"We should be in a dialogue with each other, for the well-being of us all, despite any aversion we may have to our root tradition or people who don’t think like us." — Pamela Ayo Yetunde
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.
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.
Faith leaders on Earth – a multi-faith panel Tuesday, May 2, 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm, Zoom
Join our faith leader panel as they introduce us to the jewels of their tradition’s teachings on care for the earth. Panelists: Dr. Prasad Bastodkar, Hindu Society of Minnesota; Payton Hoegh, Episcopal Los Angeles and Center for Spirituality in Nature; Rabbi Ricky Kamil Temple Israel, Minneapolis and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative; Rev. Onryu Laura Kennedy, Buddhist priest / teacher; Lóre Stevens, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis.
It is common knowledge that many faith traditions offer wisdom about humans’ relationship with the earth, but what are the specifics? For example, what does Hinduism teach, and how might that be different from Jewish wisdom? How does Buddhism guide its followers about nature? Is Christian teaching about the earth different from its cultural U.S. practice? Join us for a rich time of sharing, discussion, and insight.
Multifaith Leadership Workshop Saturday, May 6, 8:15 am - 3:30 pm Iverson Center for Faith, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul (map)
“If we truly see ourselves as interconnected, we must endeavor for others as we endeavor for ourselves,” writes Executive Director of Aspen Institute's Religion & Society Program Simran Jeet Singh. If "endeavor for ourselves" and for greater self-discovery is inherently wrapped up in "endeavor for others" and for greater interpersonal engagement, then, as Pope Francis proclaims, “our great challenge is to create a culture of encounter which encourages individuals and groups to share the richness of their traditions and experience; to break down walls and to build bridges.” Cultivating a culture of encounter, grounded in curiosity and wonder, strives for a world in which “we can also speak with those who think differently, as well as those who hold other beliefs, who do not have the same faith.” Advancing common public goods in such a world embraces the reality that great minds do not – and need not – always think alike but requires them to think alongside one another in order to address the urgent matters of our day.
Join us for this daylong workshop at the University of St. Thomas, free and open to all, to explore what it means to create a culture of curiosity, wonder, and encounter. Learn from practitioners, scholars, and leaders about developing skills to engage religious diversity, cultivate curiosity through storytelling, listen with empathetic understanding, navigate difficult conversations, participate in religious and nonreligious spiritual practices, and to develop greater self-awareness for leadership in religiously diverse societies.
Free and open to the public. Registration Required. Lunch included. Ages 16+. Open to all religious, nonreligious, and spiritual identities, worldviews, and ways of life. Join us for good food, rich conversation, and deep engagement.
Note: Simran Jeet Singh Ph.D. will give the keynote address at 11:00 am. Participants who attend the keynote do not need to attend the daylong workshop, but are welcome to. Sign up to receive an email reminder for the keynote.
Building Vibrant Faith Communities Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall Headlines 2023 Annual Assembly Thursday, May 11 4:00 – 6:30 pm St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 900 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul
Interfaith Action member organizations will gather Thursday, May 11, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ for the 2023 Annual Assembly. We're thrilled to share that the Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, will lead an interfaith panel to discuss how the panelists are building vibrant, connected congregations in an often-disconnected world.
"Molly is a dynamic, deeply thoughtful, faith-based leader who engages with a combination of searing intellect and Southern charm," says Interfaith Action Executive Director Randi Ilyse Roth. "She is dedicated to the religious community living up to its highest and best purposes, and she invests in helping our community make that happen."
Every year, Interfaith Action brings together our member congregations to reflect on our work together, elect new board members, and hear from compelling speakers. Please join us! Registration is required.
Midwest Train the Advocate Workshop Thursday, June 1, and Friday, June 2, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Zoom
You're invited to a free Train the Advocate workshop hosted by Compassion & Choices via Zoom. If you are interested in speaking publicly about end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying, we hope you'll join us. Midwest supporters ONLY please. Attendance at both days is required.
Featuring:
Amy Sherman, Compassion & Choices Midwest advocacy director. Amy has a rich background in federal and state policy advocacy, law and healthcare administration.
Eric Parker, Partner, Stotis and Baird. Eric is an elder law attorney and leader of The Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition's Illinois Attorney Action Team.
Please note that in order to attend the workshop, you must sign Compassion & Choices' media and confidentiality agreements and volunteer sign up form. We will contact you after you RSVP to ensure that you complete these forms. Registration for this training will close on Friday, May 26.
Gathering at the Headwaters Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4 Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, MN
Join Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, RISE Coalition, Honor the Earth, and 8th Fire Solar for their 6th annual Gathering at Mississippi’s Headwaters. Be with people of faith and conscience as we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and nurture connections with our land, water, and all living creatures. Come away invigorated by the real change we are creating through legislation and policies, and the multitude of ways we honor and respect one another and the Earth.
Our “home base” for this family-friendly gathering will be the Lake Ozawindib Group Center at Itasca State Park. We will have opportunities in the surrounding area to be in community as we learn, deepen, and pray together.
Below is a general outline of the weekend. Join us for part of a day or the whole weekend!
Friday, June 2: Arrival; the Ozawindib camp opens at 5:00 pm
Saturday, June 3: Area field trips, including the Fire Light Mississippi camp; lunch at LaSalle Lake State Recreation Area; evening community meal catered by Josie’s Family Fry Bread
Sunday, June 4: Multifaith prayer circle at the Headwaters, 11:00 am; box lunches provided; departure
All are welcome! We do not want finances to be a barrier, so please register and come whether or not you can donate. For those who can financially support this event, please make a suggested donation of $75-$250 per person.
Summer Solstice Celebration Friday, June 16, 4:00 - 8:00 pm Carondelet Center, 1890 Randolph Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105
Join us for Wisdom Ways’ 2nd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration! We’ll be celebrating with food, community, music, and fun activities! This event is FREE, and folks are invited to come and go throughout the event.
Enjoy: • Drumming from TaikoArts Midwest • Music from Sara Thomsen & Paula Pedersen • Nature Mandala Art Installation by Ann Viveros • Art Exhibition opening by Janis Delher • Community Coloring Art Display • Debut of our NEW Wheelchair-Accessible Rental Labyrinth created by Lisa Moriarty • And more!
Food Trucks: • Sambusa Express • Que Tal Street Eats • Sweet Früchi’s
Why the U.S. census doesn’t ask about religion: U.S. census forms don’t ask about religion, but relatively few Americans know this, according to a survey from 2020. That’s not to say the Census Bureau hasn’t gathered data about Americans’ faith backgrounds through other means from time to time. A new Pew Research Center analysis answers some basic questions about the often-debated place of religion in the census throughout much of U.S. history.
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 4 & 18; June 1 & 15; July 6 & 20; August 3 & 17
Job Openings
The Augsburg Interfaith Institute is hiring a Managing Director! The Managing Director has the main responsibility for the administration and management of the programs and activities of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Managing Director stewards existing partnerships and programs while exploring opportunities for new partnerships and learning between the Augsburg community and a network of local and national interfaith partners.
Minnesota Council of Churches is looking for a new Manager of Extended Services! This leadership position within MCC Refugee Services plays an important role in serving the needs of clients, supporting MCC staff, and ensuring success of MCC programs. Apply and find other openings here!
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