Speaker Program

Please join us at the South Ferry Church on South Ferry Road in Narragansett for a series of community speaking programs. Pertinent to state, national and international issues and events, the speaking programs encompass a broad array of topics important in today’s ever changing and challenging world. Programs are held from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Mondays in August, and are free and open to the community. 

31
July

Dr. Earl Jackman

Monday July 31, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Topic: The Alphabet Soup of Medicare Part A, B, C and D!!

Dr. Jackman is the Medical Director of the Physician Assistant program at Bryant University, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. He continues to practice clinical medicine as a staff gynecologist at the Rhode Island Free Clinic where he was named the Physician of the Year for 2022. Prior to returning to Rhode Island, he practiced obstetrics, gynecology and urogynecology in Toms River, New Jersey for thirty years. He was a Regional Medical Director for Humana, Inc. for ten years and is considered a subject matter expert in Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. He is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American College of Surgeons (ACS) and affiliate member of the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP). Dr. Jackman will discuss the complexities encountered in navigating the health care system involving CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the role of mid-level providers in today's world of medicine.

 
August

Isaac Ginis

 Monday August 7, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Topic: How Rhode Island Can Better Prepare for Extreme Weather

Dr. Ginis is a professor at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, where he specializes in the interactions between hurricanes and the ocean. Dr. Ginis has contributed to the development of advanced hurricane prediction models, which have been incorporated into the operational forecasting by the U.S. National Hurricane Center and the Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center worldwide. His current research projects focus on advancing computer models for predicting coastal hazards and impacts from hurricanes and extratropical storms and preparing coastal communities for future risks. Dr. Ginis is also one of the lead developers and science advisors of the educational, multi- disciplinary website and iBook, Hurricanes: Science and Society, which have become classroom tools for science educators nationwide.

21
August

Andrew Schiff

Monday August 21, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Topic:  Ending Hunger in Rhode Island: Lessons from the Pandemic

Andrew Schiff  has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in Providence since May 2007. Before joining the Food Bank, Andrew was Assistant Director at Project Bread – the Walk for Hunger, a statewide, anti-hunger organization in Massachusetts; Director of Professional Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Boston; and Director of Mental Health at the Neponset Health Center in Dorchester Massachusetts. He attended Haverford College as an undergraduate and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Emory University.

28 
August

Tim Gray

Monday August 28, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Topic:  The Greatest Generation: Keeping the Stories Alive

Tim Gray is the founder and president of the International Museum of World War II, located in Wakefield, RI. Established in 2018, the Museum has roughly 5,000 original and rare WW II artifacts and books. Its newly renovated theater hosts educational events for school groups from around Southern New England. Tim has produced over 33 documentaries about WW II, five of which were awarded regional Emmys. The Museum’s films are among the most requested programs nationally by PBS and affiliates. Tim is a graduate of URI and worked as a sportscaster in NY, FLA, and RI before becoming a filmmaker. On October 23, 2021, Tim Gray was inducted into the RI Hall of Fame.

  • Get in touch

    If you would like to get in touch with us directly,
    please use the following contact details below:

    Tel: 401-742-9108  
    Website: www.southferrychurch.org

  • KEEP THE BEACON BRIGHT

    Today the stewardship of the South Ferry Church has passed to the Friends of the South Ferry Church, a group of concerned citizens. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and are dependent on our many donors for the annual costs of maintaining and improving our historic building and grounds.

    Recognizing the building's priceless and irreplaceable part of the architectural historic heritage of Rhode Island, the Friend's mission is to protect the South Ferry Church from alteration or deterioration.