Click the image to read about Tom Stella.
130 Invitations to Spiritual Reawakening
COVER STORY—This week, we welcome back Tom Stella, a chaplain with a talent for sparking spiritual reflection in the midst of our busy lives. Tom invites us to pause for a moment in our otherwise hectic work week. Then, he tries to change our perspective through compelling quotes and memorable stories, coupled with his own pointed advice for what he calls “Reviving a Sense of the Sacred in Everyday Life.” Please, read this week’s Cover Story in which David Crumm interviews Tom and describes this insightful new book. As you’ll quickly learn, this is a story you may also want to share with friends. The book has lots of thought-provoking material for small group discussion—or individual reflection. And, Tom’s style of writing is a valuable model for other professionals who want to craft such columns themselves. Enjoy!
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Click the photo to read the story of Jo and her friends.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TODAY
GOD SIGNS—This week’s Cover Story author Tom Stella knows what he’s talking about when he describes the widespread interest in spiritual practices. This week, Suzy Farbman brings us a vivid example of the popularity, today. She tells us the story of Jo Kleindienst, a cancer survivor, who became so inspired by the ancient Way of St. James in Spain that she devoted a month of her life to that famous pilgrimage. This was not without challenges! Yet, Jo had companions with her—a daughter and a friend—and the journey changed her life. Enjoy this week’s column and, please, share it with friends.
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Click on the Cricket to read Elaine’s Top 10 list.
TOP 10 WAYS TO SING A HAPPY TUNE
ELAINE GREENBERG’S SONG LIST—Nothing stops Elaine! Not mishaps in her neighborhood. Not crises at home. And not even a diagnosis of cancer. That’s why Elaine Greenberg is known throughout southeast Michigan for her many years of cheerful performances to life people’s spirits—and raise money for cancer-support programs. This week, Elaine shares her Top 10 list of songs guaranteed to make you happy. And, she also shares her remarkable life story of community service. We dare you to start singing these songs. You’re guaranteed to start smiling!
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REACHING YOUNG READERS
Click this image to read about the MSU team.
CONGRATULATIONS BIAS BUSTERS! The Michigan State University School of Journalism students known as Bias Busters will be honored again by the national group for college journalism educators. The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication chose the MSU Bias Busters book series as a winner in the Best Practices Competition. The 2018 theme is Teaching Diversity in Journalism and Mass Communication. The Bias Busters recently reached a major milestone of asking—and answering—10,000 questions in their guidebooks! Series editor and MSU journalism professor Joe Grimm will accept the honor—second place in the category—on August 7 in Washington D.C. The first-place winner is Jan Larson of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for “Immersion Reporting: Civil Conversation. Third place goes to Jennifer Sadler of the University of Mississippi.
HOW CAN WE REACH YOUNG READERS? David Crumm reports on recent Pew Research with some surprising findings about young adult reading preferences. Did you know that “young folks” read more books than “old folks”? Did you know that teens seem to be abandoning Facebook in huge numbers? This column also has a direct link to download a free 19-page PDF of the May 31 Pew report on teens and social media.
INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING? Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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Holidays
READY FOR FATHER’S DAY?—Stephanie Fenton reminds us that it’s coming on June 17. The holiday’s roots stretch back to 1910 in Spokane, Washington. Ever since then, families have faced the annual challenge of what to do for Dad’s special day. Well, Stephanie also includes a half dozen links to great ideas that just might help you answer the question this year.
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Click these Eid al-Fitr sweets to read about the holidays.
Ramadan Celebrations
EID IS COMING SOON—The vast majority of the world’s nearly 2 billion Muslims are observing the annual fast of Ramadan and, this week, Stephanie Fenton looks at the two big festivals at the crescendo of this month of spiritual reflection: Laylat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr. The first marks the moment when the Prophet Muhammad received the revelation of the Quran. The second is the big festival that ends the fasting month. If you’re not Muslim, Stephanie’s column is valuable because it helps us all understand these traditions that are so important to friends, neighbors and co-workers.
MUSLIM PUBLISHING—In our FrontEdgePublishing section, we take a look at the challenges Muslim writers and readers face in trying to get their books published in the U.S., these days.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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FAITH & FILM
Click on the movie still to read about Lean on Pete.
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.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- LEAN ON PETE—Yes, the film features a boy and a horse named Pete, but it’s really a story of the boy’s search for happiness and wellbeing. Ed urges us not to miss this film. (5 stars)
- BOOK CLUB—Ed says you may want to see this movie, if you’re a fan of the leading actresses, including Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen. But overall? It’s so predictable that Ed gives it only 2.5 out of 5 stars.
- DEADPOOL 2—Ed writes, “This second film about the Marvel Comics superhero with self-healing powers is just as funny as the first film—and unfortunately just as violent and foul-mouthed.” (4 stars)
- THE ESCAPE—In this British film, a housewife’s life has become too claustrophobic. (4 stars)
- WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR—Fred Rogers was the most famous Presbyterian minister in North America before his death in 2003. Ed McNulty gives this documentary by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville 5 out of 5 stars.
- SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY—Director Ron Howard delivers a deep space heist/cowboy film packed with thrills and a few surprises. (4 stars)
- ITZHAK—Lovers of great music will find much to enjoy in Alison Chernick’s documentary about violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman. (4 stars)
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Click the movie poster to read Ed’s review.
RBG—Co-directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West not only document Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s great contributions to American law, but also present what could be called “one of the great love stories of the 20th century.” (4.5 stars)
- POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD—Documentary filmmaker Wim Wenders presents an inspiring look at the work and travels of this pontiff, who is bringing hope to many around the world. (5 stars)
- RED DUST—With an excellent cast, director Tom Hooper brings to life a fictional story that mirrors many dramas played out across South Africa as Apartheid ended and reconciliation was unfolding. (4.5 stars)
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