Martin Schleske is one of the best violin makers in the world. He has studied both the art and the science of instrument making and blends those areas together to create impressive instruments played by top performers. He is also a person of great faith, someone who thinks deeply about his craft but
“A man on earth needs our help.”“Is he sick?”“No, worse, he’s discouraged.”It’s a Wonderful Life, the timeless film of the 1940s, touched the hearts of millions. Narrated by Clarence the angel, it follows the life of “small-town hero” George Bailey. The film speaks about life, love, and despair and
The OdysseyReviewed by Lorilee CrakerPenelope (Anne Hathaway), queen of Ithaca, lives in a dark palace and pines for her lost love, Odysseus, the king who left 20 years ago and never returned. Odysseus and his crew, meanwhile, face one obstacle after another on their way home.There is a surprisingly
In 1929 New York City, at the beginning of the Great Depression, 19-year-old Colette is a “prisoner in her own home” like “a porcelain doll, put on a shelf and left to collect dust.” To make matters worse, she’s haunted nightly by terrifying dreams of icy water, darkness, being suspended above the e
Author David A. Robertson, a member of the Norway House Cree Nation, now residing in Winnipeg, Man., wrote this winsome children’s book as a companion to On the Trapline, written to honor his father and their relationship with each other and the land. As he was concluding work on that book, his fath
God is our father, and Scripture is woven through with masculine imagery to describe him. That is all wonderfully true, orthodox, and indisputable. But in this book, Elizabeth Berget gently leads readers to discover a God who also made mothers in his image and who nourishes, comforts, and protects u
In her debut picture book for children based on the story of a real house and storm in Cape Cod, Mass., in 1978, author Lauren Wolk, renowned for her middle school novels Wolf Hollow, Beyond the Bright Sea, Candle Island, and more, joins forces with illustrator Kristen Adam to introduce kids to a sm
Singer-songwriter Justin Gambino provides listeners with his first collection of worship songs with the EP Garden of the Lord. Known for a more uptempo style, Gambino turns to a mellow sound with this record and its country feel. “The inspiration for this project came from my testimony,” Gambino say
Author Callie Murray’s debut historical fiction novel set in 1939 Georgia is loosely based on true events. These include the repercussions of the 1929 Great Depression, the Brunswick Hotel that fell into disrepair after the Great Depression, the imminent war in Germany, the persecution of Jewish peo
Author Jordan Raynor succinctly and clearly articulates the gospel of salvation for young children and spells out what it means for their entire lives.Raynor's children's picture book is structured in two sections. The first half focuses on people’s sin and the salvation Jesus offers. The second poi
Set in Korea in 1792, this young adult novel melds historical events, romance, cultural critique, and engaging characters in an emotionally charged narrative.In an author’s note, June Hur points out the two decrees that shaped the period in which the book is set. The first was the marriage edict by
Author and longtime chaplain Bill Gaventa is a notable influencer when talking about disabilities because he has spent so much of his working life serving with and among people with disabilities.In this book, Gaventa wants to help people and communities as they come together to worship, learn, and s
For her latest release, a six-song EP called Homecoming, Sandra McCracken prepared by going to Oxford, England, for four months to reflect on the subject of heaven and to have conversations with theologian and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright as he was finishing work on his book, God’s Homecoming.The res
Note: The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This interview by Yonat Shimron was published on Oct. 1, 2026, on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.(RNS) — A 120-year-old United Methodist Church in rural Michigan shutters. A tradit
In Galveston, Texas, 12-year-old Dany is having a tough summer break. Her life seems boring and ordinary compared to the lives of her three siblings who excel at various endeavors. Besides, Dany is lonely and feels forgotten by her best friend Courtney, who moved to another city and immediately made
In this masterfully crafted, and emotionally rich Appalachian novel, author Cindy Sproles, born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, reveals her intimate knowledge of and compassion for the people living in that area and dealing with the social, economic, and spiritual struggles of their communi
The House of Worship film features a “who’s who” of musical artists singing some of the most popular and loved modern worship songs. “What makes House of Worship special is the sense of shared reverence in the room,” writes Patheos “Reel Faith” writer DeWayne Hamby in a release. “These are not stage
In this stunningly beautiful picture book, Guatemalan American author Nydia Armendia-Sanchez and Colombian illustrator Dana SanMar collaborate to celebrate women throughout history who have narrated their ancestors’ and their own stories through textiles, specifically through the creation of huipils
What is the proximate? And how does one make peace with it? Author Steven Garber, senior fellow for the Institute of Marketplace Transformation in Vancouver, B.C., has spent his life as a teacher in many places in the world answering these questions and exploring the intersection between vocation an
Films about dogs instantly tug at my heart strings. The love and loyalty of a pup is an encouragement through life’s uncertainties. Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer, struck a chord in me because at the heart of this thrilling film is deep, sacrificial love.Special Forces veteran James Belm