A Note from Rev. Dr. Tom Duke
Hans Kung, Catholic priest and theologian, famously wrote, “There will be no peace among nations without peace among the religions…”.
In our globalized world what’s true internationally is likely mirrored locally and vice versa. Current and continuing tensions are surfacing in acts of harassment and violence, along with ever-present systemic injustice. All this is here in Minnesota and reflects a more general hesitancy to cross boundaries, to risk building new relationships, to repair historic wrongs and go deep in exploring common values. Increased demographic pluralism is fact. Pluralism of intention and positive effort to build relationships across differences can be challenging and feel uncomfortable, even threatening to dearly held customs and values. It can also, and more often, be delightful and inspiring. In communities across Minnesota brave and committed people who orient differently to religion are stepping up to build intentional relationships of respect and understanding as a basis for facing differences, identifying commonalities and righting wrongs. People in Woodbury are reaching out to each other; Willmar has an interfaith council and Eden Prairie an interfaith circle. In Duluth, faith leaders work with the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Secular human rights, anti-racism and climate advocates are partnering with faith-based groups to increase impact. Many more examples of community building are happening.
MnMN exists to support grass-roots interfaith relationship building and organizations that cooperate to alleviate suffering and advocate for justice. Communities of practice and continuing relationship building help leaders learn from each other and form new and stronger cooperative work. We invite you to connect and be part of the broader network of multifaith communication, connection and cooperation. Are you connected with an interfaith group or looking for one, or just want news of such work and relationships? Join here to be in the loop with your interests, information, resources, requests.
Blessings. See you in the network.
Tom Duke, Ph.D.
Clergy (ret.), Lutheran/ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
Member, MnMN Network Council and Operations Team
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Why Interfaith Work is Important
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One Minute of Wonder with Rabbi Mark Diamond:
What Makes a Successful Interfaith Dialogue?
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Rabbi Mark S. Diamond is Senior Lecturer in Jewish Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Professor of Practical Rabbinics at the Academy for Jewish Religion California, and coeditor of Understanding Covenants and Communities: Jews and Latter-day Saints in Dialogue (see book featured below). In this video, he discusses how interfaith dialogue needs to confront differences.
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Minnesota Multifaith Speakers Network
Would your business, community group, congregation, school, or group of friends benefit from a presentation and conversation with a member of the Minnesota Multifaith Speakers Network (MMSN)? If so, please connect with Cynthia Bronson Sweigert to discuss possibilities. This multifaith group is ready to teach digitally on the platform of your choice.
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Climate Justice & Racial Justice Webinar
April 6, 7:00pm--8:00pm
More Info & Registration
Join a vital conversation about how and why climate justice depends on addressing racial justice. Guest speakers will discuss the historical intertwining of racism, policing, and climate damage. They will also make connections to Minnesota’s current context amidst the trial of Derek Chauvin.
Event Sponsor: Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
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Jeannine Hill Fletcher Lectures on Christian Supremacy and Racism
April 7, 14, 21, 24 & 25
More Information
Jeannine Hill Fletcher is author of "The Sin of White Supremacy—Christianity, Racism and Religious Diversity in America" and a professor at Fordham University. This Didier Seminar Series from House of Hope Presbyterian Church will offer lectures, lectures with discussion, and adult enrichment opportunities.
Event Sponsor: House of Hope Presbyterian Church
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Modern Racial Categories, American Slave Societies, and the Integration of African Religious Practices into Christianity
April 13, 11:45am - 12:45pm
More Info, Registration and Zoom Link
Dr. Katharine Gerbner Ph.D., author of Christian Slavery: Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World, will give a brief presentation on the origins of modern racial categories, the role of missionaries in creating American slave societies, and the integration of African religious practices into Christianity. Then Dominique Stewart, student at the University of St. Thomas, will interview her. Join them for a great conversation.
Event Sponsors: Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas, Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John's University and Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota
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Who Are We?
Christian nationalism, white supremacy and pathways of liberation
April 15, 11:15am - 12:45pm
More Information
Unpack what happened on January 6, 2021, the day of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, against the larger movements of history, religious traditions and injustice. Listen to Hamline University's 2021 Mahle Panel in Progressive Christian Thought.
Event Sponsor: Hamline University
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The Goodman Lecture:
A conversation with two local rabbis
April 29, 7:00pm | RSVP early
Event Registration
You are invited to a free virtual event on Thursday, April 29th at 7:00pm featuring UC Berkley professor and author Daniel Boyarin in conversation with two local rabbis: Marcia Zimmerman from Temple Israel (Minneapolis) and Adam Stock Spilker from Mt. Zion Temple (St. Paul). The topic will be "Bad Faith: Why the Jews Aren't a Religion." This event will be online and is free and open to the public. ASL interpretation service will be provided. RSVP by 3:00pm on April 27 to receive the Zoom link the day before the event. The Goodman Lecture is an endowed lecture with a mission of strengthening Jewish-Christian understanding. Note: Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker is a current board member of Minnesota Multifaith Network.
