HELP SPREAD GOOD NEWS ABOUT AMERICA
BACK TO SCHOOL—Back to basics. And the most important bedrock for all of us this school year is remembering what it means to be American. In this week’s cover story, you’ll learn about the genius of a veteran educator who specializes in teaching English to newcomers to our shores. As she tried to help these hopeful arrivals over the years, Kathleen Gripman’s biggest frustration was that traditional English as a Second Language programs do a poor job of helping men and women to understand American history.
There are tangible benefits in addressing that challenge now—as you will learn in this week’s cover story. For example, school districts with a significant number of ESL students can raise collective test scores. But there are far bigger benefits as well! In 2017, as our nation faces many dangers, it is essential that we collectively remember what it means to be citizens of this remarkable nation.
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WHY CAN’T WE TALK?
FAR AWAY & CLOSE TO HOME—Columnist and author Benjamin Pratt returns this week with an invitation to readers: If you continue to be troubled by the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, one month ago—come on a pilgrimage with Benjamin and his wife Judith to South Africa to reflect on racial divisions from a different perspective. Ben concludes that we all can take action to bridge the deep divisions between us.
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Want to see all the holidays? Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org.
WHAT IS A PATRIOT? Years ago, the annual remembrance of the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 was renamed Patriot Day and our Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story. In this year’s White House proclamation of the holiday, attention is called to the patriotism of the thousands of responders to the current storms ravaging the American South. There are also several helpful links to learn more.
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NAVARATRI—Across India and in Hindu communities around the world, an upcoming festival celebrates the divine feminine Devi or Durga. There are many regional variations and also alternate English spellings of the holiday. In communities that observe the festival, Navaratri brings out orchestras and community-wide singing; nighttime dances in the streets combine with bountiful feasts and shrines are elaborately decorated. Stephanie has the story for you.
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CREATIVE SPIRIT!
GodSigns—Each week, columnist Suzy Farbman reminds us of the countless creative and compassionate Americans who keep our communities strong and vibrant. This week, she tells the story of the now near-legendary Michigan artist Sue Bolt, who moved to the northern part of the state in the ’60s and half a century later is still creating vibrant art in a wide range of media.
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‘TINY HOMES’
HUGE HOPES
DON’T MISS this amazing story about the grand-new community Detroiters are building at the 50th anniversary of America’s worst urban rebellion! And, stay tuned to our online magazine, because there’s also a full-color book coming about the project. PBS News Hour just reported an in-depth story from this emerging neighborhood that we are describing as a “utopian community.”
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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 at VisualParables.org. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with complete study guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- CITY OF GHOSTS—Like many films reviewed by Ed McNulty, this is one that may cause you to search a bit. The search is worth it, Ed says, giving the documentary 5 out of 5 stars. The film focuses on a group of citizen journalists trying to battle ISIS messages in the Middle East, using cell phones, social media and news outlets to counter ISIS’s own slick propaganda.
- WHOSE STREETS? Another documentary to put on your viewing list, says Ed, is this fascinating exploration of what unfolded in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. (5 stars)
- BRIGSBY BEAR—This new tale of a child raised in captivity may seem similar to the earlier drama Room, but it’s not nearly as good, says Ed.
- WIND RIVER—Ed calls this exciting drama in the frozen wilderness “one of the best films of the year,” giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
- SHORT TERM 12—This is a terrific feature film, says Ed. (5 stars)
- THE WOMEN’S BALCONY—You’ll have to look around to find this new film set in Jerusalem, but the search is worth the effort, says Ed, giving this movie 5 out of 5 stars.
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