‘BIG BREATH’ & ‘THREE BREATHS AND BEGIN’
MEET THE AUTHOR—This week, David Crumm interviews high school teacher, educational consultant and author William Meyer. In his new books, Meyer describes how he developed a meditation practice for his students, which was embraced by other teachers—and the larger community as well. Many of the long-time readers of our online magazine regularly meditate. Most of us would like to share this helpful practice with others, but we wonder if people would welcome such an offer. Meyer’s approach to expanding meditation opportunities involved lowering many of the potential barriers to acceptance. Please, share this good-news story with friends, this week.
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No, Secularization Isn’t a Global Trend
AHEAD of the TREND—Long-time religion writer Richard Cimino writes this month’s Ahead of the Trend column for the scholarly Association of Religion Data Archives. Drawing on two newly published studies, Cimino reports that religious and secularizing forces actually appear to be in a global stalemate. What many observers perceive as an inevitable move away from religion turns out to be the legacy of changes that took place decades ago.
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Holidays & Festivals
Welcome to Autumn
EQUINOX & MABON—Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story about the change of seasons—and how many pagans continue to mark the occasion as Mabon.
MESKEL—Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian communities will stage processions and light bonfires to recall an ancient story involving the “true cross.” Stephanie Fenton has the story.
MICHAELMAS—Search for an aster blossom, make a blackberry crumble or bake a bannock today: It’s Michaelmas, the Christian feast for St. Michael the Archangel.
NAVARATRI—Hindus begin the nine-night religious festival known as Sharad Navaratri, an ancient festival that emphasizes the motherhood of the divine and femininity.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS—Are you an animal lover looking for a St. Francis-themed blessing, this year? As Stephanie Fenton reports, the actual holiday is on Friday October 4—which means that congregations offering these services may do so as early as September 29 or perhaps later in October. If you are interested, check local listings.
Jewish High Holy Days
ROSH HASHANAH—At sundown on Sunday September 29, this year, the Jewish High Holy Days begin with the New Year 5780. Do you know someone who is Jewish? Get ready to wish him or her L’shanah tovah—“For a good year!”
Care to see all the holidays? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances—just remember the address InterfaithHolidays.com
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GOD SIGNS IN A SISTERS TRIP
SUZY FARBMAN—This week, Suzy writes about taking a “sisters trip” to New York City—and beyond. As Suzy and her sister Anne spotted various “GodSigns,” they even wound up connecting with the moon. Readers of her memoir GodSigns will recall that a full moon appears on her book cover. Enjoy the adventure, this week.
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Online Opportunities for Authors are Endless
FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING—In this week’s FEP column, Marketing Director Susan Stitt shares some of her techniques for helping authors to connect with media professionals who are eager to help spread their messages.
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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.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- ONE CHILD NATION—Ed urges us to see this new documentary, giving it 5 out of 5 stars. The issue was so important and controversial within China that co-directors Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang risked arrest and imprisonment for surreptitiously filming many of their interviews.
DOWNTON ABBEY—Ed gives the long-awaited movie 5 stars and writes, “Julian Fellowes’ beloved characters are back, and thanks to the giant screen, bigger and bolder than ever. Judging by the enthusiastic audience at the advance screening I attended, the film should be a big hit.”- THE GOLDFINCH—Ed writes, “While watching director John Crowley’s thriller, based on Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel of the same name, I thought of a jigsaw puzzle. One has to discover how to place each seemingly unrelated scene together like the jagged pieces of a puzzle.” (4 stars)
- THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON—Filmmakers created this film specifically for Zack Gottsagen, a Down Syndrome person aspiring to be an actor. Hitherto such persons have usually been peripheral to the main story, but in this film, Zak is the central character. This dramatic, suspenseful adventure story earns 4.5 stars.
- WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE? Director Richard Linklater’s film, co-written with long time collaborators Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo Jr., is adapted from Maria Semple’s novel of the same name. (4 stars)
- SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION—Ed reminds us that October is the 25th anniversary of this classic.
- BLINDED BY THE LIGHT—Ed writes, “If your heart is not gladdened and your countenance uplifted by the end of this tuneful musical, you need to see a doctor.” (5 stars)
BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON—Ed writes, “Director/writer Paul Downs Colaizzo’s story about a hefty Manhattanite down on herself will cheer the hearts of all who like to root for the underdog.” (4 out of 5 stars)- BRIAN BANKS—This controversial film has divided commentators because of its treatment of issues surrounding campus diversity and accusations of sexual misconduct. Ed writes that it is a worthwhile “cautionary tale” and will spark spirited discussion among friends. (4.5 stars)
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