Preview silent auction items for the Faith and Labor Picnic

This year's Faith and Labor Picnic will include our first ever silent auction. You can preview the items below that will be up for bid on Labor Day. And don't forget to buy your Picnic tickets now, while they're still discounted! Remember, your ticket price includes all musical and dance entertainment, food, beverages, chance to win doorprizes, and a MoonBounce and facepainting for the kids.

Item #1: Memphis Grizzlies basketball signed by Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Sam Young, AJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, Greivis Vasquez, Coach Lionel Hollins, and more

Value: $250
Minimum bid: $85
Donated by: Coach Lionel Hollins, Memphis Grizzlies

Item #2: "God's kingdom is right by your doorstep" 16 x 20 inch painting

Value: $200
Minimum bid: $75
Donated by: Jaime Winton

Item #3: Pottery honey pot

Value: $30
Minimum bid: $18
Donated by: Melissa Bridgman

Item #4: Glass jewelry pendant with tree of life

Value: $25
Minimum bid: $15
Donated by: Marjorie Levy (her jewelry is available at the St. John's Artisans store)

Item #5: Signed paperback copy of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Value: $15

Minimum bid: $10

Donated by: Gretchen Rubin

Item #6: $25 Target gift card

Value: $25
Minimum bid: $18
Donated by: Judy Bettice

Item #7: Swarovski crystal pendant on 18 inch sterling silver chain

Value: $30
Minimum bid: $18
Donated by: Anne Walton Garrison (her jewelry is available at the St. John's Artisans store)

Item #8
$25 Kroger gift card

Value: $25
Minimum bid: $18
Donated by: Communication Workers of America




Want to take one of these items home? Come to the Faith and Labor Picnic on Labor Day, September 5th to place your bid. We will be accepting cash, checks, and Visa or MasterCard. Bidding will be open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.



Get a 15% discount on your Faith and Labor Picnic tickets by buying them by Thursday, September 1st. Advance tickets are available from WIN's website, by calling (901) 332-3570, or by purchasing them from a volunteer in your congregation or organization.

Top Ten Reasons to Come to the Faith and Labor Picnic

Each Labor Day, Workers Interfaith Network throws the ultimate party with a purpose: the Faith and Labor Picnic. More than 450 Mid-Southerners come together for fellowship, fun, and to raise the funds we need to stand up for worker rights all year round. I can think of dozens of reasons you'll want to buy your tickets today, but I've narrowed it down to a top ten list:

10. If you get your tickets before the Picnic, you get a 15% discount! Go to our website to buy tickets before the event, or buy them from a ticket seller in your congregation or organization. Advance tickets are just $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 -12, or $30 for families.

Note: if you use our website, the top part of the form is for Picnic sponsorships. You don't have to sponsor in order to buy tickets. Just click on the button that says "no thank you" under Picnic sponsor, and then fill out the ticket portion.

9. Did someone say doorprizes? With 35 doorprizes to give away, there's a good chance you'll walk away with something. Could you use an Itunes or Target gift card, a couple of boxes of Kroger cereal, a basket of Avon goodies, or a beach bag made from plarn?

8. The dunk tank is a great way to release your pent-up agression. We've even heard that a County Commissioner may agree to get in the dunk tank this year. Start practicing your throws!

7. Incredible music and dance performances. Danza Azteca has been a highlight of the Picnic for the last 3 years, and favorites from last year Alicia Washington and Esteban Alexis will join us again this year. New this year: a performance by John Kilzer, who you can check out in this video from Channel 3's Live at 9 (at the 2:45 mark is where John performs.)

6. A Labor Day cookout is fun, as long as you're not the cook. So leave the hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers, baked beans, chips, and veggies to us. Oh, and did I mention the homemade cookies? You don't want to miss the taste - or the joy of not having to turn on your oven.

5. Kids bouncing off the walls? Let them bounce in the Moon Bounce instead. We'll also have facepainting for the kids.

4. We're going green this year! All our plates, napkins, and utensils will either be made from recycled materials or will be compostable.

3. Are you a Grizzlies fan? This year, we'll have a small silent auction for several items, included a basketball signed by Grizzly star players (AJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay, and more), pottery by Melissa Bridgman, jewelry by local artists, and a signed copy of The Happiness Project. So be sure to bring your checkbook or some extra cash in case you see something you just have to have!

2. Connect with other progressive causes. Curious about what else is going on in Memphis and how you can connect? Lots of other nonprofits and unions will have booths at the Picnic. The Picnic is also a great chance to check out candidates for office, since many usually attend.

1. You'll celebrate the victories you've made possible, and raise the funds we need to win even greater victories. Workers Interfaith Network wants to say thank you in person for partnering with University of Memphis workers to get their first raise toward a living wage, and much more.

     Have I convinced you? Buy your discounted tickets by Thursday, September 1st, because prices will be higher at the door.

     We look forward to seeing you on Labor Day, September 5th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1738 Galloway Ave. in Midtown.

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Labor Day Weekend Worship Resources

    Are you a clergy or layperson who wants to help your congregation make the connection between faith and work? Your Labor Day weekend worship service is an ideal time to do this. Workers Interfaith Network and our national organization Interfaith Worker Justice have prepared a number of resources to help you plan your service.
    You can view a complete list of resources here, but I want to highlight a few things for you:

• Looking for a scripture for your sermon that relates to work and justice? See our list. If you can think of another good scripture to use, tell me in the comments section.
• Need a prayer or a responsive reading? Here are a collect and a responsive prayer you can use.
• City of Memphis workers are facing a crisis as the City has cut their pay, in violation of collective bargaining agreements the City already signed. Use our bulletin insert to share about their situation, and let members of your congregation know how they can help.
• Interfaith Worker Justice has a number of prayer and responsive readings about the unemployment crisis.
• If you'll be celebrating the eucharist on Labor Day weekend, you can use our Great Thanksgiving for Labor Sunday.

   Of course, if you're in the Memphis area, we hope you'll also be inviting members of your congregation to attend the Faith and Labor Picnic on Labor Day. The Faith and Labor Picnic is the best way to celebrate the true meaning of Labor Day with 450 other people who care about justice for workers.

   Do you plan to do something special in your worship service to connect faith and work? Let us know what your plans are in the comments section.

Partner with workers seeking justice: become a sponsor or buy tickets to WIN's Faith and Labor Picnic. Buying your tickets before the Picnic gets you a 15 percent discount!