MIRG

Memphis Inter-Religious Group

http://MemphisIRG.org

LINKS:  Home Page    About Us    Events page   Book List   Some History

A Listing of events of probable interest.                (page edited 5/19/2012 )  

In some cases these are specifically interfaith events, others are events of one religion that are not primarily religious services and where you might want to go to see a facility, learn of the culture, or meet people from a different group.  Some are civic events likely to draw representation from multiple religious or ethnic groups.  In posting things, we have not always explored all the shades of opinion, so we may not necessarily agree with the views of all the organizers.  We do hope to find things where many of our readers will be either sympathetic or interested in polite discussion of the issues.

Note:  If you have a bulletin board or other place where you can post some of these events, we'd appreciate it.  We'll like it even more if you tell us where you are posting it and give feedback for what you'd like on the poster.  If you'd like a one-page printable pdf of events, or some other arrangement, contact me, e-mail admin@memphisirg.org.  I try to get things onto this page as soon as I can; check it pretty regularly. 
I always appreciate your help in letting me know what your group is doing where members of other groups would be welcome.
 
A few web pointers have recently (early September) moved to the "Book List" page and the home page. Continuing events (e.g. weekly) are now at the bottom of the list.


Do be aware of the many Memphis in May events, the featured country this year is the Philippines.  http://www.memphisinmay.org/
 
The Temple Israel Museum has a nice phoito exhibit, "Bagels and Grits" about early Jewish Communities in the Deep South. It also has on display some wonderful paintings by a noted Hungarian artist.

May 16, Wednesday, 6:45 PM, 92nd St Y Lecture Series by video at Temple Israel. Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, discussing the story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.   Link to map and directions at http://timemphis.org/

May 17, Thursday, 6:30 PM. Diversity Memphis, Humanitarian Awards Dinner (fund-raiser) Ridgeway Country Club.  Honorees this year are  Bob Bernstein, Dr. Manoj Jain, Modeane Thompson, David Waters and David Wedaman. Expensive ($150), but a group worth supporting if you can afford it.    
Details at http://diversitymemphis.org/   The registration form is at  http://diversitymemphis.org/award/had12_ad_sheet.pdf
Location  http://www.ridgewaycountryclub.com/view/location

May 19,  Saturday. Get Out The Vote, Meeting at the Great Hall, Germantown, 3-6 PM  Muslim sponsorship. Why getting out the vote is important and how to do it.  It is exciting to see a group with many immigrants getting active in this way.
Sponsored link  http://acotn.org     To find it I recommend going to http://maps.google.com and searching for Great Hall Germantown TN; you have to sort of drive around behind the Germantown Performing Arts Center.

May 19,  Saturday. 7:30 PM The History of Muslims in America:  A Call to Social and Political Action .   Memphis Islamic Center,   10225 Humphrey Rd, Cordova, TN 38018       (901) 759-9906

May 20.  Indian  Cultural Center and Temple (Hindu Temple)  Ceremonies at 8:30 AM and 10 AM, Pushpagayam, worship of Lord Venkataswara with a variety of flowers. Believed to help childless couples have children as well as with wealth, happiness, etc. All welcome, bring flowers or purchase on site.
I often hear of these things too late for my approximately-weekly e-mail; get on their mailing list at
http://icctmemphis.org  if you want to know of activities there.
  12005 HIGHWAY 64, EADS, about half an hour from midtown, Click for Directions

May 20, Sunday, 5 PM  Interfaith Discussion on Health Issues. Masjid As Salam, 1065 Stratford. I'm very impressed by the breadth of support this has obtained. "We will start the program with a 10 minute talk on a medical topic, followed by 10 minute religious reflections on the same subject, and then open the floor for general discussion and Q&A. We will invite the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu perspective on health issues. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be served.    
      Obesity has become a pandemic with United States leading in the highest incidence and Memphis rated as the "Fattest" city. It  has even affected the children and Diabetes has become very common. Unless we do something about it, the future looks grim. We will discuss what we can do as an inter faith group.
       It will help us in planning if we can have a head count. Therefore RSVP will be greatly appreciated."
(e-mail admin@memphisirg.org and I'll put you in touch with the organizer.)  

May 24,Thursday  Justice Forum Luncheon, Bridges, 477 N. Fifth St.  12 - 1:30 PM

Dr. Susan Gillson, Director of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliati

will speak on Racial Justice and steps we can take to advance relationships among races for the common good of humanity.
 The cost to attend is $10.00 and includes lunch- notify
us if you have special dietary requests.  Please RSVP by
May 21 at www.bridgesusa.org/justiceforum or by phone
at (901) 260-3752-Nikki Haynes    


June 2-3, The Eroica Ensemble, free concerts
Saturday, June 2, 2012, 7:30PM
First Congregational Church
1000 S. Cooper St.
Memphis, Tennessee

Sunday, June 3, 2012, 3:00PM
Brown Missionary Baptist Church
980 Stateline Road
Southaven, MS 		Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3
  Sanford Allen, violin

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

June 3, Sunday, 7:30 PM, Piano Concert, Baron Hirsch Synagogue, Free
Edvinas Minkstimas. This is part of the "Artists Ascending" series, which tries to bring in musicians at the start of distinguished careers; young people who have won major international competitions. It is usually an outstanding concert, as well as a chance to visit an impressive Orthodox synagogue if you haven't visited it before. Baron Hirsch is at 400 S. Yates Road in Memphis, Tennessee.  We are located one mile north of the intersection of Poplar & Yates Road.

