Cover Story: Welcoming St. Nicholas, the ‘real’ Santa Claus

NICHOLAS STILL INSPIRES

COVER STORYHolidays columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on the Dec. 6 holiday celebrating St. Nicholas—the “real” Santa Claus. This ancient bishop’s generosity—and his courage in helping the vulnerable—is an inspiring example in our world today. Stephanie also highlights links to online resources for Do It Yourself crafts from the St. Nicholas Center.

AND THERE’S MORE! Stephanie Fenton and RTS Editor David Crumm called on St. Nicholas Center creator Carol Myers to help journalists around the world more accurately cover the very popular figure of St. Nicholas. Here is that combined column on the website of the International Association of Religion Journalists. Especially if you are a teacher or communicator, you’ll find that column very helpful.

.

WHAT CAN WE BE THANKFUL FOR?

CARRIE NEWCOMER—As Thanksgiving approaches in 2016, we’re recommending a new book and a new album. This new set was created by Indiana-based Carrie Newcomer, the Quaker musician and writer whose persona is defined by the American heartland.

Please, read our interview with Carrie Newcomer.

.

.

SURVIVAL AND TRIUMPH—Each week, Suzy Farbman’s GodSigns column brings us an inspiring real-life story, often with remarkable convergences. In this season of thankfulness, Suzy tells the story of Ellen Kahn. As a girl in Berlin, Ellen and her Jewish family experienced Kristallnacht first hand and managed to flee Germany. Suzy’s story takes us all the way to contemporary America. Read—and be thankful.

.

.

FAITH FOWLER TRANSFORMING DETROIT—At ReadTheSpirit, we are giving thanks this week for a terrific profile of Detroit’s Faith Fowler by veteran journalist Patricia Montemurri. The magazine story was published in an online Leadership journal from Duke University. To put it simply: We need stories like this now! Thanks to her deep faith and boundless energy, Faith Fowler continues to transform the city one person and one home at a time. (We’re also pleased to recommend Faith’s own memoir as a terrific holiday gift for friends!)

.

MICHAEL TWITTY’S KOSHER SOUL

FEED THE SPIRIT—Amazing but true! Michael Twitty is both a highly respected African-American chef and teaches Hebrew and keeps Kosher in his Jewish home. FeedTheSpirit’s Bobbie Lewis brings us a guest column this week that profiles this remarkable teacher and bridge builderPlus, Michael shares with us his recipe for black-eyed pea hummus. Might be a terrific new offering for your Thanksgiving guests!

.

And the holiday …

THANKSGIVING—Sure, we’ve got the whole holiday story! That’s the specialty of our holidays expert Stephanie Fenton, who tells the whole story … and provides some wonderful links to recipes (including vegetarian options) and Thanksgiving crafts. Enjoy!

 

Check out all the holidays! Tell friends about the simply Web address: www.InterfaithHolidays.com

..

.

..

FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE

ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org.

THANKSGIVING-theme movies:

Among Ed’s new movie reviews are:

.

.

 

.

.

..