HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL …
COVER STORY—Each year as spring sweeps across america, our magazine takes readers on a spiritual pilgrimage to … the ballpark. So, once again, we’ve got some wonderful baseball news. Longtime columnist and author Rodney Curtis has published a new book, Hope’s Diamond, so we invited another of our columnists Benjamin Pratt to review this funny, hope-filled novel. How fun is this new book?
Well, it inspired Ben to add this delightful little memory from his own years playing the game.
Who started this annual tradition in our magazine? Yet another popular columnist Terry Gallagher, back in 2012, realized that there simply wasn’t enough baseball in ReadTheSpirit. Terry wrote this creative, five-part look at “Baseball Values” that continues to draw readers every year. If you haven’t seen Terry’s original series: Please, enjoy!
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HOPE COMES IN MANY FORMS
PEOPLE (AND DOGS) WE LOVE—This week, GodSigns columnist Suzy Farbman tells the story of Destry Ramey—a cancer survivor and author of children’s books. Destry’s love of family (and dogs, as well) have kept her going through one battle with cancer after another. She has just published her latest book about Feather, the dog she’s holding in this photograph.
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DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD
CONGRATULATIONS MSU BIAS BUSTERS!
AND THE RABBI SAYS—Huffington Post Jewish columnist Rabbi Jason Miller wrote a glowing recommendation of Michigan State University’s latest book, 100 Questions and Answers about American Jews. Miller called the new book “an ideal guide for the perplexed,” and he described the questions as common issues that he frequently hears from people wanting to learn more about Judaism.
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CONGRATULATIONS EILEEN FLANAGAN!
HONORS FOR RENEWABLE—Our readers have been following the work of Quaker writer Eileen Flanagan for a number of years. In 2015, we featured this interview with Eileen about her book, Renewable. This spring, honors are arriving for books published in 2015—and Eileen has won a Silver Nautilus Award. Established in 1998, the Nautilus awards honor books that encourage reflection on social, environmental and justice issues. This spring, we’ve heard from lots of readers who are inspired by Diana Butler Bass’s new Grounded. If you love Grounded, then you’ll also be inspired by Renewable.
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
PASSOVER
PASSOVER CONTINUES—Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on the ancient Jewish observance that runs until sundown on April 30.
FEED THE SPIRIT—Our FeedTheSpirit host Bobbie Lewis brings us a guest column by Rabbi Eli Finkelman. For Passover, Eli writes about his family’s tradition of gefilte fish—and he serves up a recipe. It’s a challenge: Can you find 2 pounds of fresh carp?
This year, Bobbie also has published other pre-Passover columns: First, she shared a guest viewpoint from Jewish educator Rebecca Starr. Rebecca’s column comes with a recipe for vegetable kugel. Second, Bobbie brought us a new twist to charoset, the apple-and-nut mixture meant to evoke the mortar used in ancient Egypt.
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EASTER
EASTERN ORTHODOX—Easter is a distant memory for the majority of the world’s Christians, but hundreds of millions of Orthodox Christians still are in the midst of the Lenten season. They will mark Easter on May 1 this year.
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FILM, FAITH & CULTURE
TALKING ABOUT MOVIES? Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website by remembering the simple Web address: www.VisualParables.org And, please consider subscribing to Visual Parables Journal, used by individuals, teachers, group leaders and clergy who want to spark discussion with current films. The April 2016 issue is new this week, packed with complete study guides. Then, among Ed’s recent free movie reviews, you’ll find …
- BARBER SHOP: THE NEXT CUT—This latest film in the series raises lots of relevant issues. It’s not just another sequel, says Ed McNulty. (5 stars)
- MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2—Now, this is pretty much just another sequel. (3 stars)
- THE JUNGLE BOOK—The latest version of Kipling’s classic is a joy for all ages. Ed McNulty gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
- KNIGHT OF CUPS—Terence Mallick’s films are usually controversial because of his visionary storytelling style. That’s true as well of his latest offering—and its well worth seeing, says Ed. (4.5 stars)
- A WAR—This Oscar contender from Denmark serves as a good reminder that it is not just American families that are disrupted by the war in Afghanistan. (5 stars)
- SIN NOMBRE—Ed McNulty writes: “I wish every American would see this film” about Honduran refugees. (5 stars)
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