Wednesday's News & Ideas - 3/2/2022

Christians take up fasting for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday*
The Washington Post: Pope Francis and other Christian leaders around the globe have encouraged believers to fast and pray for Ukrainians on Ash Wednesday, a day when many Christians are reminded of their mortality with a swipe of ashes to their foreheads.
Christianity Today: Ash Wednesday in a time of war

SBC President Ed Litton won’t run again — to focus on racial reconciliation instead
Religion News Service: Litton will become the first SBC president in four decades to not seek reelection after his first one-year term.

What to tell kids about Ukraine: Recommendations from a psychologist
Scientific American: Children are worried by Russia’s attack and need explanations about what is going on, a family counselor says.

Holy wars: How a cathedral of guns and glory symbolizes Putin’s Russia
The Conversation: Conceived by the Russian defense minister after the country’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the cathedral embodies the powerful ideology espoused by President Vladimir Putin, with strong support from the Russian Orthodox Church.

I went to a Ukrainian Catholic Church to pray a rosary for peace. I didn’t expect to find Muslims there in solidarity.*
America Magazine: “She tells us how her family wanted to be here in solidarity with the suffering of people in Ukraine, and she invites everyone to events at their faith community.”

The Spark

The delightful history of fruit stickers, the world’s tiniest canvases for graphic design
Around the world, fruit stickers* have become a collector’s item, replete with jazzy typography, vibrant illustrations and playful branding that goes back over a century, says Fast Company.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers