Meet the veterans everyone’s talking about!
COVER STORY—The Michigan State University veterans project, launched by students at the MSU School of Journalism, is far bigger than a single new book. We’ve seen proof of that in recent days! Associated Press reporter Jeff Karoub carried the story nationally: “Journalism students aim to dispel myths about veterans.” Karoub’s AP story appeared in top newspapers, magazines and TV networks coast to coast—from The Washington Post to ABC News, Fox News and even Stars and Stripes.
The book is called 100 Questions and Answers about Veterans. But this “book” really is a nationwide multimedia effort packaged in book form—including videos of men and women who have served our country, talking about their lives today. The book honors those we remember for their service on this holiday weekend—and it’s a perfect way to go beyond the holiday by connecting with the current lives of millions of veterans in America today. Today, we are sharing three of the videos included in the book, 100 Questions and Answers about Veterans.
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
DON’T MISS ONE! Tell friends about www.InterfaithHolidays.com
- BUILDING OUR MEMORIALS—Thousands of readers already have found the Memorial Day stories by Stephanie Fenton, especially the earlier true story of the first such holiday in 1865. But, this week, author Benjamin Pratt takes us beyond the traditional observance with his moving column, “Have you established a memorial? A sacred place in your heart?“
- WHIT MONDAY—In some parts of the world, it’s still a holiday after the Christian celebration of Pentecost (aka Whit Sunday).
- BAHA’Is CELEBRATE—The Ascension of Baha’u’llah is an occasion to recall the prophetic life of the faith’s founder and his legacy in reshaping the interfaith world.
OUR VALUES
ANIMAL RIGHTS—We love animals. New Gallup research finds a sizable and growing minority of Americans who believe that “animal rights” should be the same as human rights. Sociologist Dr. Wayne Baker takes a look at this shift in values. This week, you’ll spark spirited discussion among friends by sharing these columns:
- PART 1—Should animals have the same rights as people?
- PART 2—Does Wal-Mart support the Five Freedoms?
- PART 3—What does faith say?
- PART 4—Do you think of your pet as a family member?
- Just catching up with OurValues? Dr. Baker just finished a fascinating series on the sharp decline in the number of Americans who call themselves “Christian.”
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS
THE HEROES—More than 100 inspiring stories at www.InterfaithPeacemakers.com
- TURNING TO EUROPE—International peace activist Daniel Buttry looks toward Europe in May. Dan already has introduced abolitionist Thomas Clarkson, scholar Moses Mendelssohn, courageous Holocaust-era life-saver Irena Sendler; and the prophetic leader of the Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia Václav Havel.
- NEW THIS WEEK—You’ll meet Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International; Solidarity-era firebrand Father Jerzy Popiełuszko; Hildegard Goss-Mayr and Jean Goss of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
FILM, FAITH
AND POPULAR CULTURE
1,200 MOVIES—www.VisualParables.org is a treasure trove of faith-and-film reviews by Edward McNulty.
- RAVING ABOUT ‘TOMORROWLAND’—First, Ed gives the movie 5 out of 5 stars and provides his trademark faith-based style of review.
- ‘TOMORROWLAND’ 2—Author and movie lover Rodney Curtis takes a different perspective—and, in the end, he agrees with Ed: Go see it!!
- WHITE GOD—It’s a terrific Girl-and-her-Dog movie from Hungary. (5 out of 5 stars)
- HOPE BRIDGE—Some are calling this a “Christian” drama. Ed recommends it with 4 out of 5 stars.
FAITH GOES POP—(Calling Star Wars fans …)—The creative mind of www.FaithGoesPop.com columnist Ken Chitwood serves up a mixed bag of religion sightings: Rubgy’s “Honey Badger,” How Jesus Is Saving Prime Time—and Star Wars icons. Yes, that is a Greek Orthodox-style icon depicting Admiral Ackbar as St. Gail Ackbar. Go on! Read the whole story.
STORIES THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES
“STORIES that shape your life” is a core theme at ReadTheSpirit. We’re inviting you to take part!
- CARDINAL concludes—Kurt Kolka’s life is shaped by his comic hero The Cardinal. In BullyingIsNoLaughingMatter, we showed you Part 1 of Kurt’s comic, then Part 2. If you’ve been following this epic adventure, this week we’re sharing The Conclusion. We also offer help for parents and teachers.
- EARLIER STORIES—Benjamin Pratt started this series with Bambi and The Wizard of Oz. Debra Darvick added A Hole Is to Dig. Mitch Horowitz told about Stevie. Sociologist Wayne Baker focused on the power of stories to inspire kids about the natural world—and Suzy Farbman told the story of real-life reading activist Pam Good.
- WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Come on! It’s your turn. Readers already are emailing us at [email protected] so, please: What’s your story?
CAN STORIES REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? You bet! Cardinal-Warthog creator Kurt Kolka recently appeared at a Midwest comic con along with Camille Paddock—the teenager with alopecia who is featured in Kurt’s big comic book Bullying Is No Laughing Matter. When Camille spoke at the event about her Dare To Be Different anti-bullying group, she met one of her first followers: a girl named Grace, who also has alopecia and was struggling with it emotionally until she discovered Camille’s group. Grace told Camille, “Seeing how strong you were and everything that you went through helped me deal with it as well!”
DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD
Good media builds healthy communities …
SUZY FARBMAN—You’ll enjoy Suzy’s newest GodSigns column, “True love begins at a flea market.” It’s a real-life romantic story about a couple who believe that the fine arts can help us to build a better world.
BOB ALPER—The author of Life Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This continues to criss-cross the nation and will perform next in Johnson City, TN, for the Jewish Federation Tri-Cities Annual Campaign on May 29. Then, on May 31, he’ll be in Somerset, NJ, at Temple Beth El. As his fans know, Bob lives in Vermont and, this week, we’re pleased to see this review of his book in the Bennington Banner.
YOU’LL LOVE IT (AND LEARN)! We love this new column brought to us by FeedTheSpirit host Bobbie Lewis. In this guest column, marketing pro Nancy Schwartz shares some savvy lessons from the remarkable life of Aunt Frances—plus a recipe for her braised cabbage and onions. Tips you can use—and tasty food you’ll enjoy if you’re a cabbage lover. Who can ask for more?
THIRD-WAY NEWSLETTER
DR. DAVID GUSHEE—The author of Changing Our Mind will play a key role at the Atlanta Reformation Project Conference June 11-13 with Matthew Vines. The conference is a national gathering of Christians working toward inclusion with LGBT men and women. For more details, including ticket information, click here or on the Reformation image.
‘END THE SUFFERING’—The new video by Ken Wilson and the Third Way Newsletter team—called “End the Suffering“—is reaching viewers across the country. If you care about LGBT inclusion in churches—please watch this video, too, and share it with friends. The www.ThirdWayNewsletter.com is part of the changing Christian landscape that is welcoming diverse men and women.
.