Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council

Drawing on the already existing network structure of MnMN, Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council (ELMAC) is comprised of young leaders in different faith communities and communities of no faith. This structure allows for multifaith conversations related to pressing issues and creates a space in which beliefs can be shared safely.

Generation Z and Millennials meet once per month to collaborate on potential solutions to the major issues facing their generation. ELMAC is a space for young Minnesota leaders to develop their views of the world while forming a supportive network. All under 35 are welcome to join. 

Please fill out this form to indicate your interest.

Minnesota Multifaith Speakers Network  Coordinators: Cynthia Bronson-Sweigert, MnMN volunteer; Sally Abrams, JCRC: Tamim Saidi, IRG

Multifaith Leadership Seminar at the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies  Coordinators: Ali Chamseddine, University of St. Thomas; Hans Gustafson, Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies, U St Thomas; Jen Kilps, MnMN;  Pooja Bastodkar, MnMN/MN Hindu Society; Danielle Clausnitzer, MnMN/Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality

TRUE Tuesday Partnership  MnMN is a partner along with Minnesota Council on Foundations, Minnesota Humanities Center, U of M Extension Center for Community Vitality, Region Five Development Commission, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Northspan, St. James Uniting Cultures, 100 Rural Women, Independent Community Members, and Blandin Foundation–addressing “Transforming Rural Understanding of Equity”

Higher Education Interfaith Faculty, Staff, Chaplains  Coordinators: Hans Gustafson, Jay Phillips Center; Deanna Thompson; St. Olaf; Andrew Tix, Normandale Community College; Matthew Maruggi, Augsburg University; Marty Stortz, Augsburg

Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community at St. Olaf College  Interns doing communications about interfaith work in MN; Coordinators: Deanna Thompson, Director of the Lutheran Center; Peter Schattauer, Associate Director

Augsburg Interfaith Institute  Ongoing collaboration with Director Prof. Najeeba Sayeed particularly on July 20, 2023 event Coordinating a Multifaith Response to Hate Based Discrimination and Violence in Minnesota see Report.

5th Annual Conference: A Call of Justice and Healing: The Role of the Multifaith Community in Minnesota in Times of Division, Distrust & Trauma

Minnesota Hindu Society’s Temple: November, 14, 2024

MnMN gathered for its 5th Annual Convening, A Call of Justice and Healing: he Role of the Multifaith Community in Minnesota in Times of Division, Distrust & Trauma, where voices from Minnesota’s interfaith community came together to share insights on bridging divides and fostering trust.

Together, we explored how our diverse backgrounds can unite us in the face of trauma. Powerful discussions unfolded as community leaders and faith representatives shared personal stories of resilience. By engaging in dialogue, we affirmed our commitment to healing and justice, recognizing the shared responsibility we have to support one another. 

Inspiring panels and workshops encouraged attendees to take actionable steps toward social justice. Together, we brainstormed initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of division and distrust, empowering individuals to be catalysts for positive change.

As the conference came to a close, we left with renewed hope and determination. The multifaith community is poised to play a crucial role in fostering understanding and healing in Minnesota. Let’s carry this momentum forward and continue to work together for justice and peace.MnMN Conferences are focused on relationship and community building. 

Senior Faith Leaders Brunch

Minnesota Hindu Society’s Temple: November, 14, 2024

Nineteen senior faith leaders (recognized, influential, official) from fifteen  faith traditions met for a special brunch with MnMN staff and guest Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, Senior Advisor to the Aspen Institutes Religion and Society Program and Professor at Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University. The group  addressed the question: “As you reflect on the election and its context, what do you see as implications for you, your leadership, your faith community and multifaith leaders together?” Responses included a wide range of views from Native American observations about hundreds of years of domination and deprivation to the impact of the war in Gaza, false binaries leading to anti-semitism, the need for bridge-building and serving the poor, and how to be peacemakers and  work with divided faith communities. Some ideas were expressed about how this group could connect and cooperate with State government officials. Followup meetings will be arranged and plans developed.

Initial Re-Meeting of the Rochester Interfaith Group

Rochester, MN; September 19, 2024

Jen Kilps, Tom Duke and Lee Burdge from MnMN traveled to Rochester to help bring together faith leaders from different religious traditions in the Rochester area. Over twenty persons attended representing at least nine different traditions. The meeting's purpose was to renew existing, and initiate new, interfaith relationships, review the history and current landscape of interfaith relationships and work in the area, and brainstorm what goals and activities might be appropriate in the present situation. The gathering was sponsored by a small group of volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Rochester Muslim Community Circle, in cooperation with the Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN). The meeting included persons from Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baha’i and Unitarian Universalist traditions.  

