civil Rights movement, Ed also recommends you reach back to 1996 and watch Ghosts of Mississippi, which can be rented for streaming on Amazon.
• FANNIE LOU HAMER’S AMERICA—(Streaming on Amazon) “There have been numerous films on Fannie Lou Hamer, but what makes director Joy Elaine Davenport’s film different is that a major part of it is the civil rights icon telling her own story.”
• BECOMING HARRIET BEECHER STOWE—”This is a welcome documentary on a woman who prior to the Civil War might be called the most famous female in America—Southerners would change that to infamous.”
• RINGS OF POWER—(Streaming on Amazon) This week, Amazon posted the final part of its epic series The Rings of Power. Ed McNulty writes, “Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have set out to perform a nearly impossible task—to sort out and stitch together a coherent story from Tolkien’s pre-Lord of the Rings era, and to please the die hard fans of Peter Jackson’s masterful adaptations.”
• THE RAILWAY CHILDREN—(Streaming on Amazon) “Director Morgan Matthews’ remake of E. Nesbit’s 1905 classic children’s novel and the 1970 film based on it updates the plot from Edwardian times to  1944 when the Brits are evacuating their children from their cities to save them from Nazi bombing.”
• AMSTERDAM—”Director-screenwriter David O. Russell combines murder, inter-racial romances, a little madcap comedy, and a possible coup attempt by Fascists to take over the American government in this period piece.”
• THE WOMAN KING—”Set in 1823, the story is fictional, but the facts surrounding the women warriors are accurate. Nanisca (Viola Davis) is the general in charge of them and thus a major advisor to young King Ghezo (John Boyega).”
• CATHERINE CALLED BIRDIE—(Streaming on Amazon) “Director-writer-producer Lena Dunham  adroitly captures the spirit of the Newberry-winning children’s novel by Karen Cushman.”

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