HUMANE SOCIETY OFFERS READY-TO-USE LESSONS
COVER STORY—The Humane Society of the United States—founded in 1954 and now comprised of 11 million members—understands the deep connection between faith and compassion for the world’s population of humans and non-human creatures. New this spring, HSUS is offering a free set of lesson plans to help children begin to build their own caring connection between our faith—and our concern for life on Planet Earth. Today, start by reading this story about the new offering from HSUS. Use it yourself or share this news with parents or educators you know.
ALSO—The HSUS has published a book-length overview of teachings about care for living things issued by many major religious groups. Their book is called, Every Living Thing. This spring, the book has been recommended by a noted vegetarian journal. So, you’ll also want to read this story that shares news about this latest recommendation of the HSUS book.
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EXPAND YOUR WORLD:
FEED YOUR SPIRIT
DISCOVER AMERICA’S DIVERSE FLAVORS—Our FeedTheSpirit columnist Bobbie Lewis invites us all, this week, to stroll with her through one of America’s great centers of Arab-American cuisine: Dearborn, Michigan. Bobbie and her husband signed up for a special walking—and tasting—tour of the ever-expanding Dearborn food scene. And, she also shares a delightful recipe for a savory, vegetarian stew.
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
TWO ISRAELI HOLIDAYS—Jewish communities around the world, this week, will be marking a day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives defending Israel—as well as Israel’s independence day. Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on these back-to-back observances with links to additional inspirational readings.
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PENTECOST—The Eastern and Western branches of Christianity are separated by about a month this year, due to traditional differences in the way Christian leaders mark the date of Easter on the calendar. However, for the majority of churches across the U.S., Sunday May 15 is Pentecost Sunday, sometimes referred to simply as “the birthday of the church.” Stephanie Fenton has the story.
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WHEN LILACS BLOOM—We never need an excuse to invoke the spirit of Walt Whitman and Abe Lincoln in the pages of ReadTheSpirit. Of all the topics we have explored through the past decade, coverage of Lincoln in general draws the most readers—thousands upon thousands. So, if you are like us in our Michigan home office, and lilacs once again are blooming in your “dooryard,” you may want to revisit our page devoted to Whitman’s verse on Lincoln. Come on. Share this with a friend.
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DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD
Since ReadTheSpirit magazine was founded a decade ago, the single most popular writer has been Dr. Wayne Baker, creator of the daily OurValues series that published 2,000 columns on American values before it concluded in late 2015. This story explains what Dr. Baker has been doing since then—including news of a powerful new App he and his wife are offering through their leadership-training company. Plus, we’ve got a brand-new TEDx video of Baker talking about the universal value best known by the phrase: “Pay it forward!”
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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
In addition, consider subscribing to the one service Ed sells to support his work: the long-running Visual Parables Journal, which provides complete study guides for new films in each monthly issue. The May 2016 issue is now available.
Among Ed’s recent free reviews are …
- I SAW THE LIGHT—Ed McNulty reviews both of the fictionalized biographies of music legends in theaters right now. This Hank Williams story is pretty good, Ed says. (4 out of 5 stars)
- PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA—Still playing in some regional theaters is this fact-based drama about the famous writer’s relationship with a journalist in the 1950s. It’s worth seeking out, writes Ed. (4 stars)
- CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR—From the Marvel movie machine comes this “treat of a film.” (4 stars)
- BORN TO BE BLUE—Also check out this worthwhile movie about jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. (4 stars).
- MIDNIGHT SPECIAL—For something completely different, there’s this taut drama that also gets 4 stars this week.
- BARBER SHOP: THE NEXT CUT—This latest film in the series raises lots of relevant issues. It’s not just another sequel, says Ed McNulty. (5 stars)
- ELVIS and NIXON—The film is as strange and funny as the original historical moment. (4 stars)
- THE JUNGLE BOOK—The latest version of Kipling’s classic is a joy for all ages. Ed McNulty gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
- FROM THE PAST—This week, Ed reminds us of the terrific, provocative Grand Canyon from a quarter of a century ago. Still well worth watching. (5 stars)
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