Cover Story: In loving memory from Howard Brown’s family at ReadTheSpirit magazine

Howard Brown (1966-2025):

‘I’ll be there.’

OUR COVER STORY THIS WEEK is devoted to the legacy of our long-time friend and author Howard Brown. This is a special column that Howard wrote himself—then edited with David Crumm in a series of phone calls from hospice—to appear after his death.

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And Here’s Some Great News

Please, Lettuce Delight You—

Meet Christy Berghoef and Douglas Brouwer over at Substack

Two of our most popular authors and columnists—both represented in the new Reformed Journal Books series curated by Editor Jeffrey Munroe—provide frequent doses of joy and inspiration over at Substack. If you’re feeling anxious about our troubled world, take a moment right now to visit them and sign up for their future columns. Substack does ask visitors if they want to pay for the service, but both Christy and Doug provide all of their offerings for free—so it won’t cost you a cent.

CHRISTY’S LATEST features this very photo of lettuce springing up in her garden. And in coming weeks, you’ll hear more about her memoir, Rooted, so “meet” her now on Substack and stay tuned by requesting her future columns. Or, if you prefer to start at Christy’s Substack homepage, here’s a link to that main gateway to Christy’s work.

DOUG’S LATEST SUBSTACK OFFERING is a look at the inspiring Martin Sheen film, The Way, about one of the pilgrimage routes that Doug himself has walked in Europe.

AND THE REFORMED JOURNAL ITSELF is also well worth a couple of clicks of your mouse to subscribe to its free columns, coordinated by Jeffrey Munroe and his editing team. We all can use a little “good news” in our inboxes each morning and these three—Christy, Doug and Jeff—are among the best writers and editors we know who reliably deliver often-surprising rays of light and paths toward resilience.

Finally, if you’re in a “connective” mood, this same “news item” is also the featured column, this week, over in our Front Edge Publishing website. If you’re interested in trends in publishing, click on over to the FEP column and scroll to the bottom of that page where you can sign up for our free weekly FEP columns.

And while you’re doing that—

PLEASE CONSIDER A FEW MORE SUPPORTIVE “CLICKS” to connect with an author we know you’re going to want to meet: Jonathan Grimm, author of the upcoming book The Future Poor.

Here’s a fresh link to the Cover Story about Jonathan that appeared in last week’s issue of ReadTheSpirit. 

This week, we want to thank all the readers who contacted our home office about Jonathan’s work. Based on the call-to-action in that Cover Story about Jonathan, we received notes from Seattle and Michigan to Florida. One note said, “We’ve come to trust your recommendations and that’s a very convincing recommendation you’re making about Jonathan’s work in trying to make some moral and ethical sense of the uncertain future for so many of us as we jump into our 60s and 70s and beyond.” Another note said, “I’m in my 30s … and my friends and I talk about this all the time: Can’t we come together to build a better community for everyone? Seems like today we’re hearing too many selfish voices that tell us we shouldn’t care. It’s everyone for themselves. Well, we don’t agree. Glad to hear about this guy who’s trying to do something about it.”

Please, if you missed it last week, read that story about Jonathan, pre-order a copy of his book and get in touch with him.

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Holidays & Festivals

Annual ‘martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev’ shines spotlight on Sikhs

MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025—MSU School of Journalism Bias Busters Founder Joe Grimm writes about the distinctive faith and culture of the world’s Sikh communities as they approach the annual remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev.

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U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday in the midst of growing concerns

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025—MSU’s Joe Grimm also reports on the complex issues facing military men, women and their families at this anniversary.

 

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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

Remembering Walter Brueggemann (1933-2025)

MANY READERS ASKED US TO MARK THE PASSING, this week, of Bible scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann. Among the online tributes to his life are:

Our unique contribution to this coverage is to remind readers that Brueggemann produced eight, short, free-to-stream films discussing issues in his 2020 book, Materiality as Resistance: Five Elements for Moral Action in the Real World

This free film series was produced by nonprofit “The Work of the People.” So, if you are among our readers mourning the passing of Dr. Brueggemann this week, then you may enjoy streaming these films either individually or with friends for discussion.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

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At this moment, we really need to hear from Jonathan Grimm and his prophetic message about ‘The Future Poor’

Here are 4 reasons you shouldn’t wait to invite this guy to speak in your community

COVER STORY—With the title of his new book, The Future Poor, it’s startling to discover how much hope there is in noted financial expert Jonathan Grimm’s message that he hopes to carry nationwide. At one point in our Cover Story author interview with Jonathan Grimm this week, he sums it up this way:

“The future doesn’t have to be about choosing between the lucky few who can afford to retire and everyone else who’s screwed. We can create a future where everyone has dignity, security, and hope as they age. But we have to choose to build it.”

