EVANGELICAL PROPHET OF LGBT INCLUSION
SAY WHAT!?!
Other “Evangelicals” may decline to call the Rev. Ken Wilson a proper member of their flock, these days. But, he has always been—and continues to be—a true follower of Jesus with a deep evangelical view of scripture and ministry. This week, Ken is publishing the 2nd Edition of his hugely influential book, A Letter to My Congregation. In this new and expanded version of his book, he further clarifies his call for full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians—and he introduces his role in a new religious movement called: Blue Ocean. If you care about inclusion—you’ll want to read this story.
ROMAN CATHOLIC HIP HOP SEMINARIAN
SAY WHAT!?!
No kidding! If all goes well with his process of discernment at a Florida seminary, Alvaro Vega will become a priest—with a unique ministry: hip-hop hymns. Well, Vega doesn’t officially call them hymns when he loads them up on YouTube and other popular music platforms. But, for all practical purposes, he writes and performs inspiring and spiritually evocative songs that invite you to sing along after just a single hearing. Among his most popular tunes so far? Smile! God loves ya my child! Now, Vega is teaming up with author Chris Stepien for a special hip hop number about the boyhood of Jesus.
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MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
VERNORS at 150!
FEED THE SPIRIT—Columnist Bobbie Lewis is based in Michigan, so she’s perfectly poised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of that distinctively oak-aged ginger ale known as Vernors. Well, she explains, it’s at least the 150th birthday according to company lore (which includes the bearded gnome Woody). As always, Bobbie also serves up a delicious recipe—in this case Vernors chicken, perfect for a summer picnic!
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WINNING IN GOLF—AND CANCER
GOD SIGNS—You can’t read a Suzy Farbman column and not feel a little better by the end of her story. And, this week, as spring brings millions of Americans out onto the golf course—she has a real-life story about an unexpected win in a golf tournament … but, more importantly, a win against cancer.
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
MEMORIAL DAY—Do you know the history of Memorial Day in the U.S.? As our column by Stephanie Fenton points out, the official history keeps evolving with competing claims. We also remind readers not to miss the May 29 national concert; we’ve got a link to the concert website and details of the stars appearing this year.
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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
Among Ed’s recent free reviews are …
- MONEY MONSTER—This thriller about media and money and American values is exciting but it doesn’t have the bite of other recent movies about those left behind by our rollercoaster economy. Ed gives the movie 4 out of 5 stars.
- MILES AHEAD—Ed also gives this movie bio of jazz great Miles Davis 4 stars.
- EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!—Thought-provoking director Richard Linklater is back with another tale out of his native Texas. Ed gives it 3.5 stars.
- THE CONGRESSMAN—Love and miss The West Wing? If so, you may enjoy this pretty-good movie starring Treat Williams. (3.5 stars)
- FRANCOFONIA—After the amazing Russian Ark, fans of director Alexandr Sokurov watch for his newest films and seek them out. In Francofonia he spins a tale within another museum—and, if you can’t find the film in theaters, it is coming soon to DVD and Blu-ray. (4.5 out of 5 stars).
- PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA—This fact-based drama about the famous writer’s relationship with a journalist in the 1950s also is worth seeking out. (4 stars)
- ALLEGIANT—This third entry in the Divergent series may be popular with fans, but it’s only worth 3 stars, says Ed.
- SING STREET—Remember Once? Well, John Carney is back with another eccentric tale of Irish music. (4 stars).
- BORN TO BE BLUE—Check out this worthwhile movie about jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. (4 stars).
- ELVIS and NIXON—The film is as strange and funny as the original historical moment. (4 stars)
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