Exploring Human Origins

Augsburg University has position opening in multifaith work The Campus Ministry Multifaith Program Associate is a student-facing position that serves as part of the University’s Campus Ministry Team to lead and strengthen the programming supporting students across various faith traditions. 

Turkish American Society of Minnesota to host food festival Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; Turkish American Society of Minnesota, 6565 Oakley Drive NE, Fridley Turkish American Society of Minnesota (TASMN), who will be hosting a Turkish Food Festival on Saturday, September 20 . This is an opportunity to enjoy a vibrant day of community, culture, and delicious homemade Turkish treats.  Bring your family and friends; everyone is welcome!

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

Gateway to Himalayan Art Currently - December 7; Flaten Art Museum, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota The Flaten Art Museum at St. Olaf College in Northfield is hosting the exhibition Gateway to Himalayan Art . It introduces the main forms, concepts, meanings, and religious traditions of Himalayan art with objects from the collection of the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in New York. A large multimedia map at the start of the exhibition orients visitors to the greater Himalayan region, which encompasses Indian, Nepalese, Bhutanese, and Tibetan cultures, as well as interrelated Mongolian and Chinese traditions.

CHANGE IN DATE! Originally, as shown in the graphic above, this online event was scheduled for September 17; it now is on Monday, September 15. Money, Lies, and God: Inside the movement to destroy American democracy Wednesday, September 15, 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Central Time; Online Via Zoom In The Power Worshippers (2020), journalist Katherine Stewart exposed Christian nationalism as a growing threat to democracy. Her new book, Money, Lies, and God (2025), goes further—revealing how ultra-wealthy donors, conservative think tanks, and far-right religious groups are driving a radical anti-democratic movement. Stewart, also a key voice behind the Rob Reiner-produced documentary God & Country, asks urgent questions: How did we get here—and why are so many Americans turning against democracy?

Tuesday, July 17, 7:00 - 8:00 pm; Virtual The Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown is hosting a Bible study series about "Decolonizing Church Music: Decolonizing Jesus Liberating Ourselves and the Church" on Tuesday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m. She will peel bak the familiar colonial layers that have overshadowed the gospel message to reveal the radiance of Jesus and his ministry. A link for the event will be provided to those who register. 

Have you looked on the internet for basic information about another religion but weren’t sure where to go? The Institute for Islamic Christian Jewish Studies (ICJS) now offers help. The new ICJS web page, Faith Inside & Out: Exploring Judaism, Christianity, & Islam , is a collection of curated resources assembled by ICJS scholars, program staff, and communications team to help you explore the beliefs and practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Faith Inside & Out links to online resources created by faith practitioners themselves, (the insiders’ view). It also includes perspectives that look at religion from outside the tradition. This page is ideal for educators, dialogue groups, and anyone seeking to explore faith beyond stereotypes.

Saturday, July 12; 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Turkish American Society of Minnesota, 6565 Oakley Drive NE, Fridley The Turkish American Society of Minnesota (TASMN) invites everyone to its Community Sale and Turkish Bake Sale on Saturday, July 12. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a vibrant day of community, culture, and delicious homemade Turkish treats.