If this sounds like a message you want to hear in your community, our cover story is easy to share with others (via social media links or email). We’re also providing links to get in touch with Jonathan now about his future schedule. Please, read this story and share this good news with others, this week.

AND IF YOU CARE TO “SEE” MORE OF JONATHAN’S STORY—Don’t miss the documentary about the tragic California wildfires early this year, which is featured in our “Faith & Film” section below. Part of Jonathan’s compelling story is that he and his family barely survived those fires, which destroyed their home. They only escaped with the few things they could carry—making Jonathan deeply grateful for the way communities can come together to help the most vulnerable. He not only speaks that message—he has lived that story! See the film below and you’ll understand more.

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And Here’s More Helpful News—

We’ve got more real-life inspiration coming soon!

IN COMING WEEKS, you’ll hear more the upcoming memoir, Rooted, by long-time writer and photographer Christy Berghoef. For now, please visit Christy’s Substack homepage (and you’ll be pleased to know that, although Substack does charge for some content, Christy publishes all her work free of charge). On that homepage, she writes about the fascinating photograph on the cover of her new book.

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National Conversation about ‘AI’ is only starting

AMERICANS have been buzzing about “AI” at least since late 2022, when OpenAI’s ChatGPT was rolling out for all of us to use. But, it’s important to realize that we’re only at the start of the national conversation about AI. Last week, we heard from a number of readers about the astonishment they felt when reading our story about the AI fiasco at The Chicago Sun-Times.

THIS WEEK, we also can recommend Bill Tammeus’s thoughtful column—about Pope Leo XIV’s reflections on AI. That column is located at Bill’s website and it’s particularly valuable because Bill has gathered and shared with readers some valuable links about background issues concerning AI.

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Where are all those butterflies flocking?

The flock is spreading across social media.

IN OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN THIS WEEK, Marketing Director Susan Stitt looks at new Pew Research data looking at both the new Bluesky and the older X platform. The question for authors is: Where are your readers headed? (And note: At the end of her column, Susan provides easy links to find our publishing house on Bluesky if you’d like to say hello and share some ideas there.)

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The Catholic Church’s 1st Millennial Saint

HAVE YOU HEARD OF CARLO ACUTIS? Michigan State University Bias Busters’ Founder Joe Grimm has the story for us about a boy who is soon to be “canonized” (officially identified by the Vatican as a saint worthy of veneration around the world).

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And, finally: No, sorry, the aliens aren’t going to save us.

FACING OUR FEARS SQUARELY, JEFFREY MUNROE writes a surprisingly hopeful column this week in his Reformed Journal magazine, explaining why he’s thankful for the beauty of each day we have on this planet—even if our cause may seem hopeless at the moment.

Jeff is a master at encouraging resilience and finding hope even in the midst of despair. He’s the author of the bestselling Telling Stories in the Dark. If you like his column about aliens, you’ll definitely want a copy of his book, as well.

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Holidays & Festivals

Lessons of Shavuot for our lives today

RABBI ROY FURMAN, THE AUTHOR OF OUR NEW BOOK ‘TORAH WRESTLING,’ grapples with lessons we can glean from the traditional festival of Shavuot.

 

Muslim families celebrate the Hajj, Eid al-Adha

Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on the worldwide Muslim celebration of the Hajj pilgrimage and its major concluding festival, the Eid al-Adha.

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Pentecost is coming

Stephanie Fenton reports on the holiday of Pentecost, an ancient Christian tradition recalling the church’s “birthday.”

