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January 12, 2022

Volume 139, Issue #1
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Features

Interviews

Alexandr Tsypkov’s sacred graffiti

“We began to paint frescoes on the ruins of abandoned churches. We did not ask anyone’s permission.”

interview by Jason Byassee, translation by Amy Frykholm

A worship practice Zoom can’t replicate

Silence, in the Christian tradition, is a shared discipline as much as an individual one.

by Chris Palmer

How some churches are working to alleviate period poverty

Menstruation supplies are expensive—and stigmatized. So many people just go without.

by Dawn Araujo-Hawkins

Unorthodox and the captivity narrative tradition to which it belongs

To find an authentic life, do you have to lose your religion?

by Amy Frykholm

First Person

The religious door-knockers are back

These days I’m receiving them with a kinder heart.

by Donovan McAbee

Critical Essay

The book of Exodus includes a story about reparations for slavery

White Americans aren’t the Israelites; we’re the Egyptians. Maybe we should follow their lead.

by Matthew Schlimm

Books

John Pavlovitz’s bottom line: Faith should be a life of love

The popular blogger speaks to the pain of Christians who are disappointed with the failures of the church.

by Martin Thielen

A manifesto for middle age

Kaya Oakes seeks the wisdom of women who are young, old, crazy, barren, butch, femme, angry, other, and alone

by Elizabeth Felicetti

Saumya Roy lets Mumbai’s garbage pickers speak for themselves

Castaway Mountain gives voice to families who have been impoverished by the whims of the powerful.

by Sandhya Rani Jha

The historical roots of interfaith dialogue

Tal Howard offers a carefully researched history, from the Mughal Empire to Nostra aetate and beyond.

by Emily Soloff

Departments

Marcus Rashford is keeping Christianity in the British limelight

To find religious activity among the nation’s young, look to Afro-Caribbean athletes.

by Philip Jenkins

Faith Matters

Giving and receiving care are what we’re made for

Arthur Kleinman’s memoir gets at the heart of what it means to be human.

by Stephanie Paulsell

On Art

Let’s rest our souls, by Mandy Ford

...

art selection and comment by Lil Copan

First Words

St. Dymphna and her legacy of care

How the patron saint of mental illness has shown up in my brother’s life

by Peter W. Marty

From the Editors

The forced migration of Native Americans pushed them to inferior land

A recent study illuminates the economic cost of land theft. What might reparations look like?

News

Americans give aid, hope to tornado victims

Some removed broken tree limbs from the ground. Others prepared hot meals and shelters for those who have nowhere to turn. And many collected cash, toothpaste, soap, and other items for the many who need them....

by Haleluya Hadero

In new book, Mark Meadows confirms Trump Bible photo op was Ivanka’s idea

A new book by Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows offers a detailed account of the former president’s infamous Bible photo op at St....

by Jack Jenkins

Church agency: Captive missionaries in Haiti made daring escape

Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom in December by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work...

by Peter Smith

Historic Brentwood Benson Music announces sudden closing

The owner of the world’s largest Christian music publishing catalog has closed its business, citing the effects of COVID-19....

by Mark Wingfield

Rastafarians seek benefits of cannabis legalization

Mosiyah Tafari banged on drums and chanted psalms with other Rastafarians in a ballroom where the smoke of frankincense mixed with the fragrant smell of cannabis—a substance his faith deems sacred....

by Luis Andres Henao and Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu

People

Influential feminst writer bell hooks dies at 69

Gloria Jean Watson, known by her pen name, bell hooks, died on December 15, 2021, at her home in Berea, Kentucky, where she was a resident professor of distinction at Berea College. She was 69....
People

Ammie Davis to lead Turner Theological Seminary

Ammie L. Davis has been named presi­dent and dean of Turner Theological Seminary. She will be the first woman to head the African Methodist Episcopal institution in Atlanta....

by Dawn Araujo-Hawkins

People

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier named head of Association for Hispanic Theological Education

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier will be the next director of the Association for His­panic Theological Education, an orga­nization dedicated to promoting and improving theological education for Hispanic individuals and communities....

by Dawn Araujo-Hawkins

People

New Zealand massacre survivor receives top award for civilian bravery

Abdul Aziz was among ten people to receive New Zealand’s highest honor for civilian bravery on December 16, 2021. Aziz is one of two Muslim worshipers who at different times charged toward a gunman to try to stop his massacre....

by Nick Perry

Lectionary

January 30, Epiphany 4C (1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30)

If Jesus is with the other guy, how can he be with us?

by Katie Hines-Shah

January 23, Epiphany 3 (Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21)

The word of God is living and active; it meets us where we are.

by Katie Hines-Shah

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