“What we would like to do is change the world — make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as God intended them to do. And, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute — the rights of the worthy and the unworthy poor, in other words — we can, to a certain extent, change the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace in a harried world. We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its ever widening circle will reach around the world. We repeat, there is nothing we can do but love, and, dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy as our friend.” — Dorothy Day
Partner Events
Luther Seminary's 2024 Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation: Science, Truth, and Christian Faith in a Time of Eco-Crisis
Tuesday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, 1490 Fulham Street, St. Paul, MN 55108 or Online
Please join Luther Seminary for an exploration of faith and creation with Rick Lindroth, professor emeritus of ecology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. This event is free and open to the public. The ecological polycrisis confronting the world today is unparalleled in human history and threatens to unravel, within decades, the very fabric of civilization. Long battered by the “dominion” theology of Christianity, the global environment has suffered further in recent decades because of entrapment in a vortex of science denialism, political polarization, and cultural tribalism. As a faith system committed to truth, hope, and unity across cultural divides, Christianity also provides a path forward. Rick Lindroth argues for a re-wilding of the Christian ethic of creation care—one that promotes enchantment, connection, reciprocity, and justice—for the betterment of humanity and flourishing of the living world.
Reell Office of Seeing Things Whole's Community Practice Cohort Roundtables
Tuesday, February 27 and March 26, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, Augsburg University
Join us to serve as a temporary trustee for our inaugural Community Practice Cohort. Trustees provide care, wisdom and perspectives, but not solutions to our cohort members. One cohort member will present during each of the Roundtables. The individuals will bring a challenge for the group to explore using the Seeing Things Whole Threefold Model to understand a “whole” way forward. Advice is not given, but questions are asked as the group supports the individual to discover the many dimensions of the challenge.
Sunday, March 3 · 2 - 4:30pm, Turkish American Society of Minnesota (TASMN) 6565 Oakley Drive Northeast Fridley, MN 55432, registration $35
Welcome back to the second season of our popular Turkic Cooking Classes, where we invite you to embark on another exciting gastronomic adventure through the diverse and delectable cuisines of the Turkic world!
February 29, March 14 & 28, 12:30 - 3:00 pm, Progressive Baptist Church, 1505 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55106 (or you can call 651-222-5863 starting at 12:30 pm)
Interfaith Action's PowerUp program provides free legal assistance and practical educational opportunities and resources that help people build economic mobility. Our free legal clinic is available twice every month (on Thursday afternoons).
Augsburg University's Interfaith Spring Symposium: Building Trust in Divisive Times
Thursday, March 7, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm, Foss Center in theHoversten Chapel, Augsburg University, 2211 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
2024 Interfaith Spring Symposium: Building Trust in Divisive Times, Thursday,March 7, 2024 at 11 a.m., Foss Center in the Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg University 625 22nd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55454 The 2024 Interfaith Symposium Host Committee invites you to join us for the second annual Interfaith Spring Symposium. This event convenes a group of leaders, philanthropists, and citizens interested in interfaith peacebuilding and partnership.Hear from an inspiring keynote speaker, Manu Meel from BridgeUSA. Then join us for a special luncheon and panel discussion featuring exceptional leaders in the community.
An Introduction to Islam and Muslims Presented by John Emery of Islamic Resource Group
Thursday, March 7, 7:00 pm, St. Peter Community Center, 600 S 5th St, Room 219 aka Senior Ctr, St Peter, MN 56082
Learning and conversation with the Islamic Resource Group and friends of the Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council. All are welcome! Free welcome meal at 6pm, presentation with Q&A at 7pm What does Islam teach? What do Muslims practice? Differences between religion and culture. Terminology. Demographics. Beliefs and practices of Muslims including important religious celebrations. An excellent opportunity to dialogue with St. Peter neighbors who practice Islam, to increase understanding, build awareness, ask questions, and make new connections.
Multiple dates during Ramadan. In 2024 Ramadan falls between March 10 and April 9. Locations throughout the state. Additional sites will be added to the registration list as the information becomes available
Taking Heart is a long-running program coordinated by Minnesota Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota (MAS-MN) to bring Christians and members of other faith communities together with Muslims for food and conversation during Ramadan.
Ramadan is a blessed month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “five pillars” of Islam and is performed to learn piety, self-restraint, compassion, and generosity.
Iftars will include opening remarks and welcome with a recitation of the Quran and the call to prayer; a presentation on Islam and Ramadan and its customs; breakout groups where a number of topics can be discussed.
Tuesday, March 12, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (specific times TBD) | Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light will be participating in this year's Rally & Lobby Day in partnership with Rise & Repair. This is the biggest day of the year when it comes to pushing for Indigenous Rights and climate justice during this upcoming Legislative Session! We need you there! The event will include training, visits with legislators, a march, and a rally in the rotunda to advance the movement around Indigenous rights and climate justice.
