Six leaders of local interfaith activities in communities across Minnesota gathered recently in a video conference call convened by Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) to get acquainted, learn about each others' roles, and share about local activities, as well as the various challenges each faces. Leaders from Moorhead, Duluth, Rochester, Prior Lake, Lakeville, and St. Peter participated in the call. Participants reported on such activities as a bridge-building awards event, tours of houses of worship, day of peace and multicultural festivals, matching volunteers with-nonprofits needing them for services, organizing days of service, establishing an international twin communities relationship, shared concern and support for immigrants and more. The biggest challenge they reported, after Covid halted so much local interfaith activity, has been scheduling time together, mainly due to differing holiday calendars for the various communities and commitments within their own faith communities.  MnMN plans another convening with other individuals in communities around the state, both in advance of MnMN's Annual Conference, "The Time is Now: Powering Pluralism," on November 6 in St. Paul, and after. For more information or receive an invitation to a future one, contact volunteer conveners Paula Nordhem (Lakeville) or Tom Duke (St. Paul). An AI summary of this meeting is available upon request.

Cutting Through the Noise Sunday, September 21, 2:30-4:00 p.m.; Geroge Floyd Square, 38th and Chicago Avenues (followed by informal social time at Bichota Coffee) In a world rife with systemic injustice, “cutting through the noise” has never been more critical. Let us come together with a commitment to justice to embody peace and bear witness in shared public places. With a hope for deepening wellness, we will practice “retreat” in real time and space … right where we are! Together with Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown and Rev. Ben Connelly, attendees will be invited to reflect, pray, or simply rest in the sights, sounds, and feelings of the present moment. Facilitators will provide brief instructions for finding mindful quiet. To support this offering, we suggest a donation of $10. No one will be turned away. For more information about the facilitators: http://jiastarrbrown.com https://wisdomexperience.org/content-author/ben-connelly/  Questions? Please contact benconelly70@gmail.com