Here are our top picks for joining a broader community in arts, community engagement, and/or social justice – around the state, the region, and the nation.
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FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS & EPIPHANY REFLECTION VIDEO
Free for members (MN UCC, UMC & PC(USA) congregations), this ~15-minute reflection video is based on Psalm 148 – the assigned text for January 1, the First Sunday after Christmas, and appropriate throughout the Season after Epiphany. Join all creation in praising God for new birth, the New Year, and the hope of the Light of the World. The video is suited to insert as a sermon, reflection time, or prayer in in-person or online worship. It will also work well as an opening or closing of a gathering.
The video is comprised of images from congregations across Minnesota and features music from Julia Bloom of Cabin of Love.
It will be suitable for any time throughout the Season after Epiphany: register today for access anytime from January 1, 2023 through February 21, 2023.
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ECOFAITH SUMMIT 2023
Caring for creation can feel overwhelming, impossible, and like there’s no easy place to start. Which is why the EcoFaith Network of the Minneapolis Area Synod (ELCA) is hosting their EcoFaith Summit 2023.
This Summit will bring together lay people, clergy, community partners, and everyone in between from across the Minneapolis Area Synod to learn from one another about the incredible work already happening in our communities and future opportunities to further our commitment to push back against our climate crisis.
Lunch will be provided.
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church
Learn more and register here.
February 4, 2023; 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM CT
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LUTHER COLLEGE’S NORDIC CHOIR IN CONCERT
Directed by Andrew Last, Nordic Choir is Luther College’s principal touring choir in a choral program that comprises three upper-class mixed touring choirs and two first-year choirs. Nordic Choir honors the Lutheran choral tradition while exploring new and innovative choral works that span styles and genres. Performance have been described as ‘thrilling’, ‘breathtaking’, and ‘rock-solid in intonation and rhythmic clarity’.
Nordic Choir will perform at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN.
Cost: $20/adults; $10/students; purchase in advance here or by calling 563.387.1357; or at the door beginning one hour prior to the performance
Sunday, February 5, 2023; 4:00 PM CT
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REPARATIONS LUNCH & LEARN
Would you like to learn more about reparations? Through MNIPL’s 4-session series at noon, deepen into a different aspect of reparations through shared learning and conversation. Feel more confident and empowered to explore your own relationship to reparations and to start reparations conversations with your own community. Join for one session or the whole series.
Learn more and register here.
Online: January 26 & February 9, 23, 2023; 12:00-1:00 PM
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BE THE SPARK 2023
You really can be the spark that leads your congregation/community to deeper climate action! MNIPL’s Be the Spark program is a fantastic way to grow your skills for encouraging climate action while forming connections with others the climate movement. Become better equipped and energized in your work for the earth. Whatever group you belong to, you can be the spark in leading and encouraging them to deeper climate action. Registration opens soon; mark your calendar today – and share with others in your community!
Learn more and register here.
Online: January 26 & February 9 & 16, 2023; 6:30-8:30 PM
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SCREENING OF RACE TO BE HUMAN – A DOCUMENTARY ON TEENS AND RACE
RACE to Be Human is a powerful doorway into a courageous conversation about race. Meet people of all ages – especially youth – from different religions who openly wrestle with how and why we are so separated from each other, the impact of those divisions, and what we can do to heal ourselves and others.
Additional educational materials are available for a limited number of participants to continue the critical conversations with youth. Invite youth to attend the screening – one of the panelists is a teenager.
Free
Learn more and register (soon!) here.
February 6, 2023; 6:00-9:00 PM CT
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CLERGY & RELIGIOUS LEADER MEETING WITH GOVERNOR WALZ
In 2023 we are facing a once in a generation opportunity as a state to build a just, abundant, and beautiful future together by investing the state budget surplus in our families and communities.
ISAIAH will join together clergy and religious leader from over 150 faith institutions to meet with Governor Walz and other statewide elected leadership to advocate for a democracy that honors every person’s dignity, a caring economy that allows everyone to thrive and a just climate future. The meeting will be followed by legislative training on how to get our congregations involved in advocacy this session. Clergy are encouraged to bring 2-3 lay leaders from their faith community.