Jay Phillips Center's Zen Buddhist Insights for Self-Awareness, Mental Health, and Wellness, Presented by Busshō Lahn
Tuesday, March 19, 12:00 - 1:10 pm, Iverson Center for Faith, Schoenecker Multipurpose Room C (LL16C) University of St. Thomas, St. Paul campus
The benefits of meditative practices have been intuited for millennia, but now science has clearly observed the connection between mental wellness and curious self-awareness. The practice of mindfulness is now mainstream, and we're beginning to ask deeper questions about what it really is, and about what it might be able to show us: What is the relationship between our mental health and our spirituality? What do words like compassion and wisdom mean for me in this age of anxiety? How are qualities like resiliency, courage, clarity, and kindness made available to us? In this program, Busshō Lahn draws upon insights from the Zen Buddhist tradition to address possible approaches to these questions based on his new book, Singing and Dancing Are the Voice of the Law (2022).
2024 Mahle Lecture Series: Interreligious Peacebuilding Through Study
Tuesday, April 16, 5:00 - 9:00 pm, Kay Fredericks Room, 1537 West Taylor Avenue 3rd Floor of Klas Center Saint Paul, MN 55104
Let's learn together how to bring diverse views together through respectful, rich, and non-reductive thought, practice, and pedagogy. Reach out to University Chaplain Kelly Figueroa Ray if you have questions.
Schedule:
5:00pm: Doors open
5:15pm: Gathering and introductions
5:30pm: Scriptural Reasoning Workshop, led by Dr. Peter Ochs and leaders in the Society of Scriptural Reasoning
6:45pm: Dinner for workshop participants
7:30pm: Keynote Lecture: "The Promise of Scriptural Reasoning" with Dr. David Ford, one of the founders of the Scriptural Reasoning Practice
Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council's Festival of Nations
Saturday, May 18, 1:00 - 7:00 pm, 400 Union St, St Peter, MN 56082
Save the date for the 2nd Annual St. Peter Festival of Nations! Brought to you by the Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council and community partners. Johnson Hall and Nicollet County Fairgrounds for both indoor and outdoor festivities. All are welcome, always. Stay tuned for all the details, performances, foods, arts, music, vendors, international fair, and more!
Duluth Lyceum is back at the Duluth Folk School on February 22nd, 2024 from 6:00-7:30pm. Join us to delve into this month's topic of "Reimagining Community Life in a New Generation." If you live outside of the Duluth area you are welcome to attend and bring perspectives from your community on this important topic! Community life is lower than it has been in over a half century and going down. We often complain of a lack of community in our lives, but are there ways we are proactively addressing our lack of connection? This month’s conversation will explore the reasons for community decline. What are the obstacles, social or personal, that make community life difficult in our time, and how can we overcome them? This month we will hear from those on the forefront of the challenge to engage community and we will have the chance to talk about how it could change for the better.
Please join the Christians Against Christian Nationalism Minnesota Organizing Project for their second meeting of the year on February 22 from 6:30-8:00pm. Held online via Zoom, this meeting is for Minnesota Christians who believe that Christian nationalism is a threat to both Christianity and democracy. The Minnesota Organizing Project was formed to determine ways to stand up and guard against Christian nationalism in Minnesota and the country.
Music & Mindfulness Series Minnesota Orchestra and the Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, UofM, In-person at Minnesota Orchestra Hall, from 7 to 8 p.m. $20 suggested registration fee, sliding scale pricing available. Attend one or all three sessions: February 22, April 18, May 9 The Music and Mindfulness series explores the intersection of music and mindfulness while allowing audience members to experience performances by Minnesota Orchestra musicians in an intimate and engaging setting. This year, each evening of the series will highlight one of the foundational aspects of mindfulness: intention, attention and attitude. The interplay of music and mindfulness will be explored through Orchestra performances, informative presentations, brief guided meditations and discussion. Both music and mindfulness have been demonstrated to enhance wellbeing. The two are combined throughout this series to support audiences and performers alike in deepening their personal wellbeing and their appreciation of music.
MICAH 2024 Policy Breakfasts and Luncheon- Meetings via Zoom Register in advance, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Talking Sense Workshop February 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Valley Creek Rooms at Central Park in Woodbury, MNDuring what promises to be a divisive election year, MPR News and the nonprofit organization Braver Angels are partnering to create Talking Sense, an online and in-person platform to help Minnesotans have hard conversations better. This event will be an opportunity for participants from both sides of the political spectrum to explore how polarization is affecting our communities and our families. Participants can expect an interactive workshop that combines large-and-small group discussions about political polarization, its sources and what can be done about it. Sign up here.
Race Equity Now: Strategies for Access & Success February 29, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, Bethel University; Olson Boardroom Join Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP) and Bethel University for a FREE event to increase access and success for students of color and Indigenous students in higher education. This event is a must-attend for higher education leaders, staff, faculty, DEI leaders, students, and advocates of racial equity. Participants will have the opportunity to network, collaborate, and exchange ideas and effective strategies for building more racially just college campuses. Register here.
