"We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but on the positive affirmation of peace." — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Featured Events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, hosted by Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan
January 11 – Achieving the Dream Conference
Join us for an inspiring in-person event at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate his enduring impact on our society. Immerse yourself in a day filled with thought-provoking discussions, empowering speeches, and engaging workshops. Connect with like-minded equity practitioners from across the state who share a passion for equity, accessibility, justice, and positive change. Be part of this incredible celebration and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of Dr. King's dream. Together, let's continue striving for a more inclusive and equitable world. Registration is now open on our Eventbrite page!
January 12 – Youth Empowerment Summit
January 13 - Gathering for Service Day and the State of Minnesota Career Fair
January 12-14 – Connections for Hope Day
January 15 – 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration hosted by Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan
Join us at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. as we celebrate and recognize the legacy of Dr. King and what his dream means to us today. The celebration is hosted by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in collaboration with Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Stephanie Burrage. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. with fun activities in the foyer. The Celebration is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and will fill up fast! There will be an overflow area for viewing. Live streaming will be available on TPT.org with CART services available. ASL interpreters will be available on site.
The 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration will take place in the St. Cloud area, with the main event on Jan. 15 held at the River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud. The community event is led by St. Cloud State University and the City of St. Cloud in partnership with the community and area partners. Registration is open to reserve your spot.
43rd Annual U of M Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert
Sunday, January 14, 3:00 pm, Ted Mann Concert Hall
This year’s concert theme, “The March Continues,” builds upon last year’s theme, which marked the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and our partnership with the DREAM Initiative. This concert will be live-streamed. Join us for a post-concert reception in the Ted Mann Concert Hall lobby featuring food from Preps by Marvelles.This event is free of charge, and tickets are not required.
Partner Event Elevating New Voices For Justice And Equality, Sponsored by Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul
January 15 7:00 am: Community Events (various locations with livestream of Breakfast Broadcast) 8:00–9:30 am: MLK Holiday Breakfast Broadcast (Minneapolis Convention Center) featuring keynote speaker Marley Dias, with Dr. Yohuru Williams from the University of St. Thomas and an Interfaith Action board member
You are invited to attend one of the several community breakfast sites for gatherings celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year is the 34th Annual Holiday Celebration of this live event with the main program at the Minneapolis Convention Center and live streaming to the remote community sites (St. Paul, White Bear Lake, Minneapolis, Stillwater, Duluth). The events are free, however, you must register for some sites. Information about all sites and registration links are at: https://interfaithaction.org/portfolio-item/mlk-breakfast/. Starting times vary and most include breakfast about 7:00 a.m. with local programming before the live feed beginning at 8:00 a.m. Sponsorship of the Twin Cities and local community events is provided by General Mills and UNCF Twin Cities, Best Buy, and Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. We look forward to honoring and celebrating Dr. King's legacy with you. Please share the event with others in your network.
Community (in-person) Sites (7:00 am)
Enjoy fellowship with friends and neighbors in a community setting and watch the live feed from the event at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Please note:Registration closes at midnight on Wednesday, January 10
Progressive Baptist Church (6:45–7:30 am breakfast) 1505 Burns Ave, St Paul, MN 55106 Register
Parkview United Church of Christ 3737 Bellaire Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Register
St. Peter AME Church (7:00-7:30 am breakfast) 401 E 41st St Minneapolis, MN 55409 Register
Trinity Lutheran Church 115 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 Registration through city of Stillwater website
University of Minnesota – Duluth 1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth MN 55182 No registration (staff and students only)
First United Methodist Church 230 East Skyline Parkway, Duluth, MN 55805 No registration required
No Registration (Staff and Residents Only) Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center 25 West Seventh Street, St Paul, MN 55102 No registration (staff and residents only)
This evening celebration at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center features speakers, live entertainment and the presentation of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Living the Dream award.
Thursday, January 18, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm - Racial Justice Oratorical Contest Winners
This event showcases scholarship winners of the oratorical contest.
Thursday, January 25, 7:00 – 9:00 am - MLK Presidential Breakfast
This event features Minneapolis College President Sharon Pierce, Keynote Speaker James White, Senior VP of Operations for the United Health Group Equity and Innovation Center located in the YMCA of the North, and live music by the College's Jazz Ensemble.
