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Please RSVP for our special Red Bench event on Tuesday, August 31
Important News: In
response to the growing controversy related to the proposed Muslim
Community Center in New York, and the more generalized expressions of
anti-Muslim sentiment around the nation, AAIM (Austin Area
Interreligious Ministries) will be presenting a special "emergency"
session of its dialog program "The Red Bench: Interfaith Conversations
that Matter" on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:30 PM. Location: Congregation Beth Israel at 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd.
The
Red Bench program features moderated small group conversations that
provide a safe and civil way for people of different faiths to share
their concerns and experiences and to learn from one another. This
dialog will address the question: "How do we deal with the fear of Islam and the consequences of our own fears?" The program will get under way with a panel of representatives leaders
representing Christianity, Judaism, and Islam each responding to the
question that the participants will be addressing.
Special provisions will be made for Muslims who are observing Ramadan -
an area will be set aside for evening prayers and light refreshments
will be served following sunset.
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Our Fall Red Bench dates are: 9/28, 10/26, and 12/7. (We will be skipping the month of November - instead please join us for our 26th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday, November 21.)
About The Red Bench
Several years ago, when writing about the
need for conversations that build lasting relationships, Dr. Betty Sue
Flowers recommended that corporations and other organizations place red
benches in their public spaces. The idea was simple -- by sitting on
one of these red benches you were signaling to others that you were
open to a conversation about something that really matters to you. The
red bench became both a symbol to underscore the importance of
conversation and an actual place where these conversations could occur.
In that spirit, AAIM has replaced its former Delegate Assembly with a new interfaith dialogue program
for Central Texas:
The Red Bench: Interfaith Conversations that Matter
The Red Bench Conversations for Fall 2009 focused on the moral virtues --
those aspects of human goodness that all of the world's great faith
traditions try to instill. Our first three programs examined forgiveness, compassion, and gratitude. This year we are building on these conversations and continuing to lead participants to
the heart of their own life-experiences...
Please join us for our next Red Bench gathering on Tuesday, September 28, 2010.
This free program is open to everyone and will start at 6:00 pm at
First United Methodist Church's Family Life Center, located at the
northwest corner of 13th and Lavaca streets. Click here to view map.
Parking: You can park on the third level (or higher) of
the garage located immediately south of the FUMC
Family Life Center. The entrance is located on 13th St. near Lavaca. The gate will be up and you will
not be charged for parking.
Food: A light vegetarian dinner will be provided at 6:00 pm. Our program will begin at 6:30 and conclude by 8:00.
Please join us in thanking First United
Methodist Church, our site sponsor for The Red Bench program.
They have graciously opened their space to us!
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