Some of my fellow staff members here at First Things have written reflections on what sets First Things apart for them, and why our magazine is worthy of support—see Matthew Schmitz’s, Alexi Sargeant’s, and Carl Trueman’s here.
They’ve covered a lot of ground. I will add this: There is a whole generation of curious young minds—maybe finishing high school, maybe in college, maybe fresh out of college and looking for something solid to hold on to—that can find truth, beauty, and goodness in our pages. I know I was pretty desperate for these transcendentals when I was in college, and the copies of First Things in our chaplaincy center were always comforting to crack open. Sure, not every article will be of interest (yet) to our younger readers, but there is sure to be a thought-provoking article in every issue, a blog post worthy of perusing and reposting on Facebook or Twitter, a poem—something that will catch their eye and remind them that the Truth is worth loving and, when necessary, worth fighting for. In their horizon of seemingly endless (and increasing!) options, young people today have the privilege and the curse of not having to commit to things for a long, long time. But I think they are looking for something to commit to! Well, here it is. And it’s certainly counter-cultural.
We’re working hard here in our editorial office to give our readers—and I’m speaking particularly of our young readers here—something to chew on. And we’ve got a special student rate for subscriptions for which you should email us at ft@firstthings.com! Our February issue offers a diverse mix of topics from how architecture can raise or eyes to God to an “artist” at Vatican II to Martin Mosebach’s most recent novel. We have a lively website with daily blog posts and web exclusives, lots of events (book readings, art exhibits, our new “intellectual retreats”, and more) in our New York City office and all over the country, a First Things store, and a new media page. We’re posting daily on Facebook and Twitter.
So it is with these young people in mind that I ask you consider an end-of-year contribution to our “Support First Things” campaign. As 2015 draws to a close, we are trying to raise $500,000. We still have a ways to go! If you donate specifically to our 25th anniversary fund, your gift will be matched by one of our generous board members. And finally, I would ask that you to consider spreading the word by sharing/re-posting campaign updates on your social media accounts. Let’s get those students reading!
Bianca Czaderna is assistant editor at First Things.
