Special Guests

• Professor Anantanand Rambachan, MnMN’s board chairperson, prolific author, and a global leader of interfaith networking, helped set the tone with a reminder that our religious, social, and professional destinies are joined, different faiths have common values, and conversations like this break boundaries. Read the text from his opening statement HERE or play and then scroll the video found below ahead to approximately minute 5:00.
• Special guest Reverend Jia Starr Brown, senior pastor of First Covenant Church, shared her own personal story about how she became present and engaged with the community at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis following George Floyd's murder. She spoke of relationships moving excuses out the window in order to make room for learning, authentic advocacy, and emotional connection. Rev. Brown's portion of the recording may be heard starting at approximately minute 14:30.
• Karen Wills, executive director at Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance, offered a meditative opening blessing. Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, senior rabbi at Mount Zion Temple, talked through next steps and encouraged participants to reach out to one another and stay in relationship. Chiemi Onikura Bly, minister in the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition serving the Twin Cities Buddhist Association, closed the convening by sharing “The Golden Chain." Courageous Change Collective facilitated all large group sections of the convening; small, breakout sessions were facilitated by MnMN’s network members, board members, and operations team members. 

Resources

• Read Professor Anantanand Rambachan's welcome message HERE. 
• Large group sections of the convening were video recorded and may be viewed HERE. 
• Small breakout session NOTES were collected using Jamboard.