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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

Jonathan Grimm recommends: ‘Resilience’

Inspiration from the ashes of southern California

HERE’S THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS WEEK’S FILM RECOMMENDATION: You can watch it right now via our streaming of the documentary. We’re featuring this film, this week, because Jonathan Grimm recommends it for people who want to more fully understand what so many families suffered early this year as wildfires ran rampant through sections of southern California.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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Novelist Lynne Golodner’s readers love the many ways she weaves faith and fiction

Lynne Golodner’s third novel—’I LOVE YOU, CHARLIE TANNER’—debuts for summer reading

COVER STORY: Regular readers of our online magazine already know Lynne Golodner (and likely already have read some of her many earlier books). Because this Memorial weekend is the launch of the summer reading season, we invited Lynne to tell us all about her latest adventures as a novelist—which includes the upcoming launch of her third novel, I LOVE YOU, CHARLIE TANNER.

And, yes, this column also includes links to Lynne’s earlier novels—which also are great for summer reading—as well as an invitation from Lynne to join her in a Zoom launch event for the new book in mid June.

Thanks Lynne for being a part of our community of writers for nearly two decades!

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And More Good News—

Thanks for asking us—
And, here is the video of that inspiring event

IN LAST WEEK’S ISSUE, we published a Front Edge Publishing column about the many ways Reformed Journal founder Jeffrey Munroe is demonstrating the power of great books to bring communities together.  That column included news about the “Free to be Faithful” public program co-hosted by Jeff (shown in the photo above in the center) along with Kristin Du Mez and Nicholas Walterstorff.

THEN, THIS WEEK, we are responding to our readers’ requests for a link to the actual video of the event pictured above. We have updated that original Front Edge column, so that it now opens with a YouTube video screen—thanks to the folks at the Institute for Christian Studies. You can easily “click” that “screen” to watch the entire, inspiring hour-and-10-minute session.

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Want to deepen your enjoyment of summer travel?

Listen to this conversation with Douglas J. Brouwer, author of the new ‘Traveler’s Path’

THIS WEEK, our community of writers wants to thank Simon and Lee—co-hosts of the “A Matter of Faith Podcast”. In a 47-minute episode of their podcast, the hosts talk with Douglas J. Brouwer about his new book, The Traveler’s Path. Especially in this time of rising anxieties about people from different races and cultures, the podcast hosts say, we all have timely opportunities to reach out and build healthy new relationships.

AND PLEASE DON’T MISS Doug’s review of the inspiring feature film ‘The Way,’ in our Faith & Film section below.

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Chicago Sun-Times fiasco shows why publishers are cautious about letting “AI” speak for us

THIS WEEK’S FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN looks at the embarrassing catastrophe at the Chicago Sun-Times, involving an unrestrained use of “AI”—and points out why responsible publishers are using AI more cautiously.

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Holidays & Festivals

What are you planning?

Here are suggestions for Memorial Day

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS EXPERT STEPHANIE FENTON has an information-packed column headlined: Americans commemorate fallen soldiers, honor history and break travel records. Stephanie’s column looks back to the wisdom of Robert Bellah on “civil religion,” a historic text that is well worth revisiting in 2025. Plus—she’s also packed this column with links to lots of terrific holiday recipes as well as “things to do” on this special weekend.

Then, consider the plight of Hmong Americans this year—

Hmong veterans are caught between 2 worlds and 2 Memorial Days

MAY IS AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH and, all month long, our weekly magazine has been publishing columns and news items about the challenges Asian Americans are facing in 2025, now that the White House has decided to cancel its longstanding support for such observances. Millions of Americans continue to celebrate with our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who are part of the AANHPI community.

This week, for Memorial Day, MSU Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm has written a short column explaining why Hmong-Americans, in particular, are “caught between 2 worlds and 2 Memorial Days.” In addition to our national Memorial Day, which is May 26 this year, Hmong-Americans remember
May 14 as the date in 1975 when the last U.S. military and CIA personnel were evacuated from Long Tieng, the secret base in Laos. Joe’s column concludes with a list of fascinating books about Asian Americans.
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Rabbi Roy Furman writes about lessons of Shavuot for our lives today

THE AUTHOR OF OUR NEW BOOK ‘TORAH WRESTLING’ grapples with lessons we can glean from the traditional festival of Shavuot, coming on June 1 this year.

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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

 

Have you heard of ‘walking the Camino’?

