2024 CONFERENCE: A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING (old)

MnMN 5th Annual Conference

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Hindu Society of Minnesota’s Temple

11:00am; 12:30 - 7pm

A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING

The Role of the Multifaith Community  in Minnesota

in Times of Division, Distrust & Trauma

Whatever the outcome of Election Day 2024, the Minnesota Multifaith Network believes that the work of healing and building just communities is needed now more than ever. We gather for this conference acutely aware of many of the deep divisions being experienced today. We know those divisions are creating pervasive distrust and causing great trauma. In the midst of such painful realities, we believe that within our various religious and spiritual communities lies wisdom, experiences, and practices that can contribute to healing and the work of justice. In our day together we not only will name the realities of our divisions but share and experience ways that healing and justice might be our shared commitment and work. This time together is an opportunity for self-critical reflection, sharing best practices, and learning from one another and the wisdom of our traditions. We will lift up and listen to the voices of those who are ‘othered’ and marginalized as we build bridges, relationships, and community - weaving together a shared cry for justice and sharing in the work of healing.

FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS

SIMRAN JEET SINGH, PH.D.


Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is Assistant Professor of Interreligious Histories at the historic Union Theological Seminary and national bestselling author of The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life. He is Senior Advisor for the Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Program and also hosts Wisdom & Practice, a new podcast by The Aspen Institute and PRX.

Simran has spoken to audiences at various venues, including the mainstage at SXSW in Austin, Texas, Stanford University’s commencement ceremonies, and Fortune 500 companies around the globe. He is an Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity with Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, and a Senior Fellow for the Sikh Coalition. 


Simran earned graduate degrees from Harvard University and Columbia University, and an undergraduate degree from Trinity University. He writes regularly for various outlets, including TIME Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and Religion News Service. 


Simran authored the award-winning children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon (Kokila, Penguin Random House), and his next children’s book—a celebration of migration, home, and new beginnings—comes out this spring. 


Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Simran now lives in New York City with his wife and two daughters, where he enjoys running, writing, and chasing his kids.


AGENDA

BANANA LEAF MEAL

Having a meal on a banana leaf has been an age-old custom in some parts of India, dating back as far as 2000 BC. Not only are banana leaf ‘plates' biodegradable and economical, but they aid in digestion due to their natural enzymes and contain vitamins to promote overall health. The tradition of families coming together to have a feast on a banana leaf during festive occasions is still seen today. Spiritually, the banana plant is said to bring prosperity and immense luck, as explained in ancient Hindu scriptures.

THE HINDU TEMPLE OF MINNESOTA

The Hindu Temple of Minnesota, built in 2006, provides religious, spiritual, educational, social, and cultural activities for more than 55,000 Hindu-Minnesotans. The building’s architecture is astounding, with twenty-one smaller temples within the large prayer hall, each a replica of famous temples in India and each dedicated to various manifestations of the divine consciousness. Sculptors, with trade skills passed on for generations, have hand-crafted beautiful pieces of art that adorn the tall Gopuram. A devotee or visitor, will pray in a large sunlit temple hall, listen to priests chant mantras thousands of years old, and smell burning incense and strings of fresh flowers. 

FAITH IN ELECTIONS PLAYBOOK

During this time of division and mistrust, elections are a difficult topic for many of us. But now more than ever it is important to support free and fair elections. For that reason, Interfaith America has created this resource:


"The Faith in Elections Playbook supports faith-based, civic and campus communities with accessible, actionable resources to support the 2024 election. This playbook is designed to make it easier for faith and community leaders to join work that is already happening across America to help the 2024 elections run smoothly, so that all eligible voters can access a ballot and every valid vote is counted."


You can find The Faith in Elections Playbook here for a variety of ways to get engaged.

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