Interfaith Trialogue about Recentering our Common Humanity Against ConflictSunday, March 3rd, at 2pm United Religions Initiative (URI) invites MnMN members to join The Interfaith Center at Miami University and the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council. As tensions continue to escalate around the globe in response to the war in Gaza, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents have reached alarmingly high rates in North America. As an national interfaith community, this reality calls us to reflect upon how we can remain in relationship with one another, and maintain recognition of our common humanity, even when it feels like our lives are under attack. We invite you to join us in an honest and open dialogue that considers how the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths might guide us toward a path of reconciliation in our relationships with one another and the way we interact in the world.. The event will be featured live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pq08p9H2y0IrqtVyAUUWQ
This is the Minnesota Saints Chorale and Orchestra’s 11th year performing Lamb of God, Easter Oratorio. March 15th & 16th, 7:30 pm, Benson Great Hall, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112. Learn more and buy tickets here!
Mark Your Calendars
On April 13, Minnesota Women’s Press will be commemorating "39 Years of Voice & Vision" and honoring the rich legacy of the country's longest running feminist publication through inspiring stories, diverse voices, and collaborative vision alongside its community partners. Learn more: tinyurl.com/mwp39years
2024 Spring Mahle Lecture Series on the theme of Interreligious Peacebuilding Through Study: The Promise of Scriptural ReasoningTuesday, April 16th, Wesley Center at Hamline University Gathering at 5:15pm, a Scriptural Reasoning workshop at 5:30pm, followed by dinner with kosher/halal options, and a keynote lecture by the Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at the University of Cambridge, Dr. David F. Ford, beginning at 7:30pm. To reserve a space, at no charge, please order your virtual tickets through Eventbrite at this link.
2024 Annual Summit: Rebuilding Community- Developing Alternative Ways to Resolve Conflict Mediation and Restorative Services (MARS) is excited to present timely topics in conflict resolution, mediation, and restorative practice, industry-leading speakers, stellar networking opportunities, broaden your horizon by collecting and sharing information, cultivate and catalyze sustained learning for professional development and CLE opportunities. April 25, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids. Learn more. Register here.
People Camp is a unique, one week, intergenerational community living experience run by Friends for a Nonviolent World and open to all. Early Bird registration goes until 5/31! Sign up now to receive up to $40 off each registration.August 11-17, Northern Pines Retreat Center, Park Rapids, MN
Opportunities & Resources
At the end of this month, Interfaith Action will launch Faithful Hospitality, an initiative to provide mobile shelter to help Hennepin County shelters deal with an overflow of families experiencing homelessness. Houses of worship will offer shelter, as they did prior to the pandemic, as well as volunteers to help guests feel safe and welcome. In addition, Interfaith Action will collaborate with community partners to provide supportive legal, housing, and employment services to families in Faithful Hospitality shelters. The initiative, supported by the State of Minnesota, is designed to alleviate capacity challenges in shelters, decrease costs of serving families experiencing homelessness, and empower interfaith partners to live out their faith values.
We are looking for overnight shelter host volunteers to provide warmth and hospitality to guests.Project Home, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. Overnight hosts are on duty 7pm-7am weekdays and 7pm-8am weekends. Details and shareable resources can be found on our website: https://interfaithaction.org/what-we-do/projecthome/faithful-hospitality. Ready to sign up? Please fill out our volunteer form HERE.
North Star Act "As a volunteer community engagement & legislative organizer with the North Star Alliance, after meeting last night with a group at the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, I'm jazzed about sharing this "easy ask" from Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) and the North Star Act (NSA), with other organizers and congregations. This letter affirms Minnesota's spirit of Love: https://secure.everyaction.com/1PcrHI38_Uq1RZBcHYyFHw2. Please feel free to share, and if you'd like one of us from the NSA (https://www.northstaract.org) to come speak with folks in your congregation(s) about making Minnesota safer for immigrants and for everyone, lmk!" Karen Wills (she/her), MUUSJA Democracy Strategist
In the News
‘These are vulnerable communities’: Backlog of asylum seekers affects Minnesota agencies, families,Sahan Journal, by Hibah Ansari, A panel event hosted by Sahan Journal and MPR News examined the challenges to legal aid and other agencies—and to those navigating the immigration system. Read a recap of the event.
Contact Can Change Us, by Brian Carwana, Religiongeeks, Psychologists find that contact with people from other groups works to undermine stereotyping...although not always. Most contact forms bonds of understanding but negative forms of contact can actually reinforce negative views of others. In today's blog, we discuss Contact Theory which has enormous implications for workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods while showing the steps we can take to foster a better environment for all.READ MORE
Facts About Athiests, Pew Research Center, February 7, 2024, Atheists make up 4% of U.S. adults, according to our 2023 National Public Opinion Reference Survey. That compares with 3% who described themselves as atheists in 2014 and 2% who did so in 2007. Here are some key facts about atheists in the United States and around the world, based on several Pew Research Center surveys. READ MORE
Submissions to the Newsletter
All are welcome to submit events and news for inclusion in our newsletter. To make a submission, please email us. Submissions for the next newsletter are due Friday, March 1. MnMN Organizational Partners and Individual Members have first priority. If you are not yet an Organizational Partner or Individual Member, we encourage you to join us!
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