September Reflections

...a The illiterate of the future are not those that cannot read or write. They are those that can not learn, unlearn, relearn. ~Alvin Toffler

The Power of I-Statements by Stephan McLaughlin
 

There is a common process that runs through several of the most innovative areas of spiritual connection and growth in our lives today. Small circle groups, 12 step recovery meetings, Restorative Justice and Circles of Trust all have in common the healing power of sharing and listening to our personal stories in confidential, safe settings with other people.
To read more, click here to visit our blog.

Online Calendar

The HEAL Community Calendar is updated regularly so be sure to check the Calendar for new events throughout the month! Submit events to info@healfoundation.org. To be in the monthly newsletter, all events must be submitted by the first day of the month. All other events will be added to the online community calendar as they are received.

September 16
11:30am-1pm
A Bridge to Recovery in Southaven, MS
Join HEAL Founder Stephan McLaughlin as he celebrates National Recovery Month with an Open House at A Bridge to Recovery. Stephan recently joined A Bridge to Recovery's staff as a clinical facilitator. More than a group facilitator, Stephan is a life coach for clients and their families as they start across the bridge to a sober, happier, and more fulfilling life. For more information on this event, contact Clark Converse at 662.519.9042.

Community Events

2009 Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking:
October 23-25
Christian Brothers University

Featuring Mubarak Awad, Rudy Balles, Kathy Kelly, Barbara Love, Michael Nagler, CT Vivian with dozens of workshops, panel discussions, trainings, and other happenings. This three day conference will bring together modern visionaries on nonviolence and social change with community leaders, activists, academics, and organizers to train, learn, plan, and organize to create a culture of liberation and justice for all. Early registration available through September 15. For more information and to register, visit gandhikingconference.org.

PeaceJam Slam (w/ the GandhiKing Conference)
October 23
7:30am-4pm
Christian Brothers University
This day-long event will offer high school age youth an innovative, community building experience full of fun and inspiration. Friday morning will begin with a plenary address from Rudy Balles, PeaceJam Foundation leader and Chicano/American Indian activist. The day will also include optional workshops designed to build young people's skills and knowledge of teambuilding, tolerance, peaceful dialogue, and social justice while introducing them to challenges and solutions that affect the local Memphis community. Cost is $20. For more information, visit peacejam.org.

Community Events

United to End Racism: Fundamentals of Re-evaluation Counseling Workshop For Southern United States, Led by Barbara Love
October 2-4
St. Columba Episcopalian Retreat Ctr.
United to End Racism (UER) is a group of people of all ages and backgrounds in many different countries who are dedicated to eliminating racism in the world. This will be a post-White Privilege Conference residential weekend workshop open to anyone who has attended or heard about a UER/RC event, would like to learn about UER/RC, or would like to bring friends and/or family to learn more about UER/RC. For more information about UER, visit rc.org. For information on this weekend workshop, contact Laura Sullivan at laurasullivan44@gmail.com or 901.351.0325.

Common Ground
New classes are forming for the fall session. The deadline is September 4 for the September 14 - October 26 sessions and October 2 for the October 12 - November 30 sessions. Common Ground consists of small groups of diverse people who have agreed to meet for several hours with a trained facilitator who leads a discussion on race relations. For information on the locations and more on Common Ground visit commongroundmemphis.org.

Shake Yourself Loose Meditation
2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month
Union Avenue United Methodist Church
Free weekly meditation group that also features discussions on different form of meditation. Meets on the third floor every Tuesday at Galloway United Methodist Church. For more information contact Greta at shakeyourselfloosemeditation@comcast.net.

Faith and Labor Picnic
September 7
11am-2pm
Trinity United Methodist Church
The Faith and Labor Picnic, held each Labor Day, is the annual fundraiser for Workers Interfaith Network, and is also the largest labor sponsored event in Memphis held on Labor Day weekend. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12, or a maximum charge of $30 per family. Tickets can be purchased online, or the day of the picnic. For more information, visit workersinterfaithnetwork.org.

Recovery Repertory Theater followed by Candlelight Compline
Sept. 11
7 pm
Grace Saint Luke's Episcopal Church
Recovery Repertory Theater will perform their 2009 musical comedy/drama play "The Reunion." Sponsored by the Addiction and Recovery Commission of the Diocese of West Tennessee. For more information, contact Lucy Owens at 901.272.7425 or lucy@gslparish.org. Event is free and open to the public.

Celebrating Women and Recovery
September 12
8-11am
Holy Community UMC
This event will serve women receiving treatment from local centers, women with continuous sobriety, and women still in active addiction, many of them homeless. The speaker for this event will celebrate her 21st year of continuous sobriety on the day of the event. The purpose of the event is to provide fellowship and encouragement to women (still in treatment) from women (with continuous sobriety) and hope to those who are still in active addiction. For more information, contact Linda Barnes, 901.361.4763 or chosenvesselministries@yahoo.com.

International Day of Peace
September 21
Various Locations in Memphis and Worldwide
The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on September 21 - is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small. For more information and for local events, visit internationaldayofpeace.org or civilrightsmuseum.org.

I Have a Dream Exhibition
September 21- November 8
9am-5pm
National Civil Rights Museum Gallery
International Tribute Exhibition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Artists from around the world interpret the universal relevance of Dr. King's vision for humanity in this tribute exhibition organized by the City Council of Sitges, Spain. Tribute includes fine art representations of Dr. King's image, depictions of struggle and activism, and works about cultural norms of gender and race. Included in Museum admission. Call 901.521.9699x223 or visit civilrightsmuseum.org for more information.

International Freedom Award Luncheon honoring His Holiness The Dalai Lama
September 23
11am
The Peabody Hotel Grand Ballroom
The National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award Luncheon is the first of two events which honors individuals who have made significant contributions in civil rights and who have laid the foundation for present and future leaders in the battle for human rights. The International Freedom Award is given to an individual whose work has had global impact or has impacted the state of human and civil rights abroad. Ticketed event. Call 901.526.1813 or visit Civilrightsmuseum.org for more information.

Rain Barrel Construction Session.
September 27
2-5pm
School of Servant Leadership
This workshop will be a "how-to" on rain barrels. For more information, call 901.320.7005 for more information.