Visit to Watt Munistorium Buddhist Monastery - MnMN Board and Network Council

Watt Munistorium, Hampton MN; August 29, 2024

As part of MnMN's mission to connect and communication, the Board Development Committee offers a series of opportunities to visit religious communities in the Greater MN Area. We visited the Cambodian Buddhist campus in Hampton MN, had a guided tour by one the monks who lives there and shared in relationship building together while learning about this fascinating tradition.

Interfaith Collaboration Opportunities with Mental Health Connect, MnMN and Allina Spiritual Care

Allina Spiritual Care, St. Paul;  August 14, 2024

Convened a meeting among Mental Health Connect, MnMN, and Spiritual Care Allina to discuss and envision how a collaboration will look and feel, and what we can present to the local community. Maybe we could have something ready by October 10th, which is World Mental Health Day. CHIP Community Mental Wellbeing action team for Hennepin County agreed to sponsor and present at the annual conference.

Senior Faith Leaders Convening

All Nations Indian Church; July 17, 2024

Seventeen senior faith and spiritual leaders from fourteen different traditions were convened by the Minnesota Multifaith Network to build relationships, share challenges they and their communities are facing and explore what wisdom their traditions bring to the challenges and what they might do together to address them. The wisdom from Native American traditions  centers the importance of holding up the reality of all being related, everything and everyone, expressed in their tradition as “all my relatives” (in Dakota/Lakota: Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ), a way of living that all could reflect. The discussions emphasized the importance of truth-telling and faith communities’ important role in advancing discernment of truth. Participants said the interfaith movement should be seen as a civic good with exploration of partnerships in the work of healing, truth-telling, and modeling healthy relating across differences. Everything differing groups can do together, they should do together. Even individually, praying for and holding others in respect and care Is something all faith communities can do and model. We need to learn what we have in common. As a saying goes, “If we don’t know what we have in common, our differences will divide us; if we do know what we have in common, our differences can enrich us.”

UN Day of Living Together in Peace (IDLTP)

Casperson Park in Lakeville; May 11, 2024

Over 500 people attended Lakeville's fourth annual celebration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace on May 11th at Casperson Park. The recently renovated park, which now includes an outdoor amphitheater, was the perfect location for the 40+ community organizations to connect with the community through booths, activities and performances. Luke Hellier, the mayor of Lakeville kicked off the event and thanked the organizing and financial sponsors: AISA ONG, Lakeville Rotary, JustServe and MnMN. The International Day of Living Together in Peace was approved by the United Nations in 2017 and has been celebrated in only a handful of cities in the United States. To learn more about the event go to <https://aisa-ong.org/en/>.

Senior Faith Leaders Convening - Initial Small Group Meeting

Zoom; February 29, 2024

Initial meeting of a small group of Minnesota’s senior faith leaders for introductions and relationship building. Also with the goal to gauge further interest in convening which was very positive and productive. This meeting set the groundwork for our July 17th Convening and what would become the basis for our November 14th, 2024 5th Annual Conference.

Building Trust in Divisive Times - Augsburg Interfaith Institute 2nd Annual Symposium,

Augsburg University; March 7, 2024

Panel: Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, Mount Zion Temple, MnMN Board Member; Martha Stortz, professor emerita of religion at Augsburg, MnMN Board Member; and Joffrey Wilson, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Mortenson Construction.

“Multifaith Leadership and Engagement in a Fractured World”

St. Olaf College; March 3, 2024

In partnership with Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies and in collaboration with the Lutheran Center, St. Olaf College and the Augsburg Interfaith Institute

This third annual interfaith leadership workshop sponsored by MnMN and the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas, we welcomed keynote dialogue speakers Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva, Rabbi Herman Schaalman Chair in Jewish Studies, InterReligious Institute Senior Faculty Fellow at Chicago Theological Seminary and Professor. Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed Chair, Professor/Executive Director of the Augsburg University Interfaith Institute. This free daylong workshop held at St. Olaf College allowed participants to explore what it means to engage across religious differences in a time of heightened fracturing globally and locally. Attendees learned from practitioners, scholars, and leaders about developing skills to cultivate connection through storytelling, deepen understanding of how trauma impacts engaging with religious and spiritual practices, approach challenging conversations in person and online, and to develop greater self-awareness for leadership in religiously diverse societies.

