Multifaith Leadership Workshop - Saturday, May 6

Multifaith Leadership Workshop

Saturday, May 6, 8:15 am - 3:30 pm


Location

Iverson Center for Faith, outdoor Amphitheater, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus - Click here for map


Admission

free and open to the public (click here for visitor parking information)

“If we truly see ourselves as interconnected, we must endeavor for others as we endeavor for ourselves,” writes Executive Director of Aspen Institute's Religion & Society Program Simran Jeet Singh. If "endeavor for ourselves" and for greater self-discovery is inherently wrapped up in "endeavor for others" and for greater interpersonal engagement, then, as Pope Francis proclaims, “our great challenge is to create a culture of encounter which encourages individuals and groups to share the richness of their traditions and experience; to break down walls and to build bridges.” Cultivating a culture of encounter, grounded in curiosity and wonder, strives for a world in which “we can also speak with those who think differently, as well as those who hold other beliefs, who do not have the same faith.” Advancing common public goods in such a world embraces the reality that great minds do not – and need not – always think alike but requires them to think alongside one another in order to address the urgent matters of our day.

Join us for this daylong workshop at the University of St. Thomas, free and open to all, to 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.

Free and open to the public. Registration Required. Lunch included. Ages 16+. Open to all religious, nonreligious, and spiritual identities, worldviews, and ways of life. Join us for good food, rich conversation, and deep engagement. 


REGISTER HERE!


Note: Simran Jeet Singh Ph.D. will give the keynote address at 11:00 am. Participants who attend the keynote do not need to attend the daylong workshop, but are welcome to. Sign up to receive an email reminder for the keynote.


Organized and hosted by the Interfaith Fellows Program of the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas and the Minnesota Multifaith Network in collaboration with the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College and the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University. Cosponsored by Minnesota Multifaith Network, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Diversity Activities Board (DAB), and the Department of Theology at the University of St. Thomas. Funded, in part, by generous grants from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota, and the Center for Faculty Development at the University of St. Thomas.

Jay Phillips Center to Host Discussion on "What Counts as Religion"?

By Bob Hulteen • September 22, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, Noon - 1:10 p.m.; Woulfe Alumni Hall North, Room 378N, Anderson Student Center, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul The Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas is hosting Dr. Katharine Gerbner, Associate Professor of History and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, on Tuesday, October 6. Her talk is titled "Who Decides What Counts as Religion? Obeah, Slavery, and the Making of Religion in Colonial Jamaica." The event is free and open to the public. 

'The American Story You Haven't Heard'

By Bob Hulteen • September 22, 2026
Thursday, October 1, 7:00 p.m.; OEC Auditorium, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul As America marks 250 years since its founding, we have an opportunity to tell a fuller story of the people and communities that have helped shape this country. Muslims have been part of the American story for centuries, yet much of their history and contributions remain unfamiliar to many Americans. As IRG celebrates its 25th anniversary, we believe this is a fitting time to share more of that story. Islamic Resource Group (IRG) is hosting a viewing of "The American Story You Haven’t Heard," a special showing of "The Great Muslim American Road Trip." This nationally broadcast documentary series follows Muslim American couple Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins on a 3,000-mile journey along Route 66. Along the way, they meet people from different backgrounds and explore the long history of Muslims in America and their contributions to the country. Executive Producer Jawaad Abdul Rahman will take viewers through the film and share some of the stories behind it. Join this evening of film, history, refreshments, and conversation. The event is free, but registration is required. 

New Howard Thurman Book to Be Launched at United Sem

By Bob Hulteen • September 22, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.; United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, 767 Eustis Street, Suite 140, St. Paul This biography and assessment of Howard Thurman’s thought was originally written in the 1970s. Howard Thurman was an active participant with author James Earl Massey in the content. The book was never published. Now, 50 years later, the book is available to the public with additional editorial commentary by the Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung. The foreword to the book is written by Walter Fluker, Senior Director of the Howard Thurman Papers Project at Boston University. This launch event for the book includes a panel discussion on the importance of Howard Thurman for today. Panelists are: Dr. Tamice Spencer-Helms, United adjunct faculty member and DMin alum Rev. Tyler Ho-Yin Sit, Founding Pastor of New City Church, Minneapolis Rev. Alanna Simone Tyler, Associate Pastor for Justice and Mission at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis Books will be available for sale at the event at a discounted price.

Healing to Hope to Sponsor Presentations Regarding the West Bank and Gaza by Rami Khader

By Bob Hulteen • September 3, 2026
Sunday, September 20, 1:00 p.m. (RSVP required); Legacy Dream Space, 2205 California Street NE, Studio 212, Minneapolis Sunday, September 20, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.; Legacy Dream Space, 2205 California Street NE, Studio 212, Minneapolis Monday, September 21, 7:00 p.m.; St. John's Lutheran Church, 500 Third Street West, Northfield Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 p.m.; New City Center, 3104 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis Anar founder and executive director Rami Khader will be touring the U.S. on a "Healing Beyond the Headlines: Building a Movement of Hope for Palestinian Children" tour in September and October. Khader will be at several events in Minnesota September 20-23. Khader will share stories from the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, offering a vision of a healing for Palestinian children and their caregivers beyond the stories often heard in the news. 

