A BOOK WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES
HELP FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES—For many years now, journalists have been covering the news of abuse survivors stepping forward with stories of trauma—and secrecy—in the heart of religious communities nationwide. Now, in the #MeToo era, survivors feel even more encouragement to honestly account for the lingering effects of such abuse. Congregations nationwide need help in encouraging families to talk.
That’s why psychologist and pastoral counselor Lucille Sider’s new Light Shines in the Darkness is such a landmark for readers. Lucille is a survivor herself and honestly tells what happened throughout her life as she suffered, then as she sought spiritual practices to regain her stability and even as she helped to pursue the legal process against the abuser within her extended family. This is an important, compassionate book written to help other survivors and their families. Lucille encourages survivors to talk about their own experiences and also offers wise advice as a professional. Please, read our cover story this week; share it with friends; and consider organizing a discussion group in your community.
.
.
WEST POINT CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
FEATURING ‘THE BLACK KNIGHT’—The U.S. Military Academy traces its roots back to 1801, but the West Point Association of Graduates—its influential alumni organization—was organized in 1869 so this new year is the group’s sesquicentennial. Special events are planned all year long to celebrate the Long Gray Line. That starts with the new Winter 2019 issue of West Point magazine. If you click on that link, you can “flip through” the pages of that special issue—but we urge you to jump right to page 54, where the West Point Authors Bookshelf features Clifford Worthy’s new memoir, The Black Knight: An African-American Family’s Journey from West Point-A Life of Duty, Honor and Country. You also can learn much more about that new book on Amazon.
.
.
PICTURE THIS … A LIFE IN PHOTOGRAPHY
RODNEY CURTIS shares with us a story about the lives of photographers in the dramatically changing world of American media. As many of our readers know, Rodney volunteers each year with the remarkable Mountain Workshops, one of the nation’s most prestigious programs for visual storytellers.
.
.
The Powerful Reach of eBooks
A QUARTER OF ALL AMERICANS read an eBook last year. In our Front Edge Publishing column this week, Director of Production Dmitri Barvinok writes about why eBooks remain a vital part of book distribution nationwide. In this column, Dmitri shares the latest trends in eBook sales and looks at the unique power and reach of several of the major eBook platforms, including Kindle and Kobo. Are you among those millions of eBook readers? You’ll find this a fascinating overview of how publishers are trying to reach out to you.
Want to know more about publishing trends in 2019? Visit our Front Edge Publishing Blog, scroll to the bottom of that page, and sign up for our free weekly email newsletters.
.
.
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
WHAT’S WITH THIS WEATHER?! So, what will the Groundhogs say? Yes, that’s right—Groundhogs plural. Stephanie Fenton’s column points out that Punxsutawney Phil now has some furry competition: Buffalo Bert, a groundhog in Buffalo, New York! Of course, she also covers other auspicious observances on February 2—Candlemas and Imbolc. Do you know the origins of that term Imbolc? Well, you’ll find it in Stephanie’s column.
DO YOU NEED AN INSPIRING, HEROIC STORY? Well, here’s a classic, thanks to Stephanie Fenton. Coming up February 3, it’s the annual Four Chaplains Sunday. These courageous men of faith have been honored since their self-sacrifice inspired Americans during a tragedy at sea in 1943.
For quick reference, you can easily find Stephanie’s master calendar by going to—www.InterfaithHolidays.com
.
.
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.
Click this image to read Ed’s column on the PC-USA website.
Congratulations Ed!
This month, Ed McNulty has touched off quite a buzz across the Internet with his Top 10 Films for Believers posted on the official Presbyterian Church (USA) website. In particular, many people are discussing Ed’s strong recommendation of the movie Boy Erased, which confronts evangelical gay-conversion-therapy programs. Staunch Fundamentalists continue to defend that practice, which is now legally banned in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Because the scientific and medical communities both oppose such “therapy,” diversity-rights advocates continue to push for a further expansion of these bans. It’s such a hot topic that Gay Times magazine even covered Ed’s recommendation of the movie.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
A DOG’S WAY HOME—Yes, you’ll be misty-eyed as you leave the theater! It’s a dog movie guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. Ed gives it 4 out of 5 stars.- RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET—Ed writes, “Like the first film about Ralph, this has lots of laugh-out-loud moments, the best of which involves eleven Disney princesses, going back to Snow White.” (4 stars)
- THE UPSIDE—At the same time Green Book is stacking up praise, here’s another movie about black and white men learning to appreciate each other in an unlikely arrangement. Co-stars Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston. (4 stars)
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK—Ed gives this movie 5 stars and writes, “Based on James Baldwin’s acclaimed 1974 novel of the same name, Barry Jenkins’ film is a paean to love set in a society permeated by ugly prejudice and injustice.”- ROMA—Ed also gives 5 stars to this widely praised film set in Mexico. He writes, “This is one of those great films that will leave viewers with a great many things to think about. … And thanks to Netflix, even those lacking access to an arthouse theater can gather and watch it at home” or with friends.
- BUMBLEBEE—It’s the best Transformer movie ever made! That’s Ed’s verdict, giving this popular family film 5 stars.
- ON THE BASIS OF SEX—Ed gives this new biopic 5 out of 5 stars and urges readers to go see this story of Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s early life.
- AT ETERNITY’S GATE—This film “provides us with a wonderful exploration of art and the world—as seen through the eyes of a sensitive genius who hugely influenced us all to see the world as full of the beauty and the holiness of the divine.” (5 stars)
- WELCOME TO MARWEN—Steve Carell co-stars in the previous film, Beautiful Boy, as well as this unusual film—based on a true story—about an artist who suffers a severe trauma and winds up retreating into a world of “make believe” figures. (4.5 stars)
- BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY—Ed gives the new biopic about Freddie Mercury and Queen 4 stars.
- THE MULE—Yet another true story is brought to the big screen starring Clint Eastwood as an elderly man who gets involved with a drug cartel. (4 stars)
- BACKS AGAINST THE WALL—Start watching your upcoming PBS listings in January for this wonderful documentary about Howard Thurman.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
