Ways to preach harmony between humans and the natural world.
OUR COVER STORY this week looks ahead to Earth Day. Because we know that many of our readers are community leaders—including teachers, preachers, social service providers and media professionals—we are publishing Henry Brinton’s Earth Day column early enough in April so that you might consider his appeal. As a pastor himself, Henry focuses specifically on how leaders in congregations nationwide might approach this urgent milestone this year. Then, whether or not you are part of a congregation, this story also includes links to help you explore these issues further— including how to use the “Earthrise” photograph yourself, how to find out about the lengthy new UN-sponsored report and even how to find helpful international groups working on these issues already. Please, if you find Henry’s column helpful, share it with friends via social media and email.
.P
Passover continues this week
‘The Broken Matzoh’
RABBI LENORE BOHM—author of Torah Tutor: A Contemporary Torah Study Guide—writes about the symbolism of breaking a matzah to create the afikomen that is hidden during the Passover seder. In that ritual—which also involves inviting our children to search for that broken piece of matzah—families have an opportunity to think about ways we can heal from our own brokenness. Whatever your faith may be, there is wisdom in this column that you may want to share with your own friends and family this week.
.
And so does Ramadan
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS columnist Stephanie Fenton reported on the start of Ramadan 2023. And, yes, Stephanie includes links to some delicious recipes that many Muslim families enjoy when they break their fast after sunset each night. Come back next week for a look at the huge celebration, the Eid, that accompanies the end of Ramadan around April 20 this year.
.
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
From Our Authors—
Are you wondering what ordinary people can do?
THAT’S A MAJOR THEME OF THIS WEEK’S ISSUE—and it’s a theme we write about frequently in ReadTheSpirit magazine. Pastor, author and leadership coach Larry Buxton wrote up a wonderful, real-life illustration of this theme, headlined The Doctor’s Mocha Medicine. It’s well worth clicking on that link, which takes you to Larry’s website to read that column. This simple story may make you more aware, this week, of things you might do yourself to make this world a better place. Thanks Larry!
.
And: Let’s look out for the safety of others
EMILY BROWN, who is now a TV reporter in Montana, had been a contributing columnist for our ReadTheSpirit magazine, specializing in the wonders of the natural world. These days, she’s also reporting on urgent issues such as highway safety in those gorgeous mountain landscapes. If you recall Emily’s work and want to catch up with her latest reporting: Here’s a story from the KPAX-TV website in which she warned Montana residents about a particularly deadly stretch of roadway—and you’ll likely be surprised by what happens as her road-side reporting begins.
.
.
Click on this movie still to read Ed McNulty’s review of “The Lost King.”
.
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. 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.
Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:
- THE LOST KING—(In theaters) Ed writes, “That truth is sometimes more bizarre than fiction is well demonstrated in Director Stephen Frears latest film, a historical detective story.”
- KNOCK AT THE CABIN—(Streaming on Peacock) Ed writes, “The stakes in director M. Night Shyamalan’s new film, based on the 2018 novel by Paul Tremblay, are high. In most horror films it is just the survival of the protagonists, but in this tale it is nothing less than the survival of the whole world.”
- OPERATION MINCEMEAT—(Streaming on Netflix) “For those of us who missed 1956’s The Man Who Never Was, Netflix’s current film will introduce us to one of the great deceptions of WWII.”
- CLOSE—(Streaming) “‘Close’ well describes the friendship of two Belgian boys in Lukas Dhont‘s heartbreaking film.”
- THE QUIET GIRL—(Streaming) “Irish director Colm Bairead, with his co-writer Claire Keegan (author of the book the film is based on) has given us a touching story of a young girl from a dysfunctional family provided a chance to blossom despite her distracted parents.”
- ZORA NEALE HURSTON: CLAIMING A PLACE—(Streaming) This PBS-sponsored documentary is well worth streaming, Ed tells us.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
