How will you live, when you’re suddenly alone in your home?
Two experts on the end of life meet over Missy’s new memoir, called ‘Feeling Your Way Through Grief’
THIS WEEK’S COVER STORY IS LIKELY TO SURPRISE YOU—because it’s about a practically minded new resource about finding spiritual resilience after the death of a loved one. Yes, we know! That’s a somber idea. But, especially if you’re married, this is a truth we all will encounter someday. In our Cover Story, author Rusty Rosman, an expert on end-of-life decisions, recommends this honest and insightful new memoir by Missy Buchanan, an author who also is well-known for writing about the spiritual challenges of aging. Rusty explains why it’s wise for us to discover and read Missy’s newest memoir, today.
And here’s another reason to get a copy of Missy’s book: It’s terrific for sparking small-group discussions. When you’ve read Rusty’s Cover Story, consider sharing a link with friends on social media or via email. You may discover there’s immediate interest in discussing these issues in your congregation or another local community group.
.
.
Our Writers Wrestle with the World to Come
Our ReadTheSpirit authors are drawn toward our community of other writers and readers especially because we celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity. So, most of our writers find themselves publicly wrestling with the new shape of our world that is emerging since the American presidential election.
Our role as an online magazine and publishing house is to highlight our writers’ voices—so we have collected some of the columns in which these thoughtful professionals are expressing their concerns and their hopes.
Dr. David Gushee, author of Changing Our Mind, wrote in his online column:
Jeffrey Munroe, editor of The Reformed Journal and the book, Telling Stories in the Dark, is publishing an ongoing series of columns in the pages of his online Journal, including one column that he wrote himself:
- Jeff Munroe: “What Just Happened?“
- Aemilia Trip: “The Exhausting Business of Anger“
- Allison Vander Broek: “Practicing Self-Care Post-Election“
- Kathryn Schoon-Tanis: “I’m Not OK“.
Bill Tammeus, veteran journalist and author of Love, Loss and Endurance (which includes a section on “Unplugging Extremism”), has published two columns:
The National Catholic Reporter, the subject of the new book Beacon of Justice, Community and Hope, is posting an ongoing series of columns:
- The NCR Editorial Staff: “Hope in a Time of Darkness“
- NCR Staff: “Catholic reaction to Trump’s 2024 election win falls along ideological lines“
- Michael Sean Winters: “Can We Survive Another Trump Term?“
- Alessandra Harris: “As a Black Catholic, this election devastated me—but didn’t surprise me“
- Heidi Schlumpf: “Abortion-rights amendments fail in states where Catholic groups funded opposition”
Jonathan Grimm, author of the upcoming book The Future Poor and the creator of a popular news service “The Grimm News,” wrote:
.
.
And now, for something completely different
Where is Rodney Curtis This Time?
OUR INTREPID AUTHOR-PHOTOGRAPHER RODNEY CURTIS brings us another fabulously illustrated travelogue to—
.
.
.
Holidays & Festivals
Veterans Day
Have you noticed green light bulbs?
MSU SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM’S JOE GRIMM challenges us to look for green light bulbs this week as more Americans adopt this popular sign of solidarity with our millions of U.S. veterans.
.
.
More than turkey:
Top 10 Thanksgiving Events
STEPHANIE FENTON HAS THIS PREVIEW of the Top 10 events and observances that now are clustered around American Thanksgiving Day.
..
WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com
.
Faith & Film
Ed McNulty’s Favorite Thanksgiving Films
ED McNULTY, for decades, published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film.
Here are four Thanksgiving films Ed recommended for November viewing:
- AVALON (1990)—In director Barry Levinson’s beloved Baltimore, a large immigrant family gathers annually for Thanksgiving with the grandfather telling stories—until many changes in culture and the family itself begin to loosen those ties.
- PIECES OF APRIL (2003)—Writer-director Peter Hedges serves up a delightful family story of a daughter, played by Katie Holmes, who tries to mend fences with her family by pulling together a Thanksgiving dinner in her tiny apartment.
- WHAT’S COOKING (2000)—Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha presides over a multi-cultural banquet of a film, set in Los Angeles just before and during Thanksgiving.
- HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1995)—Directed by Jodie Foster, this romantic comedy shines largely because of the stellar cast, starting with Holly Hunter (as a Mom who has terrible luck just before Thanksgiving), supported by Robert Downey Jr., Dylan McDermott, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning and Claire Danes.
.
Remembering Our Friend’s Prophetic Voice
ED McNULTY (1936-1924) was nationally known as a pioneer in film criticism with his prophetic style of “Faith and Film” reviews. To read more about his life—we know you will enjoy this obituary and remembrance of his remarkable life.
Much like Roger Ebert’s wife Chaz and their friends have continued to maintain his online database of film reviews—ReadTheSpirit.com magazine has decided to maintain Ed’s substantial body of work, including these 100s of his faith-and film reviews. In today’s world of streaming, viewers may choose to enjoy these films anytime. In addition, we will continue to highlight faith-and-film themes that Ed enjoyed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.