In the aftermath of Monday’s International Roma Day, which commemorates Europe’s largest ethnic minority and Romani culture, nearly 50 participants joined a Zoom webinar Thursday afternoon to learn more about the Roma community, including facing challenges such as widespread discrimination in housing, education, employment, and health outcomes —particularly for its children.
The way Christmas is celebrated in Eastern Europe is different than how it’s done in the U.S., but the spirit of giving and helping others is very much the same.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been committed to interconnectional ministry in God’s mission at the local, national and global levels since 1837. Since that time, more than 8,000 mission co-workers have shared the good news of Jesus Christ with millions of people worldwide.
Meet some of our mission co-workers around the world.
Below are the 10 films worthy of being called the year’s “Top 10.” Because the list of readers of my on-line journal “Visual Parables” consists mostly of believers, my criteria are different from those of secular critics whose lists you might have already read.
Artistic excellence is important, but the films on this list do more than entertain us. Some of their makers seek to challenge viewers to uphold values of love and support (think “Lars and the Real Girl”), and some warn us of the dangers of an inhumane set of values (this year’s “The Hate U Give”). A few explore and expand our spirituality, occasionally enhancing our understanding or appreciation of God (“Come Sunday”).
As with my longer reviews in “Visual Parables,” I’ve included one or more relevant Scripture passages in many of the mini-reviews to foster dialogue between film and faith. The titles include a hyperlink so that you can go to the longer review of the film at readthespirit.com/visual-parables for more details.
Amid the growing refugee crisis, the Presbyterian Mission Agency is working with its partners to draw attention to discrimination against the Roma and to advocate for their human rights.
April 8 is International Romani Day, celebrating the Romani (Roma) culture, history and people and raising awareness of the issues they face. The Roma are the largest minority group in Europe and are commonly known in the English-speaking world as “Gypsies,” a perjorative term. Like “Native American,” “Roma” is an umbrella term for many subgroups.
