COVER STORY: WELCOMING BACK YOUNG ADULTS
- MEET THE RESEARCHER: Journalist Naomi Schaefer Riley crisscrossed the nation looking for congregations that are successfully drawing the young adults who have left organized religion by the millions. She reports her findings in Got Religion? In our interview, you’ll find her major conclusions. We say: Get this book! Discuss it with friends!
- WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Author Benjamin Pratt took camera in hand to photograph an important truth about healthy relationships. In this column, you’ll find that photograph (from Iceland) and you’ll find an invitation from Ben to use that photo yourself.
- WHAT DO ‘THEY’ WANT? Columnist Gayle Campbell has written a series of OurValues columns about the values that motivate her Millennial generation.
- WANT HELP? Many of our ReadTheSpirit books also encourage congregational growth. Check out our Bookstore.
STAR-SPANGLED HOLIDAYS!
- STAR-SPANGLED BICENTENNIAL—Read all about the celebrations and the history.
- CELEBRATE WITH OUR VALUES—Dr. Wayne Baker has declared this Star-Spangled Music Week!
- PART 1—Do alcohol and patriotism mix? The Smithsonian thinks they do.
- PART 2—Want to hear 1,100-plus musicians?
- PART 3—Iconic Images of America: Would you vote for ‘Old Glory’—or a Panda?
- PART 4—Is there a rising terrorist threat this Patriot Day?
- PART 5—What did 2014 look like to writers in 1914?
- ALL THE HOLIDAYS—Visit www.InterfaithHolidays.com for our master list of observances.
- SEPTEMBER THEMES—Stephanie Fenton covers all the month-long themes including Hispanic and Latino heritage, literacy, women’s friendships and yoga, too.
- NATIVITY OF MARY—Christians East and West honor Mary in this ancient festival.
- ETHIOPIAN NEW YEAR—Rastafaris also mark Enkutatash.
- 9/11—Some Americans focus on Patriot Day and others focus on the National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. In either case, we’ve got the story.
ALLIES AT SCHOOL:
‘BULLYING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER’
- NEW THIS WEEK—This week’s featured comic strip in our new Bullying Is No Laughing Matter department is For Better or for Worse. The comic strip comes with a free series of “discussion starters” you can use with kids.
- SEE ALL THE COMICS—The homepage of our Bullying Is No Laughing Matter department is your guide to all of the weekly comics (with discussion starters) and a free, colorful “badge” to show you’re part of this campaign.
- JOIN IN THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN—In an ongoing way, we’re covering the spread of news stories about this campaign. (If you post something about this comics campaign, let us know and we’ll feature your link as well.)
- THANKS BILL! From his home base in Kansas City, Bill’s popular column on faith and values is read nationwide. This week, he writes about the new comic project.
- THANKS SUE! At the Chicago Sun Times, Sue Ontiveros writes “Comics are accessible, kid-friendly, a comfortable spot to discuss a difficult subject.”
- OPENING DOORS AT SCHOOL—The New York Times just reported on the growing use of comic books in schools. Please contact us if you’d like to take a sample copy of our comic book to your school. However, in September, the American Library Association reminds us about some schools slamming doors on certain books. Learn more about this month’s Banned Books Week
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT
- A FREE (AND VERY PRACTICAL) COOKBOOK—“FeedTheSpirit” columnist Bobbie Lewis reports on an inspiring effort by Leanne Brown to create a tasty cookbook using ingredients commonly provided in the SNAP (or “foodstamps”) program. What’s more: Leanne is providing this cookbook free to help improve the quality of life and nutrition in communities everywhere.
- GODSIGNS—”GodSigns” columnist Suzy Farbman knows that “Relationships Are Complicated” in millions of American families. In a special series, she writes about her own relationship with her father whose conversion experience touched off years of … well, complexity. Part 1 and now Part 2.
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS
- ALL THE HEROES—Our Interfaith Peacemakers department now links to more than 100 inspiring profiles of men and women.
- NEW—Learn about H.A. Mukti Ali.
- NEW—Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
- NEW—David Rosen
- MATTHEW FOX—You’ll enjoy or in-depth interview with best-selling author Matthew Fox about the timeless wisdom of Meister Eckhart—and connections with modern Interfaith Peacemakers, as well.
FAITH AND FILM
- VISUAL PARABLES—Noted faith-and-film author Edward McNulty has just released the September 2014 issue of the Visual Parables journal, packed with study guides to kick off spirited discussion in your small group this autumn.
- FORGOTTEN FOUR—Ed McNulty gives this documentary about breaking racial barriers 5 out of 5 stars!
- FRANK—This odd-ball film earns 4 of 5 stars in Ed’s review.
- LIFE AFTER BETH—An off-beat zombie-romance film earns 3.5 stars.
- SIN CITY—This comic-movie hybrid earns 3.5 stars as well, mainly for its visual experimentation.
- THE GALAPAGOS AFFAIR—Looking for a tale of the wages of sin? ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm reviews (and recommends) this new documentary with the subtitle, “Satan Came to Eden.”
- A CAUTIONARY NOTE—“Bird on Fire” columnist Jane Wells writes about not being too quick to judge the choices involved in the recent theft of celebrities’ intimate photographs. The theft? A crime, Jane concludes. But let’s not blame the victims, she warns.
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