Notes from the Editor’s Desk

Although it snowed in New York only a few days ago, spring is coming, and in that wonderful season of daffodils and dogwoods we’ll be on the lookout for a bright young person to serve as a Junior Fellow. It’s a position very important for the work of First Things, in fact essential. And it’s an extraordinary opportunity for someone who wants to learn about journalism, writing, and speaking up in the public square. Please look at our ad on page 16 and at firstthings.com (the fine website that should be your homepage). Apply, or encourage a talented young person you know to apply.

As I write, we’re closing the books on 2011, and I want to thank the many of you who supported First Things in 2011. The commitment of all our readers to First Things inspires the staff, and certainly me. We are blessed to have both broad and deep support.

By the time this issue reaches you, we will have produced the first annual report for the Institute on Religion and Public Life, the nonprofit foundation that publishes First Things and firstthings.com as well as running a variety of programs. The report gives an overview of all the things we do to promote the influence of faith in the public square. Please write us and we’ll send you a copy.

I would be remiss not to thank in these pages our most generous supporters over the past year: The John Templeton Foundation, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, The William E. Simon Foundation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Sean M. Fieler, Mr. and Mrs. Frederic H. Clark and the Casillas Foundation, The Hertog/Simon Fund for Policy Analysis, and the Donahue Family Foundation.