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KWANZAA’S EXPANDING VISION
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018! If you’re just catching up with our weekly magazine in a quiet moment before New Year’s Day, we invite you to rediscover Kwanzaa. As Holidays expert Stephanie Fenton reports, the founder’s vision for this African-American festival continues to expand. Dr. Maulana Karenga’s message for 2017 is an inspiring global vision of cooperation, rooted in ancient African practices of sharing community resources. Stephanie’s column not only lifts up an excerpt from Karenga’s letter—she also links to the entire text. Given the global origins of humanity in Africa, this vision may be something you’ll want to share with friends in the year ahead.
GRAPES, CAKES—and PLUNGES! Stephanie also describes the global diversity in New Year’s celebrations. Did you catch the recent Chopped broadcast on Food network in which judges highlighted the custom of eating 12 grapes? Need some fresh ideas for your party? Of course, Stephanie has helpful links to culinary ideas in her column as well!
Check out all the holidays at www.InterfaithHolidays.com!
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES
GOD SIGNS—Columnist Suzy Farbman reminds us all of a powerful truth: “Holidays are especially hard for those who’re grieving.” As you reflect on your own compassionate plans for this New Year, read Suzy’s column about how one family has journeyed through the five years since the unexpected death of a daughter. Tragic, yes. But the real message of Suzy’s column is underlined in this family’s appeal to the rest of us: Especially at the holidays, reach out to those around you who may be grieving. That compassionate connection can make a world of difference to someone you know.
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FUEL YOUR NEW YEAR INSPIRATION!
A READING RESOLUTION—Once more, we’re going to share this link to holiday gift-giving recommendations from Susan Stitt, head of Morgan Street Media. She is very familiar with the many authors who have published their books with us over the years—because Susan also serves as marketing director of Front Edge Publishing. She has a list of six recommendations that just might fuel your inspiration as 2018 begins. Check it out!
LOOKING FOR ‘TINY HOMES’? Many of our readers are asking where they can get a copy of one of the hottest books this winter: Tiny Homes in a Big City, the story of a visionary little community rising in what had been a totally abandoned neighborhood in the heart of Detroit. Well, the answer is: Tell friends about the web address www.TinyHomesBigCity.com, which will take you to Cass Community Publishing’s website where you can order a copy. Want to energize your compassionate creativity in 2018? Read this book!
FRIENDSHIP & FAITH—Finally, there’s no better way to warm your heart in the midst of these dark and chilly days of late December than to read the 51 real-life stories in Friendship & Faith. Women from many different religious traditions tell how they overcame a religious or cultural barrier—and discovered friendship on the other side. We’ve often recommended this wonderful new book. This week, we know you’ll enjoy the perspective of writer and editor Karla Huber, who contributed to the book.
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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.
LOVE MOVIES & SPIRITUAL REFLECTION? Buy yourself a merry little Christmas present by subscribing to a year of the Journal, now. And, among the hundreds of complete discussion guides you’ll receive in this treasure trove of Journals—you can also enjoy Ed’s popular guide to Christmas movies, originally published four years ago and still very popular.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- SHAPE OF WATER—Romantics ought to love this genre-combining film directed by the creative Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MO—Ed highly recommends this drama, writing: “It stars two actors at the top of their form, Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson, making this a real treat for film lovers!”
- THE DARKEST HOUR—Director Joe Wright’s film is a good complement to Dunkirk.
- COCO—The Pixar/Disney movie is a great choice for family viewing this season! (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS—Ed writes: “Director Bharat Nalluri’s film never actually claims that Charles Dickens invented Christmas, but it does show how Dickens struggled to create the classic story that transformed the holiday.” (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- LUCKY—Harry Dean Stanton’s final film is a tribute to its star, Ed McNulty writes, giving the movie 5 stars.
- FLORIDA PROJECT—A film about outsiders in America—troubling and well worth viewing, Ed concludes. In fact, this gem was just featured in two Best Movies of 2017 lists in the New York Times! (5 stars)
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