A PROPHET SPEAKS TO OUR TROUBLED TIMES
Click this cover image to read about Hauerwas.
COVER STORY—This week, prophetic theologian Stanley Hauerwas returns to the pages of our magazine in an interview about a deeply personal book collecting letters he wrote each year on the anniversary of his godson’s baptism. Readers who have followed this Texas-born, tough-talking scholar know that a lifetime as a theologian have not smoothed his rough-hewn edges. One of the provocative points he makes in this new interview with David Crumm is that Christians ought to be angry right now with the state of our country and the world. A Christian teacher promoting anger? Well, read our cover story this week and, please, share this with friends. Once you see what Stanley has done in this book of letters, you’ll want to recommend this book to your small group or class.
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Click the photo to read about techtonic leadership.
BRIDGING CHASMS AMID THE TURBULENCE
TECHTONIC LEADERSHIP—This week, we also welcome back to our magazine Brenda Rosenberg and Samia Bahsoun, who continue to develop their signature process for bringing people together across deep divides. They have worked with men and women divided by culture and faith, with police officers and teenagers from minority communities—and now they are working with students on university campuses facing a host of fault lines. Read their latest report and consider learning more about their work, and their book describing this visionary process.
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Click this photo to read about the quilt project.
A GLOBAL VISION OF HOME
QUILTING WITH ‘THE NAMESAKE’—Also this week, we’ve got inspiring news from the Zaman International program, which specializes in working with at-risk women and children in southeast Michigan and around the world. One of Zaman’s many programs teaches women marketable skills in sewing and fabric arts. Now, the sewing team has produced a signature visual of homes from around the world—in the form of a community quilt—that will be used in a community-wide read of the prize-winning novel, The Namesake.
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Click this photo to read about Ray Pendleton’s journey into Judaism.
YOM HASHOAH—Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on this important annual remembrance, including in her story newsy updates and links to learn more.
ONE MARINE’S JOURNEY TO JUDAISM—As you will read in this week’s GodSigns column by Suzy Farbman, former U.S. Marine and current Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Pendleton followed a remarkable spiritual journey into Judaism. One of the milestones in that journey was a moving experience, one year, during Yom Hashoah services. This is a truly American story, because Pew Research reports that religious switching is on the rise—and a third of us nationwide now practice a religion different than the one in which we were raised.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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Click the image to read about hashtags.
THE FRONT EDGE STORY
HOW DO YOU USE HASHTAGS?—OK, as a regular reader, you probably can answer that question yourself, right? But, this week, marketing expert Susan Stitt looks at techniques and trends in using this popular tool for navigating social media. If you’re a writer—of a blog, a weekly newsletter, a magazine, a book—you need to know the basics of hashtags. Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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FAITH & FILM
Click the image to preview the April 2018 issue of Visual Parables Journal.
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:
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- SUMMER IN THE FOREST—Ed gives 5 out of 5 stars to this inspiring documentary about the life’s work of Jean Vanier and his worldwide L’Arche movement. You’ll have to search for this movie, but Ed urges us not to miss it.
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Click the movie poster to read Ed’s review.
THE DEATH OF STALIN—This week, Ed urges his readers to seek out this darkly comic film about the abuses of power, a movie that normally would hard to find in theaters. Given global tensions at the moment, it’s popping up in more theaters right now. Well worth catching, while it’s still showing, he says.
- FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL—Ed says this “heart-felt romantic film,” based on the real life of actress Gloria Grahame, has an excellent cast of actors who make us care deeply about the fate of these star-crossed lovers. (4 stars).
- READY PLAYER ONE—Ed writes, “Director Steven Spielberg seems to be reverting to his youthful days in his new film that is the equivalent of a cinematic roller coaster ride.” (4 stars)
- A FANTASTIC WOMAN—Ed gives 5 stars to the Best Foreign Language Film selection that features a transgender star in the title role. For its groundbreaking gender themes, he also reaches back to 1999 and recommends Boys Don’t Cry.
- ISLE OF DOGS—5 stars for Wes Anderson’s latest quirky creation! But Ed does warn that it may not be the best choice for younger children.
- PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST—Ed also recommends this new Bible film. (4.5 stars).
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