Christian Reconciliation; Eager Peacemakers; Coronavirus; Over $1M in grants; caregiving, volunteer management; Ilhan Omar, Patrick Keifert, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin, Rob Bell, Peter Rollins, Bryan Stevenson; 3 jobs; Opportunities in St. Paul, Northfield, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Mahtomedi, Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Duluth, DC
Give MN donate button

Our Members

African Methodist Episcopal Church
Fourth Episcopal District

American Baptist Church
American Baptist Churches of Iowa and Minnesota
American Baptist Churches, Rochester Genesee Region of New York State

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Upper Midwest Region

Church of God in Christ
Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction

Church of the Brethren
Northern Plains District

The Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church in Minnesota

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Minneapolis Area Synod
Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Northwestern Minnesota Synod
Saint Paul Area Synod
Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Southwestern Minnesota Synod

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Metropolis of Chicago

Mennonite Church
Central Plains Mennonite Conference

Moravian Church
Northern Province
Western District

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
Fellowship of Minnesota Congregationalists

National Baptist Convention
Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Dakotas District Council

Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
Presbytery of the Northern Plains
Presbytery of Northern Waters
Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

United Church of Christ
Minnesota Conference

United Methodist Church
Minnesota Annual Conference

Our Programs

Refugee Services
Immigration
Housing
Employment
Education
Case Management

Racial Justice
Healing Minnesota Stories
Black Clergy Speakers Bureau
Racism is Real resource

Interfaith Programming
Taking Heart Ramadan Iftars
#BlessedRamadan
Interfaith relationships

Respectful Conversations Project
Respectful Conversations
Respectful Conversations in
   Schools

Mankato Refugee Services
Case Management
Job Placement
Immigration
Adjustment
Community Engagement and Outreach

About "News for the Common Good"

Thousands of congregational decision-makers use this resource to learn about upcoming events, workshops, cross-sector opportunities and MCC programs. 

Managing Your Account

You received this e-mail message because of your participation in the Minnesota Council of Churches or your affiliations with one of our member denominations. To unsubscribe or change your e-mail address, please e-mail news@mnchurches.org.

Privacy policy: The e-mail address you provide to MCC will only be used by MCC. MCC will not sell or share your e-mail address.

Prevent blocking MCC's e-mails: In order to ensure you continue to receive our e-mail alerts, make sure to add this e-mail address to the list of allowed e-mail addresses in your spam blocker.

March 5, 2020

In this Issue

News  
   Eager Peacemakers
   The Christian Art and Practice of Reconciliation in Divisive Times
   Faith-based/non-profit office space for rent
   MCC in the world
     
Upcoming Events 
   Compassionate Caregiving
   7 Steps to Protect Your Faith Community
   Going to the Dogs: Canine Lessons on Volunteer Engagement
   Freedom Seder
   Challenging Islamophobia
   How Change Comes to Your Church
   ISAIAH Clergy & Religious Leader Training
   Turning Hearts from Hate to Healing
 
   Volunteer opportunities with new refugees
   Earth Day Sunday
 
Resources
   COVID and congregations
   Remember to add litter to your shopping list
   Climate change is a divine response to tyranny
   Sermon illustrations: Giraffe Heroes

Grants
   Collaborative Inquiry Teams
   5 other grants
 
Employment    
   3 positions
 
Looking Forward  
   Finance & Sustainability Conference
   An Evening with Rob Bell & Peter Rollins
   Church Anew: Master Class in Communication
   2020 Duluth Lynching Remembrance

Beyond Our Region  
   Ecumenical Advocacy Days
 

News

 

Eager Peacemakers

One element of a Respectful Conversationis the training table facilitators receive. What's remarkable about it is how eager your recruits are to use their peacemaking skills again. A recent appeal to trained facilitators to fill-in at the last minute for an unexpectedly large conversation earned over a 25% response rate!. By hosting an MCC Respectful Conversation you can boost enthusiasm for peacemaking in your fellow disciples and your mission field. Schedule an empathy-building facilitated, structured Respectful Conversation on the 2020 election or another topic today. 
 