A Silent Vigil for Peace December 30, 2023 Stone arch Bridge in Minneapolis

This vigil was a solemn moment for those gathered to reflect on pain and on what continues to be grave human tragedy. It offered a light of hope as a statement that Minnesota has no place for anti-Jewish or anti-Muslim bias and hate. It was an active expression of unity and solidarity for the sacredness of all human life. Bridges are symbolic of many things: connection, journeys, union, transition, understanding. Here is a clip our journey and some words of participants who met and walked together across the bridge in silence as the cold waters of the Mississippi flowed beneath.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Monday, November 20 @ 7 pm @ Temple of Aaron Synagogue

616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55116

All are welcome!  Co-sponsored by MnMN, Temple of Aaron Synagogue and Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul, Temple of Aaron Synagogue hosted an Interfaith Service of Community Empowerment. The theme of community empowerment comes from the hope that, in the words of Rabbi Rubenstein, “through our gratitude, communal connection and common values, we can craft a strong, united and loving Saint Paul community.”  The event was a huge success with over 200 in atttendance.

MnMN's 4th Annual Conference -  A Place of Welcome:  A Multifaith Gathering on Practicing Hospitality in Minnesota

NOV 9 2023; 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St Paul

This year’s MnMN Convening invites us to consider the concept of hospitality and what that means for our faith and secular communities throughout the state of Minnesota. 

During this convening, leaders and practitioners of Minnesota’s diverse religious communities, interfaith leaders, and young people will gather to discuss and celebrate how different religious and belief traditions practice hospitality.  

As a "keynote experince" this event will culminate in a Langar meal prepared and served by the Sikh Society of Minnesota. “The Langar is a hallmark of the Sikh faith.  It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, color, creed, age, gender, or social status; to eliminate the extreme poverty in the world, and to bring about the birth of "caring communities". In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and oneness of all humankind. "..the Light of God is in all hearts."  It is this act of seva, or selfless service, which distinguishes Langar as an unparalleled act of hospitality practiced around the world.

True Tuesdays Convening - Coordinating a Multifaith Response to Hate Based Discrimination and Violence in MN

SEPT 19, 2023; 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm; Zoom

Hosted by Minnesota Humanities Center and Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN).  How can religious leaders and community organizations collectively work to effectively address hate and divisiveness in Minnesota?  TRUE partner, Dr. Jen Kilps, Network Executive of the MnMN, is pleased to welcome Professor Najeeba Sayeed, El-Hibri Endowed Chair and Executive Director of Interfaith at Augsburg to our next TRUE Tuesdays session where Dr. Sayeed will share the process and results from the July 20th convening. Professor Sayeed will also share her own work toward countering and preventing religious based discrimination and violence, particularly with an anti-Muslim bias.

WELCOME! Visit Your Neighbor: Walking Tour of Five Houses of Worship, Six Congregations on Summit Avenue

SUNDAY, SEPT 10, 2023

A Sunday afternoon walking tour of five Houses of worship (six congregations) on  Summit Avenue in St. Paul. The tour included stops and welcome at House Of Hope, St Paul’s UCC and Holy Presence Old Catholic (same building), St. Thomas More, St. George’s and Mt Zion Temple. 

Coordinating a Multifaith Response to Hate Based Discrimination and Violence in MN  

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023 

AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY

Sponsored by MnMN, Augsburg Interfaith Institute and Shoulder to Shoulder, people of faith, community representatives, and organizers who are active in countering and preventing hate in Minnesota gathered to meet and build relationships with peers across traditions, share efforts underway and resources available, and brainstorm new ways to act together. The questions the group gathered to ask were: 

• What do Minnesotans need to hear from its diverse religious leaders on these and other issues?
• What grassroots work is already going on to prevent and respond to hate, divisiveness and discrimination?
• How could efforts, current and new, be synergized to make a significant impact in Minnesota’s communities?  

Building a Hate Free Minnesota

Inagural Meeting of Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council (ELMAC)

MAY 18th, 12pm Zoom

Drawing on the already existing network structure of MnMN, Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council (ELMAC) is comprised of young leaders in different faith communities and communities of no faith. This structure allows for multifaith conversations related to pressing issues and creates a space in which beliefs can be shared safely.

Generation Z and Millennials will meet once per month to collaborate on potential solutions to the major issues facing their generation. ELMAC is a space for young Minnesota leaders to develop their views of the world while forming a supportive network. All under 35 are welcome to join. 

Please fill out this form to indicate your interest.