Rally and March for Nonviolence With Hands Across the Mississippi River

By Bob Hulteen • September 3, 2026
Sunday, September 20, Noon - 2:00 p.m.; Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge (each side), Minneapolis/St. Paul Participants will gather on each side of the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge at noon, and will walk out to the middle of the bridge to join hands with people from the other side of the bridge at 1:00 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., Imnizaska Indigenous singers and drummers will lead a blessing of the Mississippi. The mayors of the two Twin Cities will offer a proclamation at that time. The gathering will be completed by 2:00 p.m. 

Religions for Peace Second Podcast Features MnMN's Anantanand Rambachan

By Alicia Coombes • September 3, 2026
Episode 2 of the Religions for Peace podcast explores "Understanding the Sacred Across Traditions," examining how different faiths understand the Sacred and how these diverse perspectives can foster unity, compassion, and shared action for peace through the vision of Shared Sacred Flourishing. Shared Sacred Flourishing is a framework to foster interreligious collaboration based on the Shared Sacred Worldview. All in the Religions for Peace movement “share” in holding a Sacred Worldview; Shared Sacred Flourishing affirms religious diversity as a strength, rather than homogenizing it. Episode 2 of the podcast explores how distinct world religions understand the Sacred, and how this rich diversity serves as a source of unity rather than division. Introduced by Sister Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue, the episode demonstrates how grounding action in sacred virtues provides a vital response to the global polycrisis. 

Powering Up! Youth Leaders on Careers in Climate Justice

By Bob Hulteen • July 24, 2026
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.; Zoom Young people across the state are interested in pursuing careers in climate justice. Many of them have already become leaders in the field! Join Youth N'Power for a conversation and presentation about young leaders and their experiences in climate justice careers. You’ll hear firsthand about their experiences navigating school, careers, advocacy, and the transition into becoming professionals. Whether you’re interested in climate justice, community organizing, conservation, or exploring career opportunities, this conversation will offer honest insights, perspective, advice, and encouragement from young people. 

Free Film Screening and Discussion

By Bob Hulteen • July 14, 2026
Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m, doors open, and 7;00 p.m., screening begins; House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul Join the Minnesota Council of Churches and Minnesota Multifaith Network for a free screening of the documentary “Jesus Was a Migrant,” followed by a guided conversation on Thursday, August 13! This thought-provoking film explores the intersection of faith, migration, and the lived experiences of immigrants and refugees — providing an apt mirror as we reflect on the circumstances we find ourselves in today. Following the screening, guests are invited to participate in a facilitated conversation to discuss the film's themes and consider how faith calls its practitioners to regard their neighbors with compassion, dignity, and understanding. This event is free to attend, but seating is limited. Please register by August 6 to reserve your seat. 

Practicing Retreat and Breaking Witness in Public Spaces Together

By Bob Hulteen • July 14, 2026
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MultiReligious Leaders' Press Conference to Protect Democracy

By Bob Hulteen • July 14, 2026
By Rev. Tom Duke On a steamy, sunlit morning at the Minnesota State Capitol, I stood—proud and admittedly sweaty—among about sixty-five clergy from many religious traditions. We gathered in our varied symbolic garb to affirm a shared commitment: advocating for voting processes that are free, fair, secure, and accessible to all eligible voters in the upcoming elections. Why is this the business of clergy? Because protecting the right to vote protects human dignity—a core value upheld across virtually all religious traditions. That dignity, and the voting rights that honor it, form the foundation of just, peaceful, and healthy communities. Most faith traditions aspire to such communities, and they recognize that democracy depends on safeguarding the voice of every citizen. This commitment is not about partisan politics or specific policy agendas. It is about human thriving and well‑being. Religious leaders understand how institutions can be distorted, even corrupted, by greed and the pursuit of power, and how accountability to voters is a necessary check on those tendencies. The opportunity to choose leaders—or reject them—is as close to sacred as a secular process can be. What made this press conference especially powerful was that clergy from multiple religious traditions spoke publicly with one voice. That unity is possible only because of years of intentional relationship‑building across differences—work that cultivates trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose. Through that process, leaders discover shared values, principles, and aspirations, even as they acknowledge real differences. Although differences often draw the most attention, far more is held in common across traditions than most people realize. When we do not know what we have in common, our differences will divide us; when we do know what we share, those differences can enrich us. Respectful and appreciative relationship‑building across differences is not optional; it is essential to our collective future. As theologian Hans Kung observed, “without peace among religions there will not be peace in the world.” Each of us can stretch toward greater curiosity, reaching out to neighbors of different cultures and traditions to learn what we share and where we differ. We can also support organizations that cultivate interreligious cooperation in service and justice work. I’m grateful to ISAIAH and Faith in US for convening this press conference and to the Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) for its years of relationship‑building. You can read a news story about the press conference and explore the national clergy sign‑on letter, " Faith Leaders Defending Democracy ," which has already been signed by nearly 2,000 clergy across many states. 
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