Cover Story: Inspiration for both old and young!

HONESTY ABOUT AGING
(AND DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD)

MEET MISSY—“As an older adult, you have a responsibility to younger people. They are watching and learning about aging from you. Think of what you are teaching them about God’s faithfulness,” writes the popular author Missy Buchanan in her eighth major project: a 365-day calendar-bound inspirational reader. If you haven’t met Missy in our earlier coverage of her work over the past decade, then you’re in for a treat today! As millions of American Christians prepare for spiritual reading during the season of Lent, we are naturally hoping you will check out our own Bookstore. In addition, we urge our readers to consider books and films from a host of other sources. This week, we have a fresh interview with Missy about the creation of this new calendar that is packed with what she callsSpirit BoostersWe bet there’s someone you love who would enjoy this calendar during Lent—and then throughout the year.

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AND FOR THE YOUNG AMONG US …

HAPPY 75TH BIRTHDAY! Did you know that The Poky Little Puppy—at 15 million copies sold—is one of the world’s top bestsellers for children surpassing even the mega-bestseller The Cat in the Hat? That’s because, in 1942, it was the first book in a revolutionary wave of publishing known as Little Golden Books. This year marks the 75th birthday, or diamond anniversary, of this project that radically democratized early-childhood literacy. Read our story about the birth and mission of Golden Books.

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LASTING MEMORIES

GodSigns—This week, columnist Suzy Farbman brings us the story of Kate Carter who uses her camera to tell the life stories of people who are dying. She does it on a shoestring, and now has captured the legacy of 1,500 men and women.

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INTERFAITH ‘RESILIENCY’

FROM KARLA HUBER—Long-time ReadTheSpirit friend Karla Huber joins with many of our colleagues in Michigan in occasional regional gatherings to talk about cooperation in our work as media professionals. She recently wrote this column about the Michigan-based call for Commitment to Resiliency in the rising tide of right-wing groups in America. Please, take a moment to read Karla’s column on her website—and, yes, she includes links to learn more about this Commitment.

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CONGRATS, MSU STUDENTS!

‘TO MY PROFESSOR’Thanks to MediaShift magazine for this in-depth story about the Michigan State University School of Journalism book called To My Professor. (This link takes you to the story on the MediaShift website.) Care to learn more about the book? Here is a description of this unique guide to interactions between students and teachers.

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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

CHECK OUT ALL OF 2017’s SPECIAL DAYS—It’s as simple as visiting www.InterfaithHolidays.org where you’ll find all of 2017’s major observances listed. Please, alert us if you spot an occasion we’ve missed.

ONE EASTER THIS YEAR! 
This is one of the unusual years when the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity converge on a single date for Easter: April 16. That means Eastern Orthodox Great Lent begins with Clean Monday on February 27; and Western Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 1.

MEATFARE / CHEESEFAREStephanie Fenton reports on Eastern Orthodox preparations for fasting during Lent—and she includes links to some delicious recipes as Eastern Christians prepare to give up meat and then cheese. Cheesefare Sunday is February 26 this year.

FAT TUESDAY / ASH WEDNESDAY—While Eastern Christians begin their Lenten season with Clean Monday on February 27, more than a billion Western Christians start Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 1 this year). Unlike their Eastern brothers and sisters in the faith, most Western Christians don’t observe traditional fasting customs during Lent. However, that older tradition remains alive in the custom of festivities and the consumption of “fats” before Lent begins. Stephanie Fenton has the story about Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, including some fascinating links to holiday resources.

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MAHA SHIVARATRIHolidays columnist Stephanie Fenton covers the Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. For many devotees, a day of fasting is followed by a nighttime vigil in honor of Lord Shiva.

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FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE

ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org. And please, consider subscribing to the one resource that supports Ed’s ongoing work—and is enjoyed by individuals and small groups nationwide: Visual Parables Journal. Each monthly issue is packed with complete study guides to current films. The new February issue is now available to subscribers.

Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:

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