Douglas Brouwer recommends Martin Sheen in The Way

THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW MEMOIR, ‘THE TRAVELER’S PATH,’ DOUGLAS J. BROUWER provides our movie review of the week. The Camino de Santiago is pictured on the front cover of Doug’s new book. That’s because in this inspiring memoir from his many world travels, Doug includes his ongoing experiences, over the years, walking along portions of this ancient pilgrimage route. And, at one point in the podcast we’re recommending (above) this week, Doug touches on his Camino walks.

Here’s a direct link to Doug’s review of The Way in our Visual Parables section. At the end of his review, Doug also provides a link to Ed McNulty’s archived review of the feature film. (And, yes, Ed liked the film as much as Doug does.)

If you’re wanting to see this film, this week, it’s currently streaming on Peacock or can be “rented” on Amazon for fee.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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Police officer Keld Hove’s effort on restorative justice rises into a mission to heal communities one loaf of sourdough at a time

Danish-American Keld Hove says he has to help others: “If not me, then who?”

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS COVER STORY! This true story comes from author and journalist Suzy Farbman—author of GodSigns and a community-building activist in her own right.

As Suzy explains: Keld Hove is now known around the world through social media, TV broadcasts (including some that have aired in his native Denmark), as well as newspaper and magazine stories. He is respected both for his work as a pioneer in restorative policing practices—and for his discipline of teaching sourdough bread-making as a pillar of building healthy communities.

There are lots of surprises in this Cover Story about Keld Hove. Please enjoy the story yourself and then share it with friends via social media and email. Suzy’s story just a dose of “good news”—and good ideas, too—at this time when we all could use such an infusion of hope.

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And More Good News—

Jeffrey Munroe shows how great stories can inspire compassionate communities

IN THIS WEEK’S FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN, we write about the many ways Reformed Journal founder Jeffrey Munroe is demonstrating the power of great books to bring communities together. If you read this column, you may find yourself wanting to organize an event with Jeff.. is d

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From Dr. David Gushee—

Confronting the divisions in Christianity is a complex challenge

DR. DAVID GUSHEE continues to crisscross the United States this year, using his stature as one of the nation’s leading Christian ethicists to prophetically encourage a dramatic rethinking of what it means to be a Christian in America today.

On Monday, May 19, he has just published his latest major address to the Festival of Homiletics conference, which gathered over 1,400 primarily mainline Protestant church leaders from around the world. He titled his prophetic analysis of America’s Christian divisions: Proclaiming the Moral Teaching of Jesus.
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Holidays & Festivals

What are you planning for this holiday weekend?

Consider these Memorial Day activities and reflections

FIRST, HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS EXPERT STEPHANIE FENTON has an information-packed column headlined: Americans commemorate fallen soldiers, honor history and break travel records. Stephanie’s column looks back to the wisdom of Robert Bellah on “civil religion,” well worth revisiting in 2025. But she’s also packed this column with links to lots of terrific holiday recipes as well as “things to do” on this special weekend.

Then, consider the plight of Hmong Americans this year—

Hmong veterans are caught between 2 worlds and 2 Memorial Days

MAY IS AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH and, all month long, our weekly magazine has been publishing columns and news items about the challenges Asian Americans are facing in 2025, now that the White House has decided to cancel its longstanding support for such observances. Millions of Americans continue to celebrate with our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who are part of the AANHPI community.

This week, for Memorial Day, MSU Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm has written a short column explaining why Hmong-Americans, in particular, are “caught between 2 worlds and 2 Memorial Days.” In addition to our national Memorial Day, which is May 26 this year, Hmong-Americans remember
May 14 as the date in 1975 when the last U.S. military and CIA personnel were evacuated from Long Tieng, the secret base in Laos. Joe’s column concludes with a list of fascinating books about Asian Americans.
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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

 

And further notes:

THANKS TO READERS OF OUR ‘FRIENDSHIP BENCH’ COVERAGE: IF YOU ARE ORGANIZING A SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSION OF ‘FRIENDSHIP BENCH’, you might want to make arrangements for streaming the feature-length documentary about Chabanda’s work, which also is called “The Friendship Bench.” Currently, licensing for streaming this film comes through the nonprofit “Good Docs,” which offers a broad range of prices and options. Here’s the Good Docs page to learn more about arranging for a screening.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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Good news for Mental Health Awareness Month: Please meet Dr. Dixon Chibanda and his ‘Friendship Bench’

Cover story: A grassroots response to community mental health comes to us from Zimbabwe

Dr. Dixon Chibanda’s partnership with Zimbabwean women is becoming a global model

COVER STORY—Thanks to our friends at New World Library, our ReadTheSpirit magazine is partnering this week in the national effort to spread news about the innovative grassroots work of Dr. Dixon Chibanda. New World has just released his book. (And below in our Faith & Film section, we also are recommending a documentary film about Dr. Chibanda’s work that could be used in a group discussion of the book.)