June 10, the Memphis "Friends of Israel" Festival in Shelby Farms.  Listed since it brings out a mixture of pro-Israel Jews and fundamentalist Christians, but usually with a strong political slant.

June 12, Tuesday, 7:15 Movie at Jewish Community Center.  The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
Movie is free at 7:15;  Dinner Buffet (Spaghetti and Meatballs, etc.) at 6:15 costs $10, reserve at 598-1152 by the day before.
6560 Poplar Ave

June 19, Tuesday, 7:15 Movie at Jewish Community Center.  Barney's Version
Movie is free at 7:15;  Dinner Buffet (Taco Salad/Fajita Bar, Italian Ices) at 6:15 costs $10, reserve at 598-1152 by the day before.
6560 Poplar Ave


ONGOING EVENTS

 Bridges, the youth service agency ( http://www.bridgesusa.org/  ) has substantially enlarged its "Bridge Builders" program, with regular events for young people from 6th grade to 12th grade.  This is an excellent and very intercultural program and depends heavily on having a large variety of participants. It is often the first time that an inner-city young person encounters a Muslim or a Jew (or vice-versa.) We recommend it highly. On the other hand, I don't know how many readers of this page have kids in that age range or work with youth groups. I'd appreciate feedback on how often we should be reporting on "Bridge Builders" events. On this point, mail to  admin@memphisirg.org or call 327-9735.

Wednesday, 7:30 PM  The life of Muhammad, lecture series by Sheik Yasir Qadhi at the Memphis Islamic Center, 10225 Humphreys Road, Cordova, TN 38018. 
On-line broadcasts, http://www.memphisislamiccenter.org/

 Memphis School of Servant Leadership offers a number of classes and other meetings (e.g. a writers' group.). Some of these start as early as January 9th.  Their web site is http://www.servantleadership-memphis.org
and their Spring 2012 catalogue is at  http://www.servantleadership-memphis.org/Winter_Spring_2012_classes.doc
Phone number is 901-320-7005

The Eroica Ensemble gives free concerts at some of our favorite houses of worship, a good chance to visit these places if you’d rather not visit a religious service but would like to get to know the place and people, and hear some exceptionally good classical music for free!  Feb 4&5, March 3&4, March 24&25, May 5&6, June 2&3. The full schedule is at http://eroicamemphis.org/season.htm     497-9600

Sundays 11 AM and Fridays 7PM - Buddhist Meditation and Dharma Talk - Link Here
      A friend who attends the Sunday morning program points out that following the meditation, chanting, and brief lecture, there is a fre Viuetnamese lunch at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple next door.

Second Tuesday, 11:15 AM- Noon at the Memphis Theological Seminary.  Brown bag lunch (that is. you may bring something to eat during it if you wish: some do, some don't) and speaker , 168 East Parkway South, Room F-201 (Founders Hall,)  A chance to see the Seminary, if you haven't visited it. Or if you can't go, look at the live feed on the Seminary website, http://www.memphisseminary.edu/
   The "second Tuesday" lunches at the Memphis Theological Seminary
seem to be on hiatus for December and January, but
the excellent talk in November, on Nat Turner, is on line at
http://www.memphisseminary.edu/Brown-Bag-Lecture-Series/

Second Tuesday each month, 6:45 PM.  The monthly meeting of Pax Christi, the Roman Catholic Peace group, in Marian Hall downstairs from the sanctuary at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Meeting place can change at times,  For further information call Janice Vanderhaar at 901-362-9364.  http://www.paxchristimemphis.org
(Among the interesting aspects of life in Memphis is that the Catholic Bishop sponsors a potluck supper for the Gay and Lesbian community in the same place, at 6:30 on the first Tuesday or each month. If you want to see these people can relate to and remain active in a religious organization, by all means attend one of their meetings.)   

Second Tuesday 7 PM - a variety of programs at Temple Israel,  http://timemphis.org/  

 There are regular notices of events (sometimes on a bit short notice) at http://www.midsouthpeace.org/
The Worker's Interfaith Network  http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/  also has events with a nice interfaith turnout.
It is good to connect with these on Facebook for the promptest notices.
And of course there is the ever-improving listing of faith-related events at
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/lifestyles/faith-in-memphis/


Please let me know of things that should be included.
(admin@memphisirg.org)  or call us at 327-9735

 We also welcome reports of events you attended.