Blogs

This weekend's shooting at a campaign rally was horrifying and our nation is at an inflection point. Over 12 years of MCC Respectful Conversations there are elements of our design and practice that can inform how we act which are highlighted by some specifics of this moment, including remembering that there can be potentially toxic division in any group, that slowing ourselves and our responses down is healthy, and that having a goal when you go into an interaction will help you know what you want to get out of it. The best news is that hundreds of thousands of Americans are working for a hopeful future and fighting toxic polarization. Through MCC and our partners you can be part of that movement.

The Minnesota Council of Churches Board of Directors is proud to announce that after a national search a new CEO has been selected.

Burnsville Respectful Conversation table participants pose for picture

Part of the body of Christ recently canceled a panel on polarization because members were polarized about the inclusion of a speaker. The news highlights the problem of polarization within Christian communities and reminds us all about the resources we have to address it.

MCC CEO Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung stands in front of a stone wall

Reflections on My Leadership Journey for Racial Justice


by Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Co-CEO, Minnesota Council of Churches

MN DFL head Ken Martin and MN GOP head David Hann sit being interviewed by Braver Angels' Bill Doherty

Would you believe that neither the head of Minnesota’s GOP nor its DFL party think of their counterparts as “enemies?” The word – and the existential threat, the need to eliminate that it implies – is one both leaders actively avoid using when referring to people

More than eight million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since the Russian invasion. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, about 300 people have been admitted as humanitarian parolees to Minnesota.

*** UPDATE: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 15 ***

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2024

 

I have been to Palestine and Israel five times since 2006. During the first days after the shocking and horrific attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel, I paused from making a statement out of respect for Jewish-led processes of grief.

An older man's hands are handcuffed behind his back

Support political prisoners in Russia

“I was in prison and you came to me.” -Matthew 25:36b

One person giving another person what looks like an "I voted" sticker, but the close-up of the sticker reads "Election Day Communion" instead

Since 2012 churches have been practicing communion on election day. In 2023 congregations have a unique opportunity: Sunday, November 5 is exactly one year before Election Day 2024.

 Our Prayers Heard ‘Round the World

Minnesota Council of Churches and the 2023 International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

October 23, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Anthony

 

Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs, Co-Director of Racial Justice, and Racial Justice Administrative Assistant Phoebe McGowan in front of the MCC table in the Capitol Rotunda

MCC’s Racial Justice Program celebrated the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington at the Minnesota Capital on Monday, August 28th, with Beacon Housing Interfaith Collaborative.

Our CEO and Minnesota's Attorney General have both released books about their leadership in two sectors of Minnesota - faith and law - in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. Join them for a brown-bag lunch and public conversation about their books in August!

Minnesota Council of Churches continued its Truth and Reparations series with "Shifting the Spotlight," featuring Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III and the Sounds of Blackness (edited out for copyright reasons).

Since 2012 Minnesota Council of Churches has equipped faith and other communities to manage conflict and depolarize arguments with Respectful Conversations.

In times of crisis and chaos, faith communities regularly find ourselves on the front lines. We are often trusted peacemakers and mediators with our members, communities, and local officials.

Photo collage of Afghan family (Father, mother, son, and daughters)

Note: The message below was written by two members of the Sadat Family Welcome Coalition — a group consisting of members of the Eastern Twin Cities Islamic Center, The Minnesota Council of Churches, Boutwell’s Landing, and Ascension Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran churches — on the fir

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This weekend's shooting at a campaign rally was horrifying and our nation is at an inflection point. Over 12 years of MCC Respectful Conversations there are elements of our design and practice that can inform how we act which are highlighted by some specifics of this moment, including remembering that there can be potentially toxic division in any group, that slowing ourselves and our responses down is healthy, and that having a goal when you go into an interaction will help you know what you want to get out of it. The best news is that hundreds of thousands of Americans are working for a hopeful future and fighting toxic polarization. Through MCC and our partners you can be part of that movement.

The Minnesota Council of Churches Board of Directors is proud to announce that after a national search a new CEO has been selected.

Burnsville Respectful Conversation table participants pose for picture

Part of the body of Christ recently canceled a panel on polarization because members were polarized about the inclusion of a speaker. The news highlights the problem of polarization within Christian communities and reminds us all about the resources we have to address it.

MCC CEO Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung stands in front of a stone wall

Reflections on My Leadership Journey for Racial Justice


by Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Co-CEO, Minnesota Council of Churches

MN DFL head Ken Martin and MN GOP head David Hann sit being interviewed by Braver Angels' Bill Doherty

Would you believe that neither the head of Minnesota’s GOP nor its DFL party think of their counterparts as “enemies?” The word – and the existential threat, the need to eliminate that it implies – is one both leaders actively avoid using when referring to people

More than eight million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since the Russian invasion. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, about 300 people have been admitted as humanitarian parolees to Minnesota.

*** UPDATE: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 15 ***

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2024

 

I have been to Palestine and Israel five times since 2006. During the first days after the shocking and horrific attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel, I paused from making a statement out of respect for Jewish-led processes of grief.

An older man's hands are handcuffed behind his back

Support political prisoners in Russia

“I was in prison and you came to me.” -Matthew 25:36b

One person giving another person what looks like an "I voted" sticker, but the close-up of the sticker reads "Election Day Communion" instead

Since 2012 churches have been practicing communion on election day. In 2023 congregations have a unique opportunity: Sunday, November 5 is exactly one year before Election Day 2024.

 Our Prayers Heard ‘Round the World

Minnesota Council of Churches and the 2023 International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

October 23, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Anthony

 

Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs, Co-Director of Racial Justice, and Racial Justice Administrative Assistant Phoebe McGowan in front of the MCC table in the Capitol Rotunda

MCC’s Racial Justice Program celebrated the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington at the Minnesota Capital on Monday, August 28th, with Beacon Housing Interfaith Collaborative.

Our CEO and Minnesota's Attorney General have both released books about their leadership in two sectors of Minnesota - faith and law - in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. Join them for a brown-bag lunch and public conversation about their books in August!

Minnesota Council of Churches continued its Truth and Reparations series with "Shifting the Spotlight," featuring Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III and the Sounds of Blackness (edited out for copyright reasons).

Since 2012 Minnesota Council of Churches has equipped faith and other communities to manage conflict and depolarize arguments with Respectful Conversations.

In times of crisis and chaos, faith communities regularly find ourselves on the front lines. We are often trusted peacemakers and mediators with our members, communities, and local officials.

Photo collage of Afghan family (Father, mother, son, and daughters)

Note: The message below was written by two members of the Sadat Family Welcome Coalition — a group consisting of members of the Eastern Twin Cities Islamic Center, The Minnesota Council of Churches, Boutwell’s Landing, and Ascension Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran churches — on the fir

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