Third UN Day of Living Together in Peace (IDLTP) SAT MAY 20, 2023 

Noon to 4pm at Valley Lake Park 16050 Garrett Path, Lakeville

ALL ARE WELCOME!  Activities for all ages!  Food + Games + Mural + Peace Path + Scavenger Hunt + Resources  FREE!

Members of our interfaith community and other committed community members have planned an exciting day for the South Metro at Valley Lake Park in Lakeville. The event is celebrating the International Day of Living Together in Peace and all are welcome! Activities, games, food (halal, kosher, and vegan), resources, and fun!  All free. It is an interfaith picnic plus!

The International Day of Living Together in Peace is a day to live and act together in peace. It is a day to respect differences and diversity and to unite in the spirit of understanding, respect, tolerance, inclusion, and solidarity.

Dialogue, Peace and Reconciliation: Cultivating a Culture of Encounter, Wonder and Curiosity

MAY 6th, 2023

MnMN is Co-Sponsoring the spring Multifaith Leadership Workshop with the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas on May 6th.  The keynote speaker is interfaith leader Simran Jeet Singh, Director of the Religion and Society Program at the Aspen Institute and Senior Fellow with the Sikh Coalition.  The workshop will 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.

Exploring Religious Literacy and Inclusion

MARCH 27th

MnMN is Co-Sponsoring an event with the Canadian interfaith program Encounter World Religions at Augsburg’s 2023  The Forum on Workplace Inclusion®  on March 27th called Exploring Religious Literacy and Inclusion.  We are providing a daylong immersion experience into different religious traditions for participants in the conference.   We will be visiting the Hindu Mandir in Maple Grove, the Northwest Islamic Community Center and Temple Israel in Minneapolis.

See this article from Dr. Brian Carwana about the experience.

2022

Sacred Creation in Crisis: Strengthening the Multifaith Response in Minnesota

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 

On October 12, MnMN held our annual conference, which focused on the theme of Sacred Creation in Crisis: Strengthening the Multifaith Response in Minnesota. The conference was truly a community effort that harnessed the energy of over a hundred speakers, performers, organizational partners, MnMN leadership and volunteers. We are humbled by this community’s commitment to learning about other faith traditions and finding common ground for acting together.  You can read more about the conference at this link.

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We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy organized by the Higher Education Convening Group at the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community at St. Olaf College

September 28, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Named “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo Patel is Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Eboo will deliver a keynote address as part of his visit to St. Olaf College. His address will focus on his new book We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy and will feature a panel of St. Olaf faculty respondents from Religion, Music, and Social Work. A book signing will follow immediately after. 

Livestream of keynote

Religious Freedom Amid a Changing Culture: A Multi-Faith Conversation

Friday, November 11, 2022

MnMN and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints co-sponsored an event to bring together to learn, discuss, and have productive conversation about the topic of religious freedom. The keynote address was given by Steven Collis, JD, Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law and one of the leading scholars in the nation on religion and constitutional law. His talk will be followed by an opportunity for round table discussion concerning current challenges to our shared and various understandings of religious freedom.  We intend for this to be a safe and honest space where we can share our perspectives on this very delicate topic.  We hope that through conversation and dialogue we, as faith and interfaith leaders, can build community and support one another.

From Problem to Promise

March 24, 2022

MnMN hosted a lively conversation with Rev. Dr. Steve Newcom, founding director of the Kaleo Center for Faith, Justice and Social Transformation, on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Steve provided a brief overview of Sevenfold, a model that integrates seven dimensions of social transformation into a user-friendly framework designed to deepen our understanding of what is really going on and strategically align action for transformational impact. Following the formal presentation, shared learning continued via small group breakouts and a fascinating Q&A segment with Steve.

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In a Time Such as This

October 7 & 13, 2021

MnMN's interfaith, statewide convening called, "In a Time Such as This: The urgent need for building stronger multifaith communities in Minnesota," was held October 7 & 13, 2021. Participants gathered in response to the urgent needs and disorientation of the past year, coming together around shared values and providing a salve to the wounds of systemic oppression, division, isolation, and trauma that communities have been struggling with during these turbulent times.

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Discerning Our Moral Commitments Together

June 17, 2021

MnMN's interfaith, statewide convening called, "Discerning our Moral Commitments Together: A Multifaith Conversation on Racial Justice and Human Dignity" was held June 17, 2021. A deep conversation with people committed to the flourishing of all communities in Minnesota took place online. Participants shared thoughts about racial justice, human dignity and what faith communities can do together to propel needed change.  

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