Inter-Faith Relations
MIFA began in September of 1968 with a gathering of clergy and lay leaders after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Members of the Memphis faith community were committed to joining forces to help heal the divisiveness in the city. So they came together--Jewish, Christian, black, and white--to look past their differences and work toward a common goal: a better life for the people of Memphis and Shelby County. MIFA does not deliver any religious message; rather, it provides opportunities for people of any faith to put their faith into action through service.
MIFA as a trustworthy resource
We hope you will view MIFA as a branch of your congregation's outreach. MIFA offers a wealth of programs, education, and meaningful opportunities for Mid-Southerners to live out their faiths.
The MIFA Congregational resource guide provides information for families in need and for the faith communities that help them. Download the 2011-2012 resource guide here.
The MIFA staff can speak to your Wednesday night dinner group about homelessness, arrange a hands-on work project for your youth, or equip you with driving directions and a cooler full of hot meals to deliver to our senior neighbors. When someone in your congregation or at your doorstep needs help due to a house fire, high medical bills, or a job layoff, MIFA will address the situation with dignity and compassion.
MIFA is strong because it is woven from rich and diverse threads of religious tradition centered on the belief that solving human problems takes cooperation. MIFA clients, volunteers, and staff are not required to leave their faith in the parking lot--rather, they are urged to bring it inside where we can learn from each other and work together to improve this community. After all, Inter-Faith is our middle name!
Ways to help
Over 200 area congregations support MIFA with financial gifts. Many choose to give monthly. Financial gifts in any amount help MIFA serve seniors, children and families, and teens in our community.
MIFA knows that recent economic conditions have made it more difficult for congregations to give, but there are several ways to contribute without breaking your budget, such as hosting an event and sharing the proceeds with MIFA.
A MIFA representative is that person in a congregation to
whom the clergy and members look for continuing information about MIFA
programs, workshops, and opportunities for involvement. Interested in
being a MIFA representative or appointing one? Brief training sessions
are provided year-round. To make arrangements, contact Linda Marks at
(901) 527-0208, ext. 218, or lmarks@mifa.org.
Inter-Faith Handyman projects
The Inter-faith Handyman program was created to advance MIFA’s inter-faith initiative by bringing youth and adults of different faiths together on a series of projects that serve the community. The program’s inaugural event on November 19, 2011, attracted more than 90 volunteers, exceeding all expectations.
Volunteers included inter-faith students from Rhodes College who are participating in President Obama’s White House Community Service Campus Challenge, led by Chaplain Walt Tennyson. They were joined by youth and adults from Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, youth from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, families from the Memphis Islamic Center, and members of Christ City Church, among others.
The goal of the project was to transform a neighborhood with several vacant houses by decoratively boarding up those structures. This activity discourages vandalism, squatting, and crime, and preserves the vacant houses until they become homes again. The group also cleaned up yards and offered to rake leaves for neighbors, some of whom offered bottled water, watched the progress, and joined in the work. And several weeks after the project was completed, a neighbor reported that none of the properties had since been vandalized.
The next inter-faith Handyman project will be held on Saturday, March 24. If your congregation is interested in participating, contact Linda Marks at (901) 527-0208 x218 or lmarks@mifa.org.