"The Buddha didn’t call what he was doing 'Buddhism.' He described a path, an art, and a way of life in which we cultivate our innate capacity to be awake and aware." — Sister Dang Nghiem, “Meet a Teacher: Sister Dang Nghiem”
International Day of Living Together in Peace Saturday, May 20, 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Valley Lake Park 16050 Garrett Path, Lakeville, MN 55044
Members of our interfaith community and other committed community members have planned an exciting day for the South Metro at Valley Lake Park in Lakeville. The event is celebrating the International Day of Living Together in Peace and all are welcome! Activities, games, food (halal, kosher, and vegan), resources, and fun! All free. It is an interfaith picnic plus!
The International Day of Living Together in Peace is a day to live and act together in peace. It is a day to respect differences and diversity and to unite in the spirit of understanding, respect, tolerance, inclusion, and solidarity. Google map of participants/activities here.
Join us tonight for Thinking Religiously Together Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Zoom
MnMN is excited to announce a new "convening" or gathering of people interested in exploring religious traditions together. This convening titled "Thinking Religiously Together" will provide an opportunity for participants to consider different topics that touch on our religious understanding.
Each month we will invite a new guest to present on a topic of interest. This person could be a religious leader, scholar or faith practitioner. We are hoping for lively and personal discussion based on shared learning. As always, we hope that this convening leads to further both education and new connections with others in our greater community.
Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council Thursday, May 18, 12:00 pm, Zoom
Drawing on the already existing network structure of MnMN, Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council (ELMAC) is comprised of young leaders in different faith communities and communities of no faith. This structure allows for multifaith conversations related to pressing issues and creates a space in which beliefs can be shared safely.
Generation Z and Millennials will meet once per month to collaborate on potential solutions to the major issues facing their generation. ELMAC is a space for young Minnesota leaders to develop their views of the world while forming a supportive network. All under 35 are welcome to join. Please fill out this form to indicate your interest.
MnMN is now accepting applications for Multifaith Leadership Training Program
The Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) in partnership with the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas is conducting a joint Multifaith Leadership Training. Participants will be non-students from Minnesota to join student Interfaith Fellows from St. Thomas and other Minnesota colleges.
Eligibility: Persons under the age of 35 interested in developing transferable dialogue skills for leadership and for strengthening multifaith relations in the broader community. No prior experience is expected.
Time Commitment: The seminar meets six times by Zoom for 75 minutes approximately every other week during September to November, 2023. Days and times of sessions will be determined based on availability of participants. The program concludes with an in-person public workshop in the spring of 2024. The workshop will involve local scholars, experts, trainers, and leaders.
Content: Topics include dialogue, interfaith dialogue, identity, key tools of dialogical communication, the righting reflex and motivational interviewing, courage and vulnerability for leadership, and empathy in religiously diverse contexts (e.g., DEI, workplace, public life). Topics subject to change.
Stipend: Accepted participants receive an all-inclusive honorarium ($400 each) to put towards attending the six online sessions and travel/lodging for the in-person workshop.
Robert Frost addressed the likely expiration of the world in his poem, “Fire and Ice”:
Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To know that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.
So will our passions lead to global warming beyond control or the fires of nuclear apocalypse? Will mutual suspicion and alienation freeze all possibility of cooperation for common ends? Will the ties that bind us continue to unravel? Will we be the agent of our own downfall, or will divine anger (or for those of us who do not believe in vengeful deities, a rogue asteroid) do it for us? Will we go out with a bang or a whimper?
On Monday, May 15 from 7-9 PM by Zoom, we will face annihilation -- hopefully in the distant future. Our interbelief reasoning dialogue's agreements of open-mindedness, acceptance, curiosity, discovery, sincerity, brevity, and confidentiality are designed to stave off final (or at least immediate) catastrophe. In the meantime, don’t worry; be happy, because who knows what could happen!
Did you know that Minnesota youth are the only youth in the nation that have an official voice in legislation? Join us on May 16th to learn about the four key initiatives of the Minnesota Youth Council (MYC) and the work they have done this legislative session in pursuit of a just and equitable Minnesota.
The MYC envisions a state that prioritizes the agency and voice of young people from all backgrounds. The MYC is a collaborative of youth leaders that works to amplify the voice and power of their peers across the state of Minnesota. These young leaders are the go-to group in Minnesota for elevating and championing youth voice in decision-making. Members of the MYC are change agents in their communities and across the state, leading the way with youth-centered systems change. The Council is comprised of 8th-12th graders representing each congressional district in Minnesota and provides guidance to the legislature, governor, and Department of Education on issues affecting young people.
Swami Anubhavananda Talk Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Minnesota Hindu Milan Mandir, 501 Walnut St, Farmington, MN 55024
Free and open to the public! You are cordially invited to attend a talk by Swami Anubhavanand at Milan Mandir. Swamiji will teach you all about how to apply Bhagwad Gita in your daily life. Dinner will be served after the talk.
Swamiji's motto: "Greatness is achieved by paying attention to small things. Do not struggle for God realization. Let Him manifest through you" - Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati.
The Spirituality of Grief with Rev. Dr. Fran Shelton
Thursday, May 18, 2:00 pm Central, Zoom
Join Compassion & Choices for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Fran Shelton about her new book, The Spirituality of Grief. The book honors the complex nature of grief and offers simple comfort: We are not alone, and there is no one right way to grieve.
Rev. Dr. Shelton is a renowned author, pastor, spiritual director and co-founder of the nonprofit Faith & Grief. She leads bereavement workshops and spiritual retreats, and is a preacher and regular keynote speaker at conferences. For 20 years, she served Presbyterian church (USA) congregations in Texas, primarily in pastoral care. Rev. Dr. Shelton will join us on Zoom to walk us through some of the many questions that gather in the wake of a loved one’s death, and provide us with guidance and practices to sustain hope and connection in times of loss. This webinar will be recorded, and we will share the recording with everyone who registers. So feel free to sign up even if you cannot attend, and we will email you the recording.
Cultural Heritage Day Saturday, July 15, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Hindu Temple of Minnesota, 10530 Temple Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55311 Join us for a celebration of Indian culture and heritage at the Hindu Temple of MN on Saturday, Jul 15, 2023! Our Cultural Heritage Day is sure to be a blast, with tons of fun activities, traditional dances, beautiful music, and more. Save the date and come immerse yourself in the rich traditions of India! 🙏🏽🇮🇳
Want to get involved? 👉Performances: cultural@hsmn.org 👉Vendors: ecsecretary@hsmn.org 👉Volunteering: volunteer@hsmn.org 👉Food: foodchair@hsmn.org 👉Art: uma.bastodkar@hsmn.org
Check out current job openings at Minnesota Council of Churches here.
More Events
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding is hosting a Fireside Chat with experts conducting quantitative research on Muslims in North America, happening on May 18, 7:00 pm Central.
Join Compassion & Choices for a Midwest Train the Advocate Workshop onThursday, June 1, and Friday, June 2, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Zoom. Attendance at both days is required.
Join Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, RISE Coalition, Honor the Earth, and 8th Fire Solar for their 6th annual Gathering on Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4 at Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, MN.
Facilitating Cultural Change is an advanced 5 day in-person institute for practitioners of cultural, systemic, and transformational change towards the common good, June 12-16 at the United Theological Seminary in St. Paul.
Twice every month, Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul joins forces with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, the Twin Cities Cardozo Society, and Progressive Baptist Church to provide a legal clinic free-of-charge for community members, 12:30 – 3:00 pm every other Thursday. Upcoming dates: May 18; June 1 & 15; July 6 & 20; August 3 & 17.
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