Thursday, February 1, 6:00 – 8:00 pm - MLK Black History Month Keynote
It's a festive start to Black History Month with Minneapolis College. Join us for food, live music from the International Reggae All Stars, and a keynote speaker. Don't miss the celebration!
Interfaith Just Peacemaking: Christian and Muslim Resources for Restorative Justice with Professor Najeeba Syeed
Thursday, January 11, 12:00 - 1:00 pm Central, Online
Religion is often viewed as the source of conflict and violence, but Professor Syeed will discuss how diverse traditions can foster connection, non-violence, and interfaith understanding. She will explore the concept on interfaith just peacemaking, and will address the question – how do we build conflict interventions that prize restoration over retribution from spiritual sources, and practices based on scripture, oral traditions and history of religious communities? Professor Syeed will share examples of restorative peacebuilding in violent conflicts which instead of violence seek a third way to resolve controversies. Attendees will learn how can we function as engaged members of our current social contexts that build relational ethics for a collective future for us all.
Un-Muted: The Silent Voices of Social Genocide in Turkey
Sunday, January 14, 2:00 pm, 6565 Oakley Dr NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Join Niagara Foundation Minnesota, Turkish American Society of Minnesota and Advocates of Silenced Turkey for a thought-provoking exhibition, "Un-Muted: The Silent Voices of Social Genocide in Turkey". This event is a poignant exploration of the social genocide experienced by the oppressed in Turkey, shedding light on the struggles of diverse communities, including members of the Hizmet movement, Kurds, Alevis, women, children, journalists, politicians, and activists with varying identities and views.
Inter-belief Conversation Café: What Is the Universe Good For?
Monday, January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Zoom
On Mon 1/15/24, 7-9pm by Zoom, we’ll get “down-to-earth” about the Universe's usefulness. Our reasoning interbelief dialogue’s pragmatism will be helped by our agreements of open-mindedness, acceptance, curiosity, discovery, sincerity, brevity, and confidentiality. Whether or not you believe you know what good the Universe is, join us -- to either lend the cosmos your ear, or to put some words in its mouth!
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Metro Area 2024 Legislative Preview
Thursday, January 18, 7:30 pm, Islamic Center of Minnesota, 1401 Gardena Avenue NE, Fridley, 55432
The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition will be holding a special Metro Area 2024 Legislative Preview. This is a great opportunity to come together as a coalition with our interfaith partners, meet your fellow advocates, and learn about our policy priorities for 2024 addressing issues such as maternal health, housing, mental health, and gambling expansion. The four JRLC sponsors are the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Minnesota Council of Churches, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota.Check out the event page for the evening’s agenda and take a sneak peak at their 2024 legislative agenda.
Saturday, January 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Great River Regional Library - Mississippi Room, 1300 W. St. Germain St. St. Cloud, MN 56301
You are invited to this exciting multi-faith celebration hosted by Greater St Cloud Faith Leaders. "There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God."
Celebrating World Religion Sunday: What We Hold Sacred, Hosted by the Interfaith Circle and Immanuel Lutheran Church
Sunday, January 21, 7:00 pm, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie
In celebration of World Religion Sunday, 2024, Interfaith Circle invites you to an evening of sharing from many diverse faith traditions.
The inspiration for this event comes from the remarkable rediscovery and rematriation of the Sacred sandstone Red Rock to the Dakota people. “Originally along an Indian trail used by the Mdewakanton Sioux tribe of the Dakota Nation, this Sacred Red Rock in Eden Prairie represented a link to their ancestral traditions and served as a testament to their deep spiritual connection to the land.” Click here for the full article.
As members of the Interfaith Circle gathered to discuss the theme for this year’s annual World Religion Sunday event, the story of the Sacred Red Rock, and the learning and sharing that came out of its rematriation, inspired us to invite others to bring forward what they hold sacred in their religious and spiritual traditions.
Come for song, story, dance and more as we bring together expressions from diverse faith traditions, calling out to the Divine presence, bringing our hopes, struggles, joy, and pain. We lift up “what we hold sacred” as an act of solidarity and love. In sharing this experience, we hope to cultivate a deep reverence for one another and bring more light into our world.
