FINDING HOPE IN DANGEROUS TIMES
DR. DAVID GUSHEE SPEAKS, at length, in this week’s Cover Story about the landmark publication of two books: A third and definitive edition of his Changing Our Mind (which includes a small-group study guide and also Gushee’s pointed response to his critics) as well as an inspiring memoir about his Christian journey away from American evangelicalism.
Need a solid dose of hope and encouragement? You’ll find it in this week’s Cover Story. At one point, Gushee tells us about his response to daily headlines about dangerous confrontations over our nation’s vulnerable minorities: “Each day there is new evidence of this tearing at America’s soul. … What gives me hope is that there also is a very solid constituency in our country for an expansive, inclusive society that happily welcomes diversity of all types: racial, sexual, gender and religious diversity.” And, please, share this week’s Cover Story with friends!
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
FATHER’S DAY
DID YOU KNOW? Father’s Day is only 45 years old. Even though the idea was proposed more than a century ago, it wasn’t an official observance until 1972. Stephanie Fenton, our Holidays expert, tells the story behind this popular occasion. She also shares some helpful (and delicious) links to recipes and holiday ideas.
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TRINITY SUNDAY—Stephanie Fenton also reports on a Christian festival marked around the world that has deep roots in the faith.
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RAMADAN
- OVERVIEW: Our coverage by Holidays expert Stephanie Fenton.
- HELPFUL BOOK: Learn about The Beauty of Ramadan, a detailed overview of Muslim customs in this special month.
- QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Also, please consider this Michigan State University book that many readers find very helpful in understanding Muslim customs and culture.
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Want more on holidays? Remember the simple address: www.InterfaithHolidays.org.
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SUZY FARBMAN
HIGH ‘STEAKS’ BET—Journalists are always eager to predict American trends, so the Farbmans and famed journalist Charles Eisendrath made a big bet on the U.S. presidential election. The results left the good-natured journalist eating … well, that’s the story, so please click here and read about what happened. (Along the way: You’ll learn more about Eisendrath’s amazing invention that today is considered state-of-the-art grilling.)
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FILM & FAITH:
ED McNULTY’s easy-to-remember online address is at VisualParables.org.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- DISTURBING THE PEACE—You may have to search for this film, but it’s a remarkable, inspiring look at a group of Israelis and Palestinians who are working toward peace in a new way. Ed gives the film 5 out of 5 stars. (And, if you’re interested in thought-provoking films about this part of the world, Ed also suggests we reach back to see Al Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine.)
- GOING IN STYLE—There are some fun moments here and some endearing performances, but the overall movie about three aging, would-be thieves is only so-s0, Ed concludes.
- THEIR FINEST—You might have to search a bit for this delightful film set during the Blitz in World War II Britain. But it’s well worth it, writes Ed. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THE CIRCLE—Tom Hanks stars as a Steve Jobs kind of character in an “intellectual thriller” that Ed praises with 4.5 stars.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, 2—Ed gives this sequel 4 stars.
- ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS—This week, Ed also urges us to reach back for this wonderful 2000 film.
- BORN IN CHINA—It’s appropriate that Disney engaged Chinese director Lu Chuan to helm this beautiful nature film, most of which was shot in the China highlands. (4 stars)
- WHITE HELMETS—”We are indebted to Netflix for making documentarian Orlando von Einsiedel’s short film so widely available,” Ed writes. (5 stars)
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