Event Sponsor: St. Catherine University
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Cultivating Fear:
Anti-Muslim bias in the media and society
April 6, 4:30pm (CST)
More Info & Registration
Join a panel discussion with Muslim journalists, advocates, and researchers discussing their religious identity and how it intersects with their work, communities, and personal lives.
Event Sponsor: American University School of Communication
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Healing Our City:
A virtual prayer tent for Minneapolis
Daily: 8:00am
More Info & Zoom Link
This 20-minute experience begins at 8:00am on Zoom and Facebook Live. Each day includes a reflection by a different religious/spiritual leader and is followed by a period of 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silent prayer/meditation. This virtual prayer tent includes people of all faiths, denominations, races, and orientations.
Event Sponsor: The Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement
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Protest Music:
Songs in action
April 13, 6:00pm
More Info & Registration
Featuring musicians Holly Near, Reggie Harris, and Matt Watroba this three-way conversation/musical sharing will motivate, inspire, and challenge.
Event Sponsor: Living Legacy Project: Civil rights pilgrimages and experiences
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Visual Prayer:
A virtual interfaith art exhibit
Open through April 30th
Get Started
Connect through art, healing, and spirituality at your own pace. There are links for the exhibit, blessings, meditations, passages, petitions, songs of the earth, teachings, an interfaith prayer wall, and an interfaith artist circle with workshops.
Presented by: University of Minnesota Libraries, Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas, Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John's University, and Interfaith Artist Circle
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World Religions Discovery Week
May 2-7
Cost: $375; group pricing available
More Info
The Encounter World Religions Centre is offering a special online introduction to five of the world’s religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and First Nations. Enjoy meaningful conversations and an opportunity to hear from faith guides who will discuss the practices, rituals and beliefs that shape each faith, and answer your questions.
Event Sponsor: Encounter World Religions Centre
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Language Matters:
How to talk about Native nations
May 12, 3:30pm
Watch on Facebook Live
Do you ever feel hesitant when searching for the right language to use to talk about Indian Country? Do you wonder if it's best to say Native American, Indigenous, or American Indian; if it is ok to even use the term Indian Country; or what name is best when referring to a specific Native nation? This event will provide attendees with an overview of terminology related to Native nations.
Event Sponsor: Native Governance Center
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Unheard Stories:
Asian Americans experiencing hate
Recorded Video Link
Watch a recording of this event, with Rep. Ilhan Omar, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.
From Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL)
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Bystander Intervention:
To stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment
April 13, 6:00pm | Register Here
April 19, 3:00pm | Register Here
A virtual workshop for learning how to intervene effectively as a bystander without compromising your safety.
From Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and Hollaback!
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Racism Unveiled
A digital storytelling project about racism and how to stop it.
From Twin Cities PBS Originals
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How to Fight Racism
Listen to a recording of Kerri Miller's MPR show from March 5th. She spoke with Jemar Tisby, an historian, author and speaker. Hear practical steps needed to make real change, as well as ways faith communities can do more than simply discuss urgent questions about racism.
Podcast Link | From: MPR News
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Information for faith communities
Important links and phone numbers for keeping faith communities safe as the trial of Derek Chauvin continues.
From Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul
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One church’s path towards reparations: donating its property tax equivalent to Black- and Indigenous-lead organizations
A step toward reparations.
From Healing Minnesota Stories
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Jesuits pledge $100 million for descendants of people their order enslaved
An important pledge of atonement.
From Religion News Service
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Asian Americans experience 'far more' hate incidents than numbers indicate
Asian Americans across the country are scared and concerned.
From NPR/MPR News
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Asian Americans top target for threats and harassment during pandemic
Asian Americans being targeted by threats and harassment at high levels during the pandemic.
From The Conversation
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The United Religions Initiative of North America condemns the acts of March 16
A statement about the attack in Atlanta that killed eight people and injured others.
From United Religions Initiative (MnMN is a member)
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Statement from Religions for Peace International about anti-Asian American rhetoric and violence
Religions for Peace USA envisions a nation in which people of faith and goodwill live together in respect and mutual support, creating paths to peace and justice.
From Religions for Peace International
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Just Deeds Project pushing out racist language
Golden Valley officials are working to eliminate racial covenants.
From the StarTribune
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What is a hate crime?
The narrow legal definition makes it hard to charge and convict.
From The Conversation
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Hate Crimes Reform Bill
Watch a recorded press conference about a proposed hate crimes reform bill in Minnesota.
From Communities Combating Hate
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Fazlun Khalid shows how environmentalism is intrinsic to Islam
"The pandemic is waking us up to our relationship with the environment, to our inseparability from it—to the fact that the separation we maintain is a dubious concept."
From Religion Unplugged
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Muslim groups mourn and raise money for Colorado shooting victims
“Our hearts are heavy as we stand with the survivors of violence. We will continue to remember and grieve for the innocent victims of this horrific and senseless crime,” the statement read.
From Religion News Service
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Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Iraq improves relations with Muslims
"Christians and Muslims will look back at this papacy as a turning point in their relationship."
From Religion News Service
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