The Christian Art and Practice of Reconciliation in Divisive Times

March 24, 6:30pm
United Theological Seminary, St. Paul

Is the church called to reconcile political rifts caused by impeachment proceedings?  Have Americans become antinomist in our pursuit of prosperity and power?  Join a panel discussion featuring Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, MCC executive director and author. Rev. Dr. DeYoung's talk will include respondents United professors Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler, Hebrew Bible, Rev. Dr. John Lee, professor and director for spiritual formation, Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, professor and director for social transformation, and United alum Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, lead pastor of Christ United Church of Christ in Rochester. Register here
 

Faith-based/non-profit office space for rent

When your social entrepreneurship start-up goes from needing to meet every so often to requiring a shared space to work, think about the Minnesota Church Center. Nonprofits wishing to locate near Downtown Minneapolis, Loring Park, and Eat Street in a building with on-site parking, professional reception staff, and a café should consider 1,000-1,500 square feet of office space available in the Minnesota Church Center. The building was highlighted by the Downtown Journal as a “treasure to see,” and the Franklin Terrace Café is readily praised. Contact MCC's Chief Operating Officer Doug Swanson at (612) 230-3201 for leasing details.
 

MCC in the world

Minnesota Council of Churches staff are often out in the community speaking at events and engaging people of faith to build the common good. Find us here...
  • March 5: Jim Bear Jacobs, Healing and Reparations, St. John's Lutheran, Northfield
  • March 22: Curtiss DeYoung, How to Begin Reconciliation, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
  • April 5: Curtiss DeYoung, preaching, Park Avenue UMC, Minneapolis
  • May 17: Curtiss DeYoug, preaching, Bethesda Baptist, Minneapolis
  • June 11: Jerad Morey, Respectful Conversations, Minnesota Annual Conference, Sioux Falls
 

Upcoming Events

 

Compassionate Caregiving

March 5, 10:00am – Noon
Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul

What are the personal benefits, as well as the individual challenges of caring for another person? Beginning with an overview of caregiving from a Biblical perspective, this program focuses on the importance of caring for one’s own physical, emotional, and spiritual life while caring for others.  Participants will be given tools for real-life application as they reflect on the role of caregiving in their own lives. Learn more.
 

7 Steps to Protect Your Faith Community

March 5, 10:30am – Noon
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis

Now more than ever houses of worship need to plan, prepare, and protect from those that intend to cause harm. The question is, how do you do that when all people are welcome and the focus is on community, faith and religion? Kingswood Security Consulting and St Mark's Episcopal Cathedral have partnered together to bring you an event that answers these very questions. Register here.
 

Going to the Dogs: Canine Lessons on Volunteer Engagement 

March 9, 1:30pm-3:30pm
United Theological Seminary, St. Paul

"How do you get all those dogs to walk so nicely together?!" One dog walker, 14 dogs, Travis Salisbury will offer a fun and humorous presentation about how "leading the pack" taught him more about volunteer management. Participants will explore five key qualities in their role as “leader of the pack” and how to engage adaptive action to walk their pack and maximize the mission of their organization. The presentation will highlight the best practices from the eight MAVA volunteer leadership modules (capturing motivation, designing position descriptions, managing risk, recruiting, supervising, positioning for success, measuring impact, and recognition/retention). This session is perfect for those new to the profession as well as those wishing to re-engage skills in a fun, interactive environment. For more information or to register visit: www.mavanetwork.org.   
 

Freedom Seder

March 15, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Mt. Zion Temple

Jewish Community Action invites interfaith community members to join the 20th Annual Freedom Seder, share the story of Passover and connect it with modern struggles for liberation. Learn more here.
 

Challenging Islamophobia

March 17, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Augsburg College, Minneapolis

This conference aims to inform and equip participants to effectively challenge Islamophobia in their personal lives and work settings. Topics include Islamic feminism, Islamophobia and the media, intersections of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and white nationalism/supremacy, impacts of Islamophobia and hate, and Greater Minnesota challenges. Breakout sessions will address challenges of Islamophobia-based bullying, responding to hate in Minnesota, and Interfaith Response networks. Learn more and register.
 

