RADICAL AFFIRMATION COULD SAVE THE WORLD
Click the cover to read our Cover Story about Kelley Nikondeha and ‘Adopted.’
COVER STORY—Need to be inspired this week? Then, meet Kelley Nikondeha, a theologian and an advocate for adoption on a global scale. She’s talking about a radical, life-changing vision of adoption. She argues: Through God’s adoption of us, and our adoption of others, we join in building what Dr. Martin Luther King called “the beloved community” and Kelley likes to describe from Isaiah as the new City of God. Here is just one passage from our interview:
“We envision, and we work toward, a city that thinks differently about how to include people, a city that cares for the health of all the people, an economy that is calibrated to make every family strong. That’s the vision that inspires me as a person of faith and certainly it guides our aspirations as development partners with the people in Burundi. Those are visions to work toward every day. Each morning, I ask myself: How are we moving one step closer to that vision? How can we help to construct this new community based on God’s justice?”
Don’t we need to hear this voice now? If so, please read this interview with Kelley about her new book, Adopted, and about her work with her husband Claude in building a literal community in Burundi. Please, share this story with friends. Consider ordering her book and discussing it in your community.
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Click the photo to read Suzy’s column.
WHEN OUR FAMILIES LEAVE US PUZZLED
GodSigns—In this week’s column, Suzy Farbman writes about a generational problem that can arise when a beloved parent dies: Who’s named in the will? And whose name is missing? Suzy’s story has a happy ending—and a final word of advice for readers. She begins her story: “Death plays funny tricks on us. Our responses aren’t always rational.” Enjoy. (And thanks to all of our readers who share Suzy’s columns on Facebook each week!)
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Click the photo to read the column.
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
VASANT PANCHAMI—Literally the fifth day of spring, Vasant Panchami honors Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music, art, culture, learning and knowledge. On this holiday, the spring cycle will begin that ends with Holi, the massive spring festival that is now celebrated internationally. Stephanie Fenton’s column also explains how Sikhs mark this seasonal milestone. Ever wonder why this goddess sometimes is shown with four hands? It’s a reminder of the many aspects of learning. And, you can learn more right now by reading this column.
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Click the photo to read the column.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE—On January 27, 1945, Soviet forces liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, a concentration and death camp in Poland that had claimed more than a million lives. As part of the global commitment to “never forget,” this date is observed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day by United Nations member states. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial in Washington DC is planning a special ceremony, which will be streamed online on January 26. Stephanie’s column has a link to that event. According to the Memorial’s website, it remains open this week, despite the government shutdown. Read Stephanie’s story about this observance and share the story with friends, this week..
Click the image to see the entire calendar.
EXPLORE OUR CALENDAR—Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton recently published the entire 2018 array of festivals and observances. If you spot something missing in her calendar, please alert us! Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to reach out to friends, neighbors and co-workers from other traditions. Simply remember: www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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Click the image to visit the Visual Parables Journal section of our website.
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. In the January 2018 issue, Ed provides discussion guides on the new Star Wars film, The Darkest Hour, The Shape of Water, Roman J. Israel, Esq.—and many more.
Click the image to read Ed’s review of ’12 Strong.’
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- 12 STRONG—It’s an almost too-good-to-be-true adventure story, based on Doug Stanton’s non-fiction book Horse Soldiers, about the CIA paramilitary officers and U.S. Special Forces sent to Afghanistan immediately after the September 11 attacks. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THE DISASTER ARTIST—James Franco already is receiving honors in this awards season for this bizarre-but-true story of how one of the world’s worst movies was made. (4 stars)
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Click the image to read Ed’s review of ‘The Post.’
THE POST—Director Steven Spielberg has gifted us with thrillers in many genres, but none are as timely as this new political thriller. (5 stars)
- PADDINGTON 2—In this sequel to the original movie, the lovable bear is fascinated by an amazing pop-up book and lots of fun unfolds, as a result. (4.5 stars)
- MUDBOUND—Ed writes, “This powerful Netflix drama shows why Martin Luther King, Jr. was so necessary for our nation—and why we all, whites and blacks, should join together in celebrating his day.” (5 stars)
- FIVE CAME BACK—For those interested in film history and World War Two, Netflix has the perfect documentary, a rare one in that some critics have reversed their usual criticism and said they wished it were longer. (5 stars)
- ROMAN J. ISRAEL—Ed writes, “In writer/director Dan Gilroy’s film Denzel Washington steps out of his comfort zone to play a socially awkward lawyer very different from the smooth, confident characters he has often played.” The result is 5 out of 5 stars
- SHAPE OF WATER—Romantics ought to love this genre-combining film directed by the creative Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (5 stars)
- THE DARKEST HOUR—Director Joe Wright’s film is a good complement to Dunkirk. (4 stars)
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