What a delightful mid-summer treat!

OUR COVER STORY this week with pastor, author, educator and jazz musician William Carter explores the many ways that jazz breaks down barriers between people—and cultural and spiritual realms. It’s a fascinating conversation in which Carter raises lots of provocative questions—plus we have links to videos and, of course, to jazz music as well. Please, enjoy this cover story and use the social media buttons to share this story with friends.

.

.

---

And in other inspirational news—

Rusty Rosman’s ‘Two Envelopes’:
Helping families, one book—and one question—at a time

WHY DO OUR AUTHORS GO THROUGH ALL THE EFFORT OF PUBLISHING?  Often, the answer is two words: Helping people. That’s certainly the case with Rusty Rosman and her ongoing work with the new book Two Envelopes. In this Front Edge Publishing column, Rusty writes about the many ways—through many different questions—she finds her book helping readers.

.

.

---

Joe Grimm:

From Kamala Harris to Suni Lee, news spotlights shine on Hmong Americans

‘There’s so much to learn! That’s why we’ve published so many books!’ That’s the valuable message of this story by the director of the Michigan State University Bias Busters project Joe Grimm. The MSU project is part of the university’s highly ranked journalism program and, in this week’s column, Grimm looks at the many ways news events are highlighting the need for Americans to learn much more about the minorities living among us. Joe also includes in this story easy links to some of the most timely Bias Busters books, which are “relevant-right-now” and you can begin reading almost immediately in Kindle versions.

.

.

---

Holidays, Festivals & Observances

Lammas, Lughnassadh

Marking the harvest with centuries-old traditions

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS columnist Stephanie Fenton reports, this week, on Lammas and Lughnassadh traditions, which are particularly popular among neo-pagans as well as families with cultural roots in England, Scotland and Ireland.

.

.

National Immunization Awareness Month

ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, each August, the CDC makes a special effort to remind Americans about National Immunization Awareness Month. This gateway into the CDC lists important links for Professionals, Parents and Patients.

Then, on this page within the CDC website, you can read the entire set of recommendations on COVID-19 and Flu shots. Why is this so important? The CDC reports: “In 2023, more than 916,300 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and more than 75,500 people died from COVID-19. During the 2023-2024 flu season, more than 44,900 people are estimated to have died from flu complications.” Finally, this valuable link displays many pre-made graphics that are free to download and use to promote vaccination on social media.

.

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:

• TWISTERS—Ed writes, “Director Lee Isaac Chung’s disaster film is about as thrilling as it can get, far more entertaining than a screen full of wisecracking Marvel superheroes.”
• LONGLEGS—”Director Oz Perkins probes the “madness is in their heart” in an unforgettable way in this film that combines horror with FBI procedural.”
• TOUCH—”Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur’s film is for those who love a star-crossed lover’s story.”
• SING SING—This inspiring film is based on a true story of prisoners producing an annual theatrical production at Sing Sing prison.
• A MUSSOLINI DOUBLE FEATURE—Ed says that viewers with an interest in Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s long and complex reign in Europe and Africa will want to watch two films (now streaming on YouTube and on Amazon): Mussolini’s Daughter and Lion of the Desert, each one running about three hours.
• THE LONG GAME—Ed urges us to see this inspiring true story of a groundbreaking team of young Latino golfers.
• A QUIET PLACE: DAY 1—Ed likes this prequel even though he initially was skeptical about the quality of a third film in this francise.
• DADDIO—”Writer-director Christy Hall’s film, shot almost entirely within the confines of a NYC Yellow Cab, pulls off a seemingly impossible task—keeping us interested entirely by means of a conversation that moves from the casual to the intimate.”
• FRESH—Ed also suggests we look back this week to a 1994 film set in Brooklyn that many of us may have overlooked.
• HORIZON, Chapter 1—“I wish Kevin Costner could redo this as a cable series.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.