🎊MnMN's Annual Convening featured in the news!🎊

 "Minnesota's multifaith leaders offer wisdom in this fraught political moment" 

Talking Sense Series by Catharine Richert 

Faith leaders in Minnesota are trying to build bridges at a time of intense political polarization. 

A group of them convened recently at the Minnesota Multifaith Network annual conference at the Hindu Temple in Maple Grove to share ideas. 

The conference took place about a week after the presidential election, and leaders in attendance shared wisdom about how to heal a divided electorate and find connection in this fraught time.

From Our Partners

Clouds in Water Zen Center: Youth and Family Program

Fall 2024 Session: Every other Sunday, Oct 6th - Dec 1st & Rohatsu December 8th, 9:30 am - 11 am 

Zen Family Practice gathers every other Sunday morning. Caregivers learn alongside their children. We practice Zen through songs, movement, stories, simple meditations, a mindful snack, and free play. We learn how to slow down and live deliberately within a sometimes chaotic world. Families of all religious backgrounds are welcome!

Fall 2024 Session: Every other Sunday, Oct 6th - Dec 1 (Plus Rohatsu December 8th), 9:30 am - 11 am 

In Youth Practice students will learn broader concepts of the dharma and mindfulness through instruction by dedicated Zen practitioners.  Class time will center around learning about mindfulness through meditation and movement,  as well as providing students with time for broader discussions of what mindfulness means to them.  Our goal for students is to trust in their ability to practice mindfulness in practical and meaningful ways in their own lives.

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative

Virtual Rally: Our Future Starts With Home

Wednesday, December 4th, 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom 

Did you know Beacon is part of a large and growing coalition of organizations across Minnesota, calling for sustainable, predictable state funding for housing? In communities across the state, people are facing many barriers to permanent housing, including the impacts of the opioid epidemic and rising cost of living. The visibility of unsheltered homelessness brings these concerns to the forefront.

We need to grow public investment for supportive housing more than ever. This isn't possible without creating a new revenue stream. The Our Future Starts With Home campaign is calling on the state legislature to put a new tax for housing on the ballot which would provide funding for shelters, supportive housing, rental vouchers and home ownership – the solutions that work! Join fellow advocates and legislators to rally for this solution and take action together. 

(This event is replacing Beacon’s monthly Rent is Due action call for December)

Beacon Legislative Preview 

Tuesday, December 17th, 4:30pm- 5:30pm, Zoom 

Come learn about the particular policies we are working on to advance supportive housing in the coming 2025 legislative session. We will also walk through the strategies and events we are planning to help you and your congregation be engaged in ways that work for you. All are welcome! 

MNIPL: Reparations Learning Labs 

Wednesday, December 11th, 12:00-1:00pm. 

We are offering monthly, hour-long, interactive sessions on Zoom that invite people into deeper reflection, work, and action towards repair and reparation. These sessions are intended for white-bodied people from across different identities, lineages, traditions, and geographies who are already committed to the work of repair and reparation, and who want to continue to learn, grow, and build community. We will focus on moving from ideas towards action, and on building personal, collective, and systemic reparations practices. Black, Indigenous, Brown, and Native folks and other people of color are also welcome to join. Click the links below to RSVP! (Note: you'll have to RSVP to all of the events you want to attend)

• • Spiritual Practices | Wednesday, December 11 | Noon - 1 pm 
  • Political Solidarity | Wednesday, January 8 | Noon - 1 pm 
  • Wealth Return | Wednesday, February 12 | Noon - 1 pm

More Events

ICJS: Manekin-Clark Lecture 

December 5th, 6:30-8:00pm, Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh in Baltimore

Join us for the 2024 Manekin-Clark Lecture with Rabbi Sharon Brous, author of the best-selling “The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World,” in conversation with Rabbi Jessy Dressin of Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh and ICJS Executive Director Heather Miller Rubens, Ph.D.

In her work, Brous explores how to build meaningful community in an age of loneliness and alienation, warning that this disconnection fuels extremist social and political movements, fostering a crisis that is not only political, but also spiritual. She emphasizes that relationships of care and curiosity are vital for both personal healing and fostering a more connected society. This event is co-sponsored by Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh.

Friends for A NonViolent World: Intergenerational Alternatives To Violence Project Workshop

Braver Angels Minnesota is part of a national citizens' movement that brings together conservatives, liberals, independents and others to restore trust, respect and goodwill in American politics. We seek not to eliminate our differences but rather deal with them head-on -- with respect and understanding -- for the betterment of our communities. In short, we do not try to change people's views on issues but on how they view the other side. We offer workshops, debates and structured conversations - typically for no charge - that allow participants to learn and practice effective listening and speaking skills. 

Braver Angels Minnesota Statewide Open House on Zoom: Are You Curious?

Tuesday, December 10th, 7- 8 pm, Zoom

Are you willing to be curious? Do you have a curiosity about the other side but there’s no one to ask in your circle of friends and family? Beginning in December, your state coordinators will hold monthly Open Houses on Zoom to field your questions. We welcome you to ask your question. We’re curious, too. Join us! Questions? Contact mn-coodinators@braverangels.org

Mark Your Calendars

• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast January 20th, 2025. Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul is partnering for the 24th year with General Mills and  UNCF to bring to the greater twin cities communities the live broadcast feed from the Minneapolis Convention Center of this annual event. This event will be a community based effort in honoring the legacy of Dr King. Keynote Speaker: Michele Norris. This year’s event will also feature musical entertainment by Grammy award winning Sounds of Blackness and a special collaborative performance by Threads Dance Project and Vocalessence. More information here. 
• Joint Religious Legislative Coalition: 2025 Day on the Hill Thursday, February 27th, 2025. The morning session will be held at Central Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul, followed by a rally in the Capitol rotunda. Our focus for 2025’s Day on the Hill is Women, Children, and Families. We are so excited to gather with you to advocate for women, children, and families living in poverty and bring JRLC’s unique voice to the Minnesota State Capitol. Registration for this event will open later this month. In the meantime, please mark your calendars! We hope to see you there!
• Culture of Encounter Ideas Festival April 6-12th, 2025. In partnership with the Minnesota Multifaith Network, the Jay Phillips Center is pleased to host the 2025 Culture of Encounter Ideas Festival, April 6-12, 2025, at the University of St. Thomas, which brings together community members, students, Minnesotans, global thinkers, and cultural enthusiasts to engage diverse perspectives, foster cross-cultural dialogue, and build leadership for the common public goods. Click here view the schedule or to propose a session!