FINDING SPIRITUAL SOLACE IN TROUBLING TIMES

DISCOVER ‘BEACH CALLING’—In a turbulent time with anger and anxiety rising in many corners of the world, our magazine devotes a second week to reflections on the timeless spiritual allure of shorelines. Last week, Marty Davis wrote a column about crowds helping sea turtles—as an example for our best instincts as a community.

This week, we welcome back to our magazine the best-selling author Missy Buchanan, who is famous for her many books about faith and aging. You may have seen her on Good Morning America. Now, Missy is addressing her new book directly to Baby Boomers, offering 20 ways we can step back from the today’s turbulence—and begin to remember the richness of both faith and our better selves.

Please, read our interview with Missy Buchanan. In this column, we compares her new book with Ann Morrow Lindbergh’s classic, Gift from the Sea, a favorite of many of our readers.

Then, take a moment to share this story with friends. This new book by Missy is ideal for individual reflection, a gift for someone you love—or for small-group discussion.

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Got Prejudice?
Become Part of the Solution

WE ALL NEED HELP! In 2019, daily news stories are making it clear that we all are facing growing problems with bigotry. Among the latest is the August 2019 report by The American Academy of Pediatrics, reminding health care professionals nationwide that racism is a “social determinant of health,” meaning that “failure to address racism will continue to undermine health equity for all children, adolescents, emerging adults and their families.”

The root of this crisis is ignorance. One major institution that has risen to this challenge is The Michigan State University School of Journalism through its Bias Busters team that has produced a whole series of helpful books. Their motto: “We answer the questions everyone is asking—but nobody is answering.”

Now—through October—equip your group, congregation or organization with the most up-to-date cultural competence materials available today. The Michigan State University Bias Busters book series features info-packed guides covering individual cultural, ethnic and religious groups. Please, read about how you can order one of these new 11-volume collections—and share this news with friends.

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A Long and Winding Road

AN ARTISTIC RESTING PLACE—This week, Suzy Farbman’s GodSigns column tells the true story of artist and craftsman Bill Staffel, whose long and winding road included turning old railroad spikes into hand-crafted works of art, transforming discarded wood into beautiful boxes and designing a creative home and shop in northern Michigan. Now, Bill’s final resting place is … Well, please, read Suzy’s column to explore the rest of this story.

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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

Krishna’s Birthday

AMERICANS LOVE THIS STYLE—Every year, brave crews of young Indians form human pyramids for Krishna Janmashtami, which honors Lord Krishna’s birth. That same acrobatic style can be seen in the hugely popular performances of Indian dance crew V. Unbeatable on America’s Got Talent. Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has that story—including a video clip of V. Unbeatable that has drawn more than 25 million viewers! You’ll enjoy her colorful column.

Paryushan Parva

FASTING AND FORGIVENESS—For India’s Jains, this is a season of fasting and forgiveness. Stephanie has that story, as well, including an overview of the 10 values at the core of Jain reflections.

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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:

• THE FAREWELL—Writer/director Lulu Wang gives a peek into both Chinese culture and that of the immigrant in her warm comedy that begins and ends in New York City, but which unfolds mainly in a large city in China.
• ROSIE—Ed gives  5 out of 5 stars to director Paddy Breathnach’s and screenwriter Roddy Doyle’s superb film about a family in Dublin Ireland catapulted into homelessness through no fault of their own.
• MARIANNE & LEONARD—If you love Leonard Cohen’s music, like Hallelujah, then you’ll definitely enjoy this documentary about his love and his muse: Marianne Ihlen. (4.5 stars)
• SWORD OF TRUST—Ed gives this quirky, indie satire 4 stars—and it certainly sounds like it has a wealth of strange twists and turns.
• THE LION KING—Ed gives the new live-action remake 5 stars. His review details many of the changes in this version, including the addition of more African American voices in the cast and some terrific new vocals.
• THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE—Denys Arcand, who in 1989 gave us the challenging Jesus of Montreal, returns to that Canadian metropolis in this satirical crime caper. (4.5 stars)
• ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD—Ed writes, “Not since Pulp Fiction have I been so mesmerized by a Quentin Tarantino film. From start to finish this tale of friendship and declining celebrityhood set in the glittering world of Hollywood is a delight to watch.” (4.5 stars)
• PAVAROTTI—Although opera lovers will be the first drawn to this biographical film, anyone who loves music will be entranced. After all, it’s full of soul-stirring singing by Luciano Pavarotti. (4.5 stars)
• ECHO IN THE CANYON—Director/writer/producer Andrew Slater has assembled a galaxy of musicians and uses Grammy award-winning musician Jakob Dylan as his host for this fascinating documentary. (4 stars)

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