GET ‘GROUNDED’—It’s time to come together
COVER STORY—This summer, David Crumm and Debbie Houghton have been leading readers on a pilgrimage through Diana Butler Bass’s inspiring new book, Grounded. This week—at the close of two historic and tumultuous political conventions in America—we explore the ancient spiritual call to “come together.” David Crumm writes about Neighbors and Commons, including a glimpse of the green grazing land on the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scotland. Please, we invite you to read our Cover Story: Can We See the Forest for Our Trees?
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A TRULY GROUNDED ARTIST
SUZY FARBMAN WRITES—In her GodSigns column, this week, Suzy Farbman explores the unusual world of painter Margie Guyot, who left behind a life as a rock musician and a laborer in an auto factory to create her own colorful world: Possom Hollow. From that remote studio in the Midwest, she creates paintings—and a robust appreciation of life’s many joys.
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FEED THE SPIRIT
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES!—In keeping with our “grounded” theme this week, FeedTheSpirit’s Bobbi Lewis brings us a guest column by one of the most popular food writers ever to appear in ReadTheSpirit: Rabbi “Eli” Finkelman. Many of our readers have praised Eli’s earlier columns on topics, including pickles. This time, Eli writes about making quick cheeses at home. That’s right: quick cheeses. Enjoy!
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
LAMMAS / LUGHNASADH— In the withering heat of July across most of the U.S., it may seem surprising to look at the ancient harvest festivals coming on August 1. An ancient festival of the wheat harvest, Lammas—or Lughnasadh—has long been called “the feast of first fruits.”
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HIROSHIMA DAY—On August 6, many people around the world recall the bombing of Hiroshima. To help us mark the occasion, faith-and-film critic Ed McNulty reminds us of a solid 1995 film about that milestone..
TISHA B’AV—Coming in mid August, Jews around the world will fast for one day in recollection of the loss of temples in Jerusalem many centuries ago. The book of Lamentations is read in the synagogue. Read Stephanie Fenton’s column, which includes an excerpt from Debra Darvick’s, This Jewish Life.
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FILM, FAITH & CULTURE
Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- THE INFILTRATOR—Based on the dramatic case of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, this film is absolutely first-rate, says Ed McNulty. (5 out of 5 stars)
- DHEEPAN—French director Jacques Audiard’s new film immerses us in the world of immigrants so that we can feel their confusion and fears, as well as their hopes and dreams. (4.5 stars)
- STAR TREK BEYOND—Ed gives the new Star Trek movie 4 stars.
- GLEASON—Don’t miss this documentary about former New Orleans Saints NFL football player Steve Gleason. (5 stars)
- MY LIFE—On a similar theme, you might want to look back to the 1990s on Netflix, or some other movie service, for this moving Michael Keaton film. (5 stars)
- HELL OR HIGH WATER—Enjoy Jeff Bridges? He’s back as a tough Texas Ranger in this suspenseful Western about brothers trying to save their home through bank robbery. (5 stars)
- SECRET LIFE OF PETS—You don’t have to be a pet owner to enjoy this animated fable. (4 stars)
- FREE STATE OF JONES—There’s controversy about this film, based on a little-known chapter in Civil War history. But, overall, it’s a fascinating movie that Ed urges us to go see. (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- OUR KIND OF TRAITOR—This story by John Le Carre reminds Ed of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much. (4 stars).
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