Please, do a good deed this week and read our Cover Story about Dr. Dixon Chibanda, which is an excerpt of his new book provided by his publisher, New World. Then, take a moment to use the convenient social-media sharing buttons and send a link to this story to your own friends and community. Millions of families around the world struggle with mental illness every day. Let’s all be part of sharing hope and good news this month. If you find friends who also are interested in Dr. Chibanda’s book—you’ll find this is a great opportunity to spark small-group discussions.

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AANHPI Heritage Month continues

Many groups are stepping up to honor these Americans

DESPITE THE WHITE HOUSE CANCELATION OF ITS ANNUAL PARTICIPATION—many groups nationwide are stepping up to continue recognizing this special month with important resources.

MSU Bias Busters Founder Joe Grimm brings us five examples of groups who are honoring our AANHPI neighbors in special ways—and his story includes links to some of these valuable resourcs.

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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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And, More Good News—

Dave Larsen’s ‘Green Street’ book events are part of healthy national conversation

TIMELY NEWS FROM FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING—The author of ‘Green Street in Black and White’ encourages healthy national conversations through events discussing his Chicago-based novel.

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Dr. David Gushee: ‘Convictional. Resistant. Steadfast.’

DR. DAVID GUSHEE was invited to deliver a sermon at the annual “Commissioning Service” at the Mercer University School of Theology on May 9. He titled this message, Convictional. Resistant. Steadfast.

 

Faith & film

There’s a feature-length documentary about Dr. Chabanda’s work with Friendship Bench

IF YOU ARE ORGANIZING A SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSION OF ‘FRIENDSHIP BENCH’, you might want to make arrangements for streaming the feature-length documentary about Chabanda’s work, which also is called “The Friendship Bench.” Currently, licensing for streaming this film comes through the nonprofit “Good Docs,” which offers a broad range of prices and options. Here’s the Good Docs page to learn more about arranging for a screening.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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Cover Story: Let’s celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Let’s all take this opportunity to learn more about our neighbors—even as the White House quits honoring these groups

We’ve got “Top 10 Books” to learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders living among us

COVER STORY—There’s no one better than Michigan State University School of Journalism “Bias Busters” founder Joe Grimm to bring us this story—and to tell us about 10 books we all should be reading—and sharing with friends this month.

Please consider joining our community of writers in this simple “good deed” this month. We know that a lot of our readers are looking for ways to do something good in our troubled world. Well, that’s easy this month: Buy a book! Then, buy another book for a friend! Then, start a discussion group to talk about these books. Just because the White House wants to erase these opportunities to learn more about our neighbors—we don’t have to obey that executive order. Instead, let’s be peacemakers this month and continue to honor these friends in May—as millions of Americans have since the 1970s.

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Yes, there is an American Cardinal who might be pope—

Please, meet Cardinal Joe Tobin

THANKS TO AUTHOR, JOURNALIST AND CATHOLIC HISTORIAN PATRICIA MONTEMURRI, viewers nationwide are watching an inspiring 9-minute documentary about Detroit-born Cardinal Joe Tobin, who currently is Archbishop ofNewark, New Jersey. In addition to the public television video, you can read the text of Montemurri’s profile of Tobin as well. Tobin’s story is showcased on this Detroit PBS web page.

AND—Don’t miss the news (below in our Faith & Film section) about the upcoming film that Martin Scorsese made with Pope Francis.

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Celebrating our authors’ No. 1 New Release flags on Amazon

IN OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN, this week, Marketing Director Susan Stitt explains how we follow what’s now a best practice across the publishing industry to show eager reader interest in newly released books.

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Holidays & Milestones

Are you ready for Mother’s Day?

Did you know—It’s one of the biggest days for churches

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on Mother’s Day and reminds us of the roots of this very popular observance, which started in churches. In fact, today, Stephanie reports that Mother’s Day yields the highest U.S. church attendance after Christmas Eve and Easter.

