Eileen Flanagan interview on ‘Renewable’
COVER STORY—“The renewable energy we need most is people power!” That’s the good news you’ll discover in Quaker writer and activist Eileen Flanagan’s new memoir, Renewable. We’re all renewable, she assures us as she circles the globe and shares the true story of how she rediscovered and reclaimed her own purpose in life. This is a terrific book to pick up this spring and to spark discussion in your small group. Enjoy our interview with Eileen Flanagan!
STORIES
THAT SHAPE
OUR LIVES
“STORIES that shape your life” is a core theme at ReadTheSpirit. We’re inviting you to take part!
- ‘A HOLE IS TO DIG’—Author Debra Darvick tells us how this lovely picture book continues to shape her life.
- ‘BAMBI’ and ‘WIZARD OF OZ’—Author Benjamin Pratt started this series with inspiring columns about the original novel Bambi and The Wizard of Oz.
- OUR VALUES—Sociologist Wayne Baker wrote a whole series about helping our kids to fall in love with nature. One column invites readers to tell us about stories that you love to share with kids. (And, yes, Dr. Baker points out that those “stories” could be movies or TV shows, as well.)
- WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Come on! It’s your turn. Readers already are emailing us at [email protected] so, please: What’s your story?
OUR VALUES
BEHIND THE HEADLINES—We’ve all seen the headlines about the big showdown over same-sex marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court. This week, University of Michigan sociologist Wayne Baker reports on research that looks behind the news at America’s changing values.
- PART 1—How many same-sex couples are there?
- PART 2—What happens when values and public opinion clash?
- PART 3—Just a matter of when?
- PART 4—An obvious compromise solution?
- PART 5—Where do religious groups stand?
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
DON’T MISS ONE—Bookmark (and tell friends about) www.InterfaithHolidays.com
- ARMENIAN GENOCIDE—Families around the world are marking the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, which historians say would later fuel the Shoah. NPR has covered the centennial. The New York Times’ Tim Arango recently reported on “hidden Armenians” in Turkey. And, author Rodney Curtis shares his own story about visiting the Yerevan memorial during the Cold War.
- RIDVAN—Baha’is consider this special holiday period The King of Festivals.
- BELTANE—Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton invites us to rediscover the fires and other colorful festivities associated with the ancient spring festival of Beltane.
- MOTHER’S DAY IS COMING! Plan ahead, now. It’s the biggest day for “dining out” and you’ll want to get your cards in the mail next week. Stephanie’s column is packed with helpful information.
- SPRING CELEBRATIONS—There’s something here for everyone, including National Family Week, National Park Week, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month—and many more.
FILM, FAITH
AND POPULAR CULTURE
1,200 MOVIES—Visit www.VisualParables.org for a treasure trove of faith-and-film reviews by Edward McNulty.
- ‘HOME’—Ed highly recommends this animated film with voices including Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez. This tale of alien invasion is not only fun—it’s a great opportunity to talk about peacemaking with kids, Ed says. And, if you’re looking for more family fun, check out Monkey Kingdom, too.
- ‘THE AGE OF ADALINE’—Ed also recommends this romantic, magical story about a woman who stops aging.
- FILM CAPSULES—Ed provides these free mini-reviews for readers to enjoy, share and even reprint, if you wish.
RUNNING RELIGION—In “The Boston Marathon and Running as Religion,” Ken Chitwood writes: “While to some, running is a form of release and to others it’s simply exercise—read: torture—for a growing minion, running is religion.”
INTERFAITH
PEACEMAKERS
THE HEROES—Discover more than 100 inspiring men and women who risked making peace at www.InterfaithPeacemakers.com
- BOLIVIA—Four courageous women transformed a nation.
- EL SALVADOR—“Comadres” was founded with the support of Archbishop Oscar Romero.
- ARGENTINA—”Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo” risked their lives on behalf of “the disappeared.“
- WATCH THE MOVIE—This month, peacemaker and author Daniel Buttry recommends The Mission, reviewed by faith-and-film writer Edward McNulty.
DOING GOOD
IN THE WORLD
Good media builds healthy communities …
‘BEHIND THE KITCHEN DOOR’—This week, FeedTheSpirit columnist Bobbie Lewis reports on the plight of many restaurant workers—by covering an educational event at the Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) in Michigan. The nonprofit center trains workers for higher-paying jobs in restaurants. And, the ROC chef shares one of his signature vegetarian dishes—delicious sweet potato wontons.
RABBI BOB ALPER—The author of Life Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This, will perform stand-up comedy shows on May 2 at Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale, Arizona, and May 3 at Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson, Arizona.
SUZY FARBMAN—The author of GodSigns publishes a column this week that you’ll want to share with friends. It’s about a woman whose roots remain a mystery—yet Nelle Miller didn’t let that stop her from forging her own generous legacy.
BULLYING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER—A great resource for classes and small groups is www.BullyingIsNoLaughingMatter.com where we display an ever-changing array of comics (with activity guides) that adults can use with kids to talk about the tough challenge of putting a stop to bullying. This week, our Comics section reaches way back to 1945 for the third part in a classic Daredevil story.
THIRD-WAY NEWSLETTER
KEEP IN TOUCH—The www.ThirdWayNewsletter.com is part of the changing Christian landscape that is welcoming diverse men and women. This week, you’ll find new columns about Ken Wilson’s recent talk at City Church in San Francisco and about how one member of the new Blue Ocean movement finds a helpful and healing journey in “Third Way.”
DR. DAVID GUSHEE—The author of Changing Our Mind was a panelist at Q Boston last week. The event drew a huge crowd and was covered by Jonathan Merritt for Religion News Service. Dr. Gushee also continues writing, including this helpful column about “Civility and Tolerance” in the Baptist Global News website.
.
