Reflections on an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

By Charlie Curry, MnMN Board Member and Financial Officer

In the summer of 2023, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein, of St. Paul’s Temple of Aaron, had an idea. Why not hold an interfaith service of gratitude and thanksgiving close to Thanksgiving Day? On November 20^th, In collaboration with Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul and the Minnesota Interfaith Network, the idea became reality.

A dozen different faith traditions offered “varied and splendid ways” of celebrating diversity and gratitude with chant, song, music, dance, prayer, spoken word and poetry to a gathering of several hundred people. Traditions represented included Judaism, liturgical and non-liturgical Christianity, Baha’i, Islam, and Buddhism. Rabbi Rubenstein, in his remarks, pointed out that the closest word to gratitude or thanks in Hebrew is “acknowledge.”

That evening, we acknowledged each other’s deep tradition, and in grateful reflection, acknowledged that the connectedness and relationships we build across our various ways of being are an essential component as we navigate through these turbulent times.

Over coffee and cookies when the service ended, many stayed to talk with each other – many just meeting that evening. Hope was expressed that this event become an annual gathering so that deep relationships may develop and grow.

Turkic Cooking Class

Sunday, December 3, 2:00 - 4:30 pm, Turkish American Society of Minnesota (TASMN), 6565 Oakley Drive Northeast Fridley, MN 55432

In TASMN's Turkic Culinary Journey series, they celebrate the rich and vibrant culinary traditions that span across Turkic-speaking regions, including Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and many more. Building on the success of their first season, they're thrilled to take you on an even more captivating journey into the heart of Turkic cuisine.

Their Turkic Cooking Classes are designed for food lovers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks. Whether you’re seeking to expand your culinary repertoire or simply enjoy a delightful cultural experience, these classes are perfect for you. The second season of Turkic Culinary Journey sessions will be held first Sundays of each month. At the end of each class, attendees will be enjoying the wonderful dishes they have made together.

Headscarf Story Circle: Tea Celebration

Sunday, December 3, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55106

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognizes the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our fourth offering as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, or memories, and beliefs.

During these historical and current challenges, we will come together to share stories, embrace our differences, and support each other along the way. Reflecting on previous offerings, we will highlight the impact and discoveries made during previous gatherings as well as hold space for new stories. As we sip on teas and food from around the world, we will embark on a journey with cultural wellness professionals who will unveil their unique strategies for achieving balance and inner peace. Participation in past offerings is not required.

The Forum on Workplace Inclusion's Navigating Spiritual, Religious and Worldview Diversity in the Workplace with Najeeba Syeed

Thursday, December 7, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Zoom

In this session participants will learn how to navigate religious, spiritual and worldview diversity in the workplace. Some of the questions we will explore: How can these differences serve as starting points for discussion and as assets in our workplaces? What skills are needed to engage in nuanced, productive and complex conversations?

During this session you will:

• Better understand how religious, spiritual, and worldview diversity manifests in the workplace.
• Learn the ways in which religious, spiritual, and worldview diversity benefits all institutions and organizations.
• Explore methods to navigate effective conversations around religious, spiritual, and worldview diversity
  This session is eligible for SHRM and HRCI CEU credits.

Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services Donation Drive

As refugee families are arriving, donations are flying off Minnesota Council of Churches's shelves, and they need your help! Help them welcome new families by donating hygiene products and home essentials including but not limited to: All-purpose Cleaner, Feminine Products, Dish Soap, Deodorant, and Toothpaste. To schedule a drop off please call (612)247-9760 or email rsvolunteers@mnchurches.org. You can also mail donations at their main office at 122 W Franklin Ave Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul's Holiday Dignity Shop

Help Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul create a wonderful Holiday Dignity Shop. "What is a Dignity Shop? Instead of deciding for parents what their children might like or need, we let the parents choose 2-3 items per child. They can choose to wrap the gifts or leave them unwrapped. They can give their children the gifts whenever they choose to celebrate. New toy/gift donations accepted through December 20. We do not have any specific toy or gift requirements or suggestions. Please remember we serve a diverse group of families, children range in age from 0-18, we do not accept toy weapons, and we'd prefer gifts to be in the $15-25 range. Interested in volunteering? We need elves to sort toys and set up the shelves, to help with shopping, and to staff the children's activity area, where they can create a gift while their parent is shopping. Contact Donna Franklin at dfranklin@interfaithaction.org, 651-364-7290."

Workshop and Lecture with Amy-Jill Levine

Tuesday, January 9, Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center
1490 Fulham Street, St. Paul, MN 55108 or on YouTube

3:30 – 5:00 pm Clergy Workshop: “Understanding Jesus and Paul Means Understanding Jewish Practice and Belief”
7:00 pm Public Lecture: “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Why Knowledge of Jewish History Matters for Christian Preaching and Teaching”

Please join Luther Seminary to hear renowned biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine deliver the 2024 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology. This annual public lecture honors the legacy of the late Professor Terry Fretheim in making biblical-theological scholarship available to Luther Seminary students and their surrounding communities.

Prior to the public lecture, Professor Levine will offer a free workshop for area clergy and seminary students that discusses the reasons why anti-Jewish preaching and teaching continue, details the popular misconceptions about the Jewish context of Jesus and Paul found in sermons and church-based curricula, and offers alternatives for reading the texts on which they are based.

The Sacred Ordinary, a Collegeville Institute Writing Workshop

Saturday, February 24, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Writing and Yoga are two powerful, transformational spiritual practices that can bring us closer to God, ourselves, and each other. As a writer and yoga teacher, Ellie Roscher loves to pair writing, breath and movement in a way that invites us to inhabit our bodies and experience deeper embodiment. In this one day writing workshop, Ellie will lead participants through simple breath work, body movement, writing prompts and discussion to unlock and explore our bodies as writers.

This day will center around the idea of the sacred ordinary. The present moment is shimmering with holiness. Yoga and writing are two practices that can dust off the soul and cleanse the lenses of our faith. Together, let’s remember the truth, practice attentive noticing, come back home to the divine in the mundane, and move toward a contentment in the present moment. We will unlock stories living and breathing under our skin. In community, let’s turn toward our bodies with curiosity and reverence on our path toward deeper embodiment, healing, and wholeness.

Save the Date for Augsburg's 2024 Interfaith Symposium: Building Trust in Divisive Times

Thursday, March 7, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Augsburg University

The keynote lecture will be given by Manu Meel, who is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is polarization. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is leading the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences.

Registration coming soon! Sponsorship opportunities are available, contact interfaith@augsburg.edu for more information. 

Resources & Opportunities

• 2024 Religious Holidays Calendar from Encounter World Religions, one of our favorite organizations promoting pluralism and religious literacy. Recognizing the religious holidays of others is a great way to make folks feel seen and foster conversation and connection. Encounter World Religion's new 2024 Holiday Guide is perfect for workplaces, schools, community groups or anyone wanting to know more about the celebrations and seasonal festivals of their neighbors.
• Applications are now open for Collegeville Institute's About Me, About You: A Writing Workshop By and For Women of Color with Roohi Choudhry. This generative writing workshop, designed to bring together women of color from diverse backgrounds to write creative prose rooted in personal experience, will be held from April 22-28, 2024 at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Applications are due Thursday, December 7, 2024.

Submissions to the Newsletter

All are welcome to submit events and news for inclusion in our newsletter. To make a submission, please email us. Submissions for the next newsletter are due Friday, December 8. MnMN Organizational Partners and Individual Members have first priority. If you are not yet an Organizational Partner or Individual Member, we encourage you to join us!