Learn more here.
Register here.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church; directions here.
February 7, 2023; 1:00-3:30 PM CT
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UUS SHOWING UP FOR UUS WHO SHOW UP
Learn how UUs are building capacity to support and share the load in the face of mass arrest. Find out more about how to organize support for those who are arrested and jailed as a conscientious form of protest.
The sustainability of UU [and all forms] of activism, as well as the sustainability of activists, depends upon the capacity of entities to provide a spectrum of support for those at the frontlines.
Learn More and Get the Toolkit here.
Register for the online training here.
February 7, 2023; 6:00-7:30 PM CT
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OUTDOOR MINISTRY 3RD ANNUAL WINTER ZOOM SERIES: MICROPLASTICS IN THE GREAT LAKES
Microplastics in the Great Lakes is an emerging water quality issue that has a huge potential of impacting human health and the aquatic environment. Microplastics are found in our food, water, air, and even beer along the Great Lakes. Fish are ingesting micro plastic that cause them to starve and allow micro plastics to move up the food chain. Humans are ingesting plastics made from endocrine disruptor chemicals.
Presenter: Art Hirsch; Host: Jane Dow
Learn more here. Register for the Zoom link here.
Free
February 9, 2023; 7:00-8:00 PM CT
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THE PRAXIS OF HOPE: AN EVENING WITH RICARDO LEVINS MORALES
The Leadership Center for Social Justice invites you to the second event in their Praxis Series. This event features Minneapolis-based artist, Ricardo Levins Morales, a social justice Artis and organizer who uses art as a form of political medicine to support individual and collective healing from the ongoing injuries and realities of oppression.
Online and on-campus at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Learn more and register for the event here.
February 15, 2023; 6:30-8:30 PM CT
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OUTDOOR MINISTRY 3RD ANNUAL WINTER ZOOM SERIES: MINING POLLUTANTS IN OUR WATERSHEDS AND SOIL
Mining pollutants have been on the forefront of Minnesota’s environmental conversations for many years. The effects on our water, habitats, and health are well-documented. However, the push for copper-nickel is an urgent concern, especially from the PolyMet mine.
Water Legacy is working diligently on the front lines and in the courts to stop these mining practices that will increase toxic runoff into rivers and streams, which flow into tribal lands, farm lands, lakes, and the entirety of the Minnesota watershed.
Advocacy Director and Counsel Paula Maccabee, is an attorney who has worked with non-profits to protect Minnesota’s water resources and the many lives that rely on clean water and healthy soil. She works to reverse permits granted to PolyMet Mining and hold them accountable for their mining practices.
Free
Register to receive the Zoom link here.
March 9, 2023; 7:00-8:00 PM CST
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THE PRAXIS OF FAITH: A PANEL ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF REV. DR. JAMES CONE
The Leadership Center for Social Justice invites you to the third event in their Praxis Series. This event features an online-only panel discussion including: Dr. Tyler Davis, Dr. Matthew Harris, and Dr. Beverly Mitchell, moderated by Rev. Dr. Ry Siggelkow.
Learn more and register for the event here.
February 15, 2023; 6:30-8:30 PM CT
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BUILDING ON DREAMS – AVENUES FOR YOUTH EVENT
Avenues for Youth partners with youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their dreams.
Their 10th Annual Building on Dreams fundraiser will be held online and in the Holden Room of Glass House.
Individuals or congregations can support Avenues by becoming a Sponsor (learn more here) and/or by hosting an event. Event Leader info and. registration is here.
March 29, 2023; 5:00 PM CT
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PUPPET FASHION SHOW!!
Heart of the Beast Theater presents ‘Puppet Fashion Show’ – an evening of fashion themed mini puppet performances at the Avalon. They are seeking puppeteers (experience and aspiring), fiber artists, crafters, and fashion designers to apply to participate.
Performance Dates: April 13-16, 2023
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