Planning to see the movie Oct 3 or 4?

Our tip is: Don’t miss the new book about Teresa.

COVER STORY—As biographer Jon M. Sweeney puts it: Mother Teresa is the world’s first televised saint. That’s an important spiritual truth. We feel we know her because we’ve seen her in action—many, many times over the decades. So, it is fitting that the 25th anniversary of her death is linked to the debut of a major new movie about her life (showing in 600 theaters nationwide on October 3 and 4, 2022)—and two new biographies of the saint as well. Our Cover Story has links to learn about the movie, plus a recommendation of Jon Sweeney’s new book about Teresa that is perfect for all those readers who want to learn about her life—and also may want to spark discussion in small groups in their congregations.

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Holidays & Festivals

‘Yom Tov!‘

Fast of Yom Kippur starts Tuesday

To our Jewish friends:
‘A good Yom Kippur!’ and ‘Have an easy fast.’

YOM KIPPUR often is described as somber—but Rabbi Lenore Bohm makes it clear that this holy day is not intended to dwell on suffering and sadness. On the contrary, she writes in her holiday column, “Regret and remorse may have their place, but they are not the essence of the season. Rather, we strive to look at life with fresh eyes and trust that the new year will grant us opportunity to renew our purpose, hope and belief.”

THEN, our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton explains the basic Yom Kippur traditions followed by millions of Jewish men, women and children around the world.

AND STEPHANIE REMINDS US that the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot is coming soon with its colorful array of outdoor shelters assembled in many families’ back yards.

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And among our Hindu friends, celebrations of Durga unfold

AS STEPHANIE FENTON REPORTS, celebrations of the culmination of a Hindu festival honoring Durga can be found in more than 100 cities across the U.S., this week.

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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

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From Suzy Farbman—

Age is no barrier to Maureen Kaiser’s dream of performing her music

IN HER GOD SIGNS COLUMN THIS WEEK, Suzy Farbman introduces us to Maureen Kaiser, who Suzy as a business colleague years before Maureen reinvented herself as a singer- songwriter. Plus, Suzy shares with us links to Maureen’s music and videos. You’ll want to share this inspiring column with friends!

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From Howard Brown—

Plan ahead for gift giving!

THIS IS A WONDERFUL OFFER FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING! Howard Brown’s new book, Shining Brightly, is taking off like a shot on Amazon, after the worldwide launch last week. His book debuted with a “No. 1 Best Seller in Books about Cancer” last week! And, of course, his book is about the keys to living a resilient life but it’s about much more than cancer. Right now, Howard is offering to personalize copies of the book for readers who order through Amazon or other online bookstores. The way it works is explained in this Front Edge Publishing column by Susan Stitt. It’s simple, but you should act right away before autumn delays in book shipments start to pile up.

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From Carolyn Winfrey Gillette—

AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST BILL TAMMEUS wrote about the wonderfully creative work of contemporary hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette recently. Now, just a couple of weeks after Bill posted his column, Carolyn is releasing a new hymn that’s free for congregations to use right now. She describes it this way: “O God of All Creation is for churches to support relief efforts after the hurricanes. Sojourners, Presbyterian News Service and Presbyterian Outlook have all shared this hymn. Permission is given for free use of this hymn. Please share it with others.” Here’s the link to visit Carolyn’s website and download that hymn.

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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.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• FANNIE LOU HAMER’S AMERICA—Ed McNulty writes, “There have been numerous films on Fannie Lou Hamer, but what makes director Joy Elaine Davenport’s film different is that a major part of it is the civil rights icon telling her own story.”
• THE GOOD HOUSE—“This is that rare Hollywood film centering on the interior life of a grandmother dealing with alcoholism.” The film stars Sigourney Weaver.
• HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL—“Director-writer Adamma Ebo takes aim at a very large target in his satirical film—the ostentatiously wealthy preacher of the prosperity gospel—so he finds plenty to ridicule in his film.”
• TREES OF PEACE—“Director-writer Alanna Brown’s harrowing film centers on four women who hide from the rampaging Hutus during the Rwandan genocide.”
• EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO—”27-year-old attorney Woo Young Woo is indeed extraordinary in that she is Korea’s first lawyer with autism spectrum disorder.”
• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”

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