Lectures, Service to Mark Gandhi's 150th Birthday, International Day of Peace in Nashville

19 July 2019
nonviolence lectures

The United Religions Initiative Nashville Cooperation Circle will host a series of events in September to commemorate United Nations International Day of Peace (IDP) and Mahatma Ghandi's 150th birthday. 

We will mark International Day of Peace with an interfaith service themed “Let us Work and Pray Together for Environmental Peace”, keeping with the official 2019 theme of IDP: "Climate Action for Peace".

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 7:00-8:00 PM HARAMBEE AUDITORIUM,SCARRITT BENNETT CENTER RECEPTION TO FOLLOW In support of the International Day of Peace, an interfaith service of worship will be held at Scarritt Bennett Center. The theme is “Let us Work and Pray Together for Environmental Peace” and representatives of different faiths will share prayers from seven religious faiths that speak to the condition of the environment. Committed to building bridges between peoples and transforming hate into hope and love, let us come together to pray and work for all of creation as members of the world’s religions.

 

Mahatma Ghandi practiced “AHIMSA” is a multidimensional concept, inspired by the premise that all living beings have the spark of the divine spiritual energy; therefore, to hurt another being is to hurt oneself. We will honor this teaching of Ghandi's with a lecture series entitled "Nonviolence in Today's World: Is it possible
to live in peace?" Dr. George Wolfe, former director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Ball State University and fellow URI member from Muncie Interfaith Fellowship, will deliver these lectures. 

The three events, September 20-22 will honor Mahatma Gandhi 150th birthday and how he preached and practiced “AHIMSA”, which the world has named “NONVIOLENCE”. Ahimsa is a multidimensional concept, inspired by the premise that all living beings have the spark of the divine spiritual energy; therefore, to hurt another being is to hurt oneself. George Wolfe is guest speaker and musician at each September event. Dr. Wolfe is Professor Emeritus at Ball State University where he served as director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. He is a certified mediator and was trained to conduct interfaith dialogue at All-Faiths Seminary International in New York City. His fellowship from the Eli Lilly Endowment made possible his first trip to India where he became interested in the nonviolent philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Wolfe is a classical saxophonist and poet. He will read some of his poems and play saxophone at each event. NONVIOLENCE IN TODAY'S WORLD: is it possible to live in peace? September 20 | 7:00-8:30 PM Laskey Hall - Scarritt Bennett Center 1027 18th Avenue South Nashville “Conflict to Cooperation: Interfaith Fellowship in Middletown USA” will be led by George Wolfe and sharing the change in Muncie, Indiana from a city of divisive controversy to a thriving interfaith progressive community. September 21 | 6:00-9:00 PM Ganesha Temple Nashville 527 Old Hickory Blvd Nashville “Peace Making with the Arts and Dialogue” highlighting Gandhi’s non- violence teachings as well as poetry and music. A Hindu dance group will perform prior to dinner. George Wolfe will speak about how Gandhi’s life influenced his life and work. www.ganeshatemple.org September 22 | 10 AM Worship Service at Unity Church 5125 Franklin Pike Nashville George Wolfe will play his saxophone during this service. www.unityofnashville.org All events are free and open to public. If you have questions about these events please email Joyce Wilding at joycewilding@comcast.net or call 615-952-5812