‘The Fallout from this is Enormous’
THIS WEEK’S ReadTheSpirit Cover Story is as timely as the latest research showing that—for the first time—young women in the Gen Z generation are leading the exodus from churches. That startling news broke recently (and we have a link to it in this cover story). Why is this happening? One of the best books to explain that historic shift is Christa Brown’s Baptistland. Within the “male-dominated realm” of the Southern Baptist Convention, she has been a leading advocate calling for justice after many decades of concealing the sexual abuse of women and children within these conservative Baptist congregations and families.
.
.
From our writers—
Suzy Farbman:
Planning a party to showcase a Detroit gem
GodSigns author Suzy Farbman used the occasion of her 80th birthday to bring friends and family into one of Detroit’s artistic gems: the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit (MMODD). Have you visited? Her column includes a link to find out more about MMODD.
.
.
Jeffrey Munroe:
Is change possible?
THE QUOTE, etched in stone, is from the Columbine Memorial to all those killed and injured in the 1999 attack in Colorado. Author and journalist Jeffrey Munroe shares a column with us, this week, asking us to ponder whether we have—as a nation—learned much in the wake of such traumas. Click here or on the photo to visit Jeff’s Reformed Journal magazine, where he posted this column.
Jeff has become a nationally known voice of encouragement for the millions of Americans who are living with the legacy of trauma—in many forms—because he has explored many different approaches to coping with trauma in his own new book, Telling Stories in the Dark.
.
.
Holidays & Festivals
Sacred Heart of Jesus
THIS CATHOLIC TRADITION originated centuries ago to encourage the faithful to focus on Jesus’s love, writes Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton.
.
Shavuot
THIS ANCIENT JEWISH FESTIVAL honors God’s gift of wisdom in the Torah. In Israel, it’s celebrated for one day; in the rest of the world—for two days.
.
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, 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 film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:
- NOWHERE SPECIAL—Ed writes, “Writer/director Uberto Pasolini gives us one of the most poignant father-son films you are likely to see this year—or any year.”
- BACK TO BLACK—Ed is lukewarm in his review of this Amy Winehouse biopic.
- KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES—”The Planet of the Apes franchise has come a long way since the 1968 film in which human actors had to use head masks and hairy body suits to portray the apes.”
- UNSUNG HERO—Ed recommends this “song-filled” film, which is based on the life of contemporary Christian singer, author and actress Rebecca St. James.
- THE OLD OAK—”Films like Ken Loach’s The Old Oak are why I am still so passionate about well-crafted films, especially those dealing with the down and out, those oppressed by the powerful.“
- THE FALL GUY—”Whatever genre you think director David Leitch’s new film belongs in … it ranks at the top of that genre.”
- DOGMAN—Ed is more ambivalent about Luc Bresson’s weird new film—and even warns about the level of violence.
- THE ASCENT—As he likes to do, Ed reaches back across the decades to recommend this 1977 film from Ukraine.
- SUZUME—”Director/writer Makoto Shinkai and his team of animators provide a mythological interpretation for the hundreds of earthquake tremors Japan suffers each year.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.