Wisdom Ways Community Iftar

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative believes in the vision that all people have a home. This collaborative of congregations and housing advocates believes that secure, affordable housing provides the key to safer communities, stronger families, and a healthier economy. Beacon is seeking individuals who are deeply aligned with its mission, bring strong cultural competency, and are committed to ongoing learning and collaboration as the organization works to address bias and racial inequities in housing. Please visit Beacon's website to learn more about its strategies, programs, and values, including collaboration, risk-taking, racial equity, and inclusive decision-making. Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative seeks a Senior Organizer. The Senior Organizer is an advanced practitioner responsible for driving high-level engagement from Beacon’s collaborative of congregations. They are responsible for leading and growing a portfolio of diverse interfaith congregations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area to grow Beacon’s power. The Senior Organizer operates with a high degree of autonomy to develop sophisticated congregational teams and pilots innovative organizing tactics that reach beyond our existing base and serve as models for the rest of the division. The successful Senior Organizer is both self-motivated and collaborative with the Policy and Organizing team. They demonstrate commitment to racial justice and high cultural competency. 

Wednesday, March 25, Noon keynote and 1:00 p.m. lunch; Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg University, 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis Rev. Jen Bailey will keynote this year's Interfaith Symposium. The theme is "Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves." Rev. Bailey is an ordained minister and national leader in the multi-faith movement for interfaith understanding and justice. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, a Nashville-based philanthropic foundation investing in the leadership of young people and the vitality of the natural environment. After the keynote join us for a luncheon and panel conversation with Augsburg students and corporate leaders. Augsburg University’s Interfaith Symposium is an annual invitation to build community, foster collaboration, and create a more caring world through learning about religious/spiritual/worldview diversity, participating in enriching dialogue, and networking with exceptional interfaith leaders. As the most ethnically diverse campus in the Midwest, Augsburg University embraces students with a variety of religious beliefs and worldviews. Join us for this opportunity to learn about building partnerships across differences and how to face the future with hope and determination. Learn More or Register: augsburg.edu/interfaith26

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