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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

 

Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss Pope Francis’s Martin Scorsese movie

HAVE YOU SEEN PHOTOS FLOATING AROUND THE INTERNET of Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis smiling as they hold up an ‘Aldeas’ movie clapboard?

Well, please stay tuned for future news about this feature-length documentary that Pope Francis invited filmmaker Martin Scorsese to produce—including an interview the two conducted at the Vatican. A release date has not been announced, but—for now—here’s an Associated Press update, headlined: Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis teamed to produce a documentary called ‘Aldeas — A New Story’

As we learn more about this film’s roll out—we’ll be sure to let our readers know.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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Dave Larsen’s new page-turning historical novel is as gripping as today’s headlines

His novel asks the question:

What are our kids learning from us, right now, about the kinds of communities we want to build?

COVER STORY—Early readers are telling Dave Larsen that they are recognizing themselves and their families in this compelling new novel that asks the question: What are we teaching our kids right now by the decisions we are making in our communities? Those readers also are telling Larsen that they see themselves and their own families in this book—and they are eager to talk about this book with friends and in their small groups. Please enjoy this cover story—which features both an interview with Larsen and some fascinating resources to learn more about divisions in our neighborhoods today—and then share a link to this story with friends. You may discover that you can spark a welcome conversation.

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A Truly Global Catholic Church Gathers to Elect Pope Francis’s Successor

FIRST, WE’VE GOT OUR OWN NEWS-ANALYSIS, this week, focused on the diversity Pope Francis brought to the election of his successor. That story is headlined: “Don’t let the rows of scarlet cassocks confuse you—this is a truly global Catholic gathering to elect Pope Francis’s successor”

FOR A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, we recommend a new column from our friends at the Reformed Journal online magazine. This analysis was is by Wes Granberg-Michaelson, the General Secretary Emeritus of the Reformed Church in America. Wes’s column is headlined: “What Pope Francis Wanted to Change.”

THEN, FOR A THIRD POINT OF VIEW, we recommend this column from our friends at The National Catholic Reporter, headlined: “This is the deciding factor in picking the next pope”

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Holidays & Milestones

50th anniversary of Vietnam War’s end sparks tragic—and hopeful—memories

1975 also was the birth of vibrant Hmong American communities

THIS WEEK, we’ve got two stories marking this huge milestone in American life.

FIRST, we have a Holidays, Festivals & Observances story about the end of the war—which includes the headline: While a tragic era ended, vibrant new Hmong communities also were born among hard-working refugees in the U.S. This story also includes a fascinating video overview of the April 30 anniversary—thanks to CBS News for sharing this video clip.

THEN, in our Front Edge Publishing column this week, MSU’s Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm writes about our collective efforts to help raise awareness of this remarkable community within the U.S. Joe’s story includes both a video of a Hmong-American woman talking about their migration, as a people—and Joe also shares links to a helpful book we hope you can share with others to tell the story of Hmong-Americans. That story is headlined: End of Vietnam War 50 years ago also was bitter-sweet birth of American-Hmong communities

If you are among our thousands of readers nationwide who care about lifting up the stories of America’s diverse array of religious, cultural and racial communities—one way to help in that effort is to read Joe’s column, order copies of that MSU Hmong-American book he recommends and then share those books with friends.

And the same is true of the next news item in our Holidays & Festivals section this week.
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The U.S. speaks in mixed messages in this new powwow season

THIS WEEK, MSU Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm also reports on mixed messages from U.S. officials as the nation’s annual biggest powwow—the Gathering of Nations—was marked by the release of four colorful commemorative postage stamps. Meanwhile, the Trump administration cut a program to help preserve the history of the atrocities committed across more than a century of boarding school programs that imprisoned Native American children. Both news stories unfolded this month.

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AND AS APRIL TRANSITIONS TO MAY—our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton is helping us to wish “Happy Ridván!” to our Baha’i friends and neighbors. Stephanie explains why this is known as “King of Festivals” to Baha’i families around the world.

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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

 

Joining a group just might save your life

THIS WEEK, we welcome author and financial consultant Jonathan Grimm with his review of a remarkable documentary, based on Robert Putnam in Bowling Alone. The film is conveniently streaming right now on Netflix.

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Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.

 

 

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