How Change Comes to Your Church

Saturday, March 21 - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
St. Andrew's, Mahtomedi

Many congregations recognize their need to bring about change in order to become or remain vital, both spiritually and organizationally. They have a sense of what they need, and what might keep them from changing. But they don’t know how to change. "How Change Comes To Your Church" draws on the practical experience, stories, and examples from two experienced church leaders. Patrick Keifert and Wesley Granberg-Michaelson have helped scores of congregations as well as larger denominational organizations identify key elements that are a necessary part of transformational change. The program focuses on the important work of changing church culture, with innovative spiritual practices that establish the foundation for durable, missional change. The cost is $99 (includes book) for one or $249 for a group (bring as many from your church as you want; includes 1 book) Learn more. (via SPAS News & Events)
 

ISAIAH Clergy & Religious Leader Training

March 26, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Macalester Plymouth UCC, St. Paul

Clergy and Religious Leaders from every corner of Minnesota gather to spend the day gaining clarity on ISAIAH’s collective vision, receiving the necessary tools to step further into the kind leadership that is bold but joyous, building relationships to create a level of cohesiveness that is sustainable, collectively discussing what’s at stake in inaction and last but not least, wrestling together about the internal obstacles when deciding to act in a powerful way. Register here.
 

Turning Hearts from Hate to Healing

March 26-29
Various Locations

Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin, a faith leader and peace practitioner whose published academic words have focused on the role of religion in peacebuilding and conflict, will be speaking at multiple events in the Twin Cities.
  • “Restorative Justice in Dealing with White Nationalism” // March 26, 5:30-6:30pm // Hamline Mitchell School of Law, St. Paul // No RSVP required
  • “Religion and Conflict” // March 27, 7:15pm // Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka // Register by March 16 at http://bit.ly/gopin-dinner
  • “An Advanced Guide to Peacebuilding” and “Continuing the Conversation about Peacebuilding” // March 28, 9:30am – 2:15pm // Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka // No RSVP required
  • “White Nationalism” // March 29, noon – 1:30pm // Wayzata Community Church // No RSVP required

Make a Difference

 

Volunteer opportunities with new refugees

Do you have daytime availability and an interest in welcoming new Minnesotans with refugee status? New Cultural Orientation Workshops are being conducted weekday mornings at four different Twin Cities locations. The classes are led by an instructor, and volunteer assistants help the class run smoothly. If you would like to meet new Minnesotans in a consistently scheduled way, this is the perfect opportunity for you! For more information, or to fill out an application, please visit our website.
 

Earth Day Sunday

The 2020 Earth Day Sunday toolkit from Creation Justice Ministries will equip your faith community with preaching, teaching, prayer, and action materials for the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Learn more and download it at www.earthdaysunday.org

 


Resources


COVID and congregations

During the Spanish Flu, Some Minnesota vicinities required churches to close worship, but then to open as surge capacity for patients unable to find hospital beds. In Europe pastors were asked to keep their sermons short and limit Sunday School to five minutes. Communication about the disease was sometimes contradictory and government decisions made with public health in mind were often contested. There are a number of resources for churches grappling with public health decisions today:  

Remember to add litter to your shopping list

You may have heard that some congregations are “cat” churches that don’t care whether the clergy like them, and others are “dog” churches who are eager to please and receive affection. Did you know that your faith tradition can be used to predict whether you are a cat or dog owner*? A study reported on in the Star Tribune says Mainline Protestants and atheists are more likely to own cats, and Catholics and evangelical Protestants are more likely to own dogs.
 

Climate change is a divine response to tyranny

Ched Myers writes that we can look to Exodus and Revelations to adopt a scriptural perspective on climate change: "Biblical judgment oracles are 'good news' because they unveil inconvenient reality in order to stimulate repentance — the struggle to “turn around” our personal and political history of captivity. May we help overturn the rule of “the carbon Pharaohs” (Rabbi Arthur Waskow) through communal change and public witness (see a pilgrimagemarch and resources at the Mennonite Creation Care Network), becoming Beloved Community with Creation!"
 