Circle of Trust Retreat Series
February 9 -11 and/or April 26 - 28
This combination of retreats (participants can attend one or both) combine the principles and practices of Circles of Trust and the power of music to help us understand and live into our lives. Developed by Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal, The Circle of Trust® approach is distinguished by principles and practices intended to create a process of shared exploration where people can find safe space to nurture personal and professional integrity and the courage to act on it. In the hands of knowledgeable and skilled facilitators, this approach has the power to transform individuals, families, workplaces and communities.
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.
Braver Angels: Bring your critical eyes and ears to a pilot run of Braver Angels' first 90-minute workshop called "Skills for Disagreeing Better about Politics," led by Braver Angels Co-Founder Bill Doherty. Wednesday, January 10, 6 pm, Ramsey County Library in Shoreview
(Co-Ed) Qur'an Literacy Program from The Women's Mosque of America, beginning Sunday, January 14: Come learn about Islam in an easy, invigorating way through a supportive community of women led scholarship! Open to all religions, genders, ages and backgrounds! Sign up today!
Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute & Restorative Justice Community Action: Learn more about Restorative Justice (RJ) Principles with a trauma informed and racial equity lens by attending our in-person training, "Cultivating Community: Restorative Justice Theory and Practice,"Thursday, January 25 - Saturday, January 27
News
The Greater Saint Cloud Faith Leaders has issued a statement against the rising tide of antisemitism and Islamophobia. "As people of faith, we share a common belief that all human beings, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or origin, are created equal and endowed with inherent dignity and worth. This fundamental truth transcends our differences and binds us together in a shared humanity." Read the statement on their website.
Overall, about four-in-ten U.S. adults say that all or most of their friends have the same religion they do. But about six-in-ten report having at least some friends whose religion differs from their own, according to a new analysis of data from a 2022 Pew Research Center survey. That includes 43% who say only some of their friends have the same religion they do and another 18% who say hardly any or none of their friends do.
Resources & Opportunities
In this episode of Interfaith America with Eboo Patel, Muslim scholar and leader in peacebuilding and social justice practice and research, Najeeba Syeed, explains how to foster constructive interfaith dialogue — including engaging in “sacred witness” — during periods of heightened religious or political tensions. Najeeba is the inaugural El-Hibri endowed Chair and Executive Director of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Emerging Leaders Multifaith Action Council is growing!
ELMAC is a multifaith cohort of leaders under age 35 interested in working together to support each other and change the world! With members from across Minnesota from a variety of religions, spiritualities, colleges, and organizations, ELMAC provides young people a space to have meaningful conversations about the future of multifaith engagement and the future of the planet. Join us in developing our mission, vision, goals, and action projects.
If you know anyone who may be interested, please feel free to share the following information:
Please also feel free to sign up if you are over the age of 35 and have an interest in supporting ELMAC and/or receiving updates from ELMAC members. Those over 35 can also reach out to Network Executive Jen Kilps for more information.
From the project manager of 3Faiths@OneTable, Elizabeth Kulus:
The 3Faiths@OneTable project seeks to connect individuals and families from different religious and/or cultural backgrounds with the goal of encouraging meaningful friendships across differences. Once signed up for the project, I will organize and schedule orientation meetings which will give families the opportunity to meet with one another and get to know each other to make sure the groups are a good match. After that, the cohorts are ready to set up meetings at each other’s homes over the next couple of months. Each cohort agrees to meet at least once in each other’s homes for a total of three gatherings. These gatherings can be made over the sharing of a light meal or snack.
Our goal is to create a low-stakes opportunity for people to meet each other, and as the Project Manager, I will be here as a resource to you throughout the whole process. So that’s the “nuts and bolts” of the project. As you can probably gather from the name, the 3Faiths@OneTable project offers the opportunity to engage in interfaith dialogue and share about your own faith traditions while learning about someone else’s. We know that can be intimidating so we will offer some helpful conversation guidelines to make sure folks feel comfortable. And if at the end of the three months the topic of religion never comes up, that’s ok! We hope that you have still made a meaningful friendship connection with a new family.
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, January 19. 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!
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