Honoring father … just as he was
COVER STORY—Benjamin Pratt returns this week with a column that will touch many of us as we reflect on our fathers this week. Are you finding yourself wanting to adjust your memories of your father just a little bit? It’s a natural desire, writes Pratt, a veteran counselor and author of books about caregiving and spiritual wellbeing. Perhaps if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to honor our fathers—honestly.
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Social Justice Films—Pecha-Kucha Style
‘MUST SEE’ MOVIES—Recently, Visual Parables film critic Edward McNulty presented a PechaKucha for an audience in Dayton, Ohio. His chosen theme was social-justice films that should be on your Bucket List. What is “PechaKucha”? It’s a presentation format in which 20 images are shown, each for 20 seconds. The format was devised to force rambling speakers to be more concise. See what Ed said in his 400 seconds.
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An unlikely artist’s vision lives on
GOD SIGNS—Suzy Farbman brings us an update this week on the legacy of the late “outsider” artist Ed Lantzer. Sometimes homeless and largely ignored as an artist, his life’s work in wood mosaics—all images from the Bible—have a whole new life thanks to supporters who see a great depth in his huge panels. Friends and followers now are drawing interest from young and old.
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
JUNETEENTH—Now, the holiday marking the end of slavery in the U.S. is officially known as Juneteenth Independence Day. The holiday began in Texas, where U.S. military finally enforced the Emancipation Proclamation months after the end of the war. Today, the holiday has spread nationwide.
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PLAN NOW FOR FATHER’S DAY! Read Stephanie Fenton’s column on the holiday and you’ll find the roots of this century-old observance began in church—following the model of Mother’s Day, which also began in church.
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FILM, FAITH & CULTURE
LOVE MOVIES? Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: www.VisualParables.org. The one service Ed sells, to support his work, is the monthly Visual Parables Journal, packed with complete study guides for your individual enjoyment—or use in small groups. We’ve just added the June issue.
Among Ed’s recent free reviews are …
- THE MEDDLER—Susan Sarandon is delightful, says Ed McNulty. (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY—You’ll have to search for this unusual biographical drama about mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. (4 stars)
- THE LOBSTER—You’ll also have to look for this unusual, dystopian film—but it’s worth the effort, says Ed. (4.5 stars)
- ROSEWOOD—This week, Ed reaches back to 1997 to recommend the terrific (5 star) film about a racial tragedy in the 1920s.
- LOVE & FRIENDSHIP—It’s a Jane Austin story directed by Whit Stillman, who hasn’t made many movies but has a very loyal following for films like Metropolitan and The Last Days of Disco. (4 stars)
- ANGRY BIRDS—Ed hasn’t overlooked this pop-culture hit. And, he finds it—well, good fun. (4 stars)
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