Sermon illustrations: Giraffe Heroes

Life is full of illustrations to put the exclamation point on scriptural principles. One resource is Giraffe Heroes, stories of people who lived with courage. The database is searchable by occupation, age, location and other categories of the targeted lives. It states, "Here you can find the stories of hundreds of real people who have stuck their necks out for the common good."
 

Grants

 

Collaborative Inquiry Teams

Up to $135,000
Apply by April 1, 2020

Louisville Institute’s Collaborative Inquiry Team (CIT) program supports teams of four to eight pastors and professors who propose projects to strengthen the life of North American Christian congregations. Teams spend 18 to 36 months exploring together a living question currently confronting church and society. Learn more here.
 

Other grants

National Clergy Renewal Program, up to $50,000, apply by April 1
Thriving in Ministry Grant, up to $1M, Inquire by April 17
Emerging Leader Grants, up to $15,000, rolling deadlines
Facility Completion Grants, average $7,500, ongoing
Hennepin Recycling Grant, up to $50,000, ongoing

   

Employment


Other Faith Community Postings

Community Engagement and Education Coordinator (FT), Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Congregational Organizer (FT), Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, St. Paul
Senior Congregational Organizer (FT), Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, St. Paul

 

Looking Forward

 

2020 Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference

April 14, 7:30am - 4:30pm
Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center

Leadership is about strong relationships, emotional intelligence, and team work. At the same time, leadership is about fiscal transparency, ethical decision making, and taking a long-term view. At this year's Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference, you'll have an opportunity to focus on both sides of your leadership brain. Learn more here.
 

An Evening with Rob Bell & Peter Rollins

Monday, May 11 - 7:00-9:00pm
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie

Hear inspiration, challenge, hope, and promise from two of the best tellers of good news! Peter Rollins and Rob Bell have struck a friendship that spans comedy and preaching, faith and creativity. Rob Bell has been profiled in The New Yorker, toured with Oprah, and in 2011 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He has also risked much to carve out a more welcoming gospel. Peter Rollins is an acclaimed philosopher, theologian, and comedian from Northern Ireland. With skill and aplomb, Rollins lilts the gospel by shattering barriers and awakening souls. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Learn more.
 

Church Anew: Master Class in Communication

Monday, May 11-Tuesday, May 12
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie

Church Anew, a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, welcomes clergy, church staff and volunteers to learn better communication tools from world class communicators. Rob Bell has been profiled in the New Yorker, has toured with Oprah and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine in 2011. Peter Rollins is an acclaimed philosopher, theologian and comedian from Northern Ireland. Workshops will cover turning an idea into a book, communications and feelings, an actor's trick bag, listening with emotional intelligence and more. Early bird pricing by March 15 is $169 per person; group registration discounts for five or more are available. Learn more.
 

2020 Duluth Lynching Remembrance

June 15, 6:00pm
Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Duluth

On June 15, 1920, nearly 10,000 participants and onlookers lined the streets of Duluth as these three men were lynched. The community all but covered it up. Photos, articles, and stories were stored away and remembered by few. The men themselves were buried in unmarked graves. It took over 70 years for the story to be revisited as a community. A group of historians, educators, and activists located their graves and began to remember those men each year. The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Committee was formed. An effort was made to erect a memorial at the intersection where these men were lynched. 10,000 residents and visitors are invited to the memorial to listen to Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative. Learn more about the event.
 

 

Beyond Our Region

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days

April 24-27
Washington, DC

Join us for this important gathering of Christian advocates and activists. As we gather together in 2020, we will join in worship, delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day, and lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. Further, EAD 2020 will be an opportunity for advocates to connect with each other, build networks and recharge their batteries for the ongoing struggle for global justice and peace. 
** unsubscribe from this list (https://mnchurches.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=ff1a18d6719a73acfec6d7620&id=be631e6fa4&t=b&e=[UNIQID]&c=0238012845)
Copyright © 2020 Minnesota Council of Churches, All rights reserved.