Encounter World Religions Offers Course on Aspects of the Sacred
Wednesdays on January 28, February 4, 11, and 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.; online
Religion can be more than what is contemplated in the mind. Often it is a feast for the senses that draws us in, makes us feel awe or mystery, and sometimes even enlightens us.
Encounter World Religions is offering a new winter series titled "Sounds, Spaces, and Celebrations: The Feel of the World's Religions." Participant will explore the poetry and perspectives of sacred texts; the sights, sounds, and spaces that move us; and the celebrations that connect us. Those involved will learn how beauty is central to the religious experience. Each of the four talks will explore the richness of many religions, rather than learning about a single tradition.
Sunday, January 18, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.; Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 County Road C2, Roseville Though hailing from many cultures and engaging in various traditions, there is a shared humanity -- a common bond as children of a greater purpose. Celebrate this perspective at an event under the theme of "Finding Unity With Kindness and Peace." The event is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul Food Shelf at the Department of Indian Work. Minnesota Multifaith Network is a co-sponsor of the event, along with JustServe and Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul.
Monday, January 19, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Various locations with registration at Macalester Plymouth United Church, 1658 Lincoln Avenue, St. Paul Interfaith Action of GreaterSaint Paul is sponsoring opportunities for volunteers to serve their communities to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on January 19. Service projects, both onsite at Macalester Plymouth United Church and offsite, will includ work for Bridging, Living Well, Urban Village, Ronald McDonald House, Interfaith Action, and other organizations. If you have questions, contact Rachel McIver Morey.
On December 17, 2025, the Religion News Service (RNS) published an opinion piece by Dr. Jen Kilps, network executive of the Minnesota Multifaith Network. (RNS) — On Friday afternoons, a collective of Christian and Muslim faith communities gets together in Cedar-Riverside, the largest Somali neighborhood in Minnesota, after jumah (Friday prayers). Neighbors gather and simply share Somali tea and coffee, greeting each other while forming relationships. One of the Christian pastors, the Rev. Jane Buckley-Farlee, involved in this activity explains: “All we do is serve tea and coffee, be friendly, talk, and say, ‘We’re glad you’re here.’ People walk out from Friday prayers and, seeing people gathered, are moved — and they remember. It’s really powerful.” This gathering has been happening since President Donald Trump’s first travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries in 2017, when people from the Somali community expressed fear of being targeted for persecution from the U.S. government. And those Friday afternoons continue to be a beautiful example of religious hospitality that creates safe space for relationships and community building. (Read on)
William P. Brown Named Rutlen Lecturer for 2026 Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.; Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul The annual Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation in 2026 will explore the value of God’s creation in Job and for us all in the face of climate crises. Under the title "Be-Wilded by Wonder: Just Creation in the Book of Job," Rev. William P. Brown will address questions such as: What would it be like to read the story of Job by reading the ending first? How does one understand the book of Job as a whole, with creation taking center stage? And what about all those wild animals God presents for Job’s consideration? William P. Brown is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. His work explores justice, creation care, and hope form bibilical and theological perspectives. He is author of several books, including Sacred Tension: Embracing Dialogue and Dissonance in the Old Testament and Deep Calls to Deep: The Psalms in Dialogue and Disruption.
If you care about home, you are invited to participate in the Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil starting Tuesday, November 25. Participants can join the vigil in person or virtually by committing to one or more one-hour shifts to stay awake, contact your member of Congress, and hold vigil. Those who are able are especially encouraged to come in person for the opening and closing hours to help create a strong, visible presence. When: 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 25 - Wednesday, November 26 Where: Virtual -or - The Basilica of Saint Mary, 88 N orth17th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403
You are invited to join a special screening event of Gabe Polsky's The Man Who Saves the World? , playing this coming Tuesday, November 18, at the Riverside Theatre in Minneapolis at 7:00 p.m. , which is about someone I know: Patrick McCollum. There will be a post screening Q&A’s with Gabe and Patrick McCollum. This is more than a movie, and after sold-out events in Sedona, San Rafael, Ojai, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, & NYC, it is exciting that this film, with its unforgettable characters, and powerful message, is coming to audiences in Minneapolis as it continues its nationwide rollout! -- Jen Kilps
Tuesday, November 18, 1:00 - 2:25 p.m.; St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 1660 County Road B West, Roseville In its continuing effort to bring together local faith communities to have discussions on issues affecting our community, Do Good Roseville is sponsoring a training for faith communities on Tuesday, November 18, to address current immigration concerns. The event will include a speaker from the ACLU who will address questions such as: What faith communities can do on their premises. Ways to support families Community updates Time for discussion on what our faith communities are doing or would like to do will be made available.
What if the conversations you're afraid to have this Thanksgiving became the ones that deepened connection? Interfaith Photovoice's " Guide for Bountiful Thanksgiving Conversations " shows you how to use your own photographs to start conversations that actually bring people together around the table.
Noted Journalist to Address Christian Nationalism Sunday, November 9, 2:00 p.m.; House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul As part of its Sunday Series, House of Hope Presbyterian Church is hosting an event featuring investigative journalist Katherine Stewart. She will address issues around the impact of Christian Nationalism. Stewart is the author of the New York Times bestselling Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Bloomsbury, 2025). Her previous book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (Bloomsbury, 2020) formed the basis of the documentary feature God & Country, produced by Rob Reiner. The Power Worshippers was awarded First Place in the Nonfiction Books category by the Religion News Association.
Addressing the Effects of Christian Nationalism Friday, November 7, 7:00 p.m.; Creekside UCC, 106 East Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis Minnesota Christians Against Christian Nationalism is hosting an opportunity to hear from two experts on white Christian nationalism and its connection to democratic backsliding in the United States: Rev. Angela Denker and Dr. Matt Taylor. What are the theological and historical roots of white Christian nationalism in the US? Who are the diverse set of religious and political actors operating within this broad movement and what unites them? What is the threat they pose to American Christianity, to the U.S. Government, to those who live in this country, and to the world beyond its borders? What can American Christians who want to protect the vulnerable and defend democracy do in this moment to challenge this movement both theologically and politically.