Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Voices for Climate Song Circle - January 2023
2023-01-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Climate Justice Art Hub, 2500 W. University Ave, St. Paul
Join our inaugural Voices for Climate Song Circle with a special singing art build! No need to be a “singer” or an “artist.” This will be a fun event where all are welcome, including kids and families!
Sarina Partridge will lead simple songs to build community, and artists will help us create signs and banners. This protest art will be used at a big rally at the MN State Capitol on February 15 as we push for an ambitious climate justice legislative agenda.
Art materials will be provided. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a bit paint-y. Meet at the Climate Justice Art Hub, 2500 W. University Ave., St. Paul. Come for a little while or stay the whole afternoon. Please register so we can let you know if there are any updates to the event.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Voices for Climate is a monthly in-person song circle led by Sarina Partridge, MNIPL’s Songleader and Organizer. They will alternate locations between the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota. In this circle, we sing for joy and connection, not performance or perfection. All voices are welcome. No need to read music or think of yourself as a “singer” to participate! Come meet others, sing together, and learn about climate justice action we can plug into. Click here to learn more about the series.

Be the Spark Winter 2023
2023-01-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-01-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
Ready to go big for the earth in 2023? MNIPL’s Be the Spark program is a great way to bring your team together for climate action. Get tools and practices that help you inspire your congregation, focus your purpose, and identify tangible actions for successes you can celebrate. We use real case studies from the climate movement to help you explore a variety of methods for engaging your faith or spiritual community.
This training is aligned with MNIPL’s 2023 statewide Indigenous and Faith Leader legislative agenda. Be ready to take coordinated action at this special moment of opportunity in Minnesota’s history.
Our Be the Spark Winter 2023 series meets online from 6:30-8:30 pm on four Thursday evenings: January 19 and 26, February 9 and 16. The suggested donation is $100/person, or whatever is a meaningful or affordable amount for you to contribute. Everyone is welcome to attend at any donation level!
Encourage others to join you! You really can be the spark that leads your faith or spiritual community to deeper climate action.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Reparations: Why now and why MNIPL?
2023-01-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
In our climate justice work, we often talk about divestment from dangerous and destructive systems, but what can we invest in? Reparations are a deep part of our commitment to healing in the world. The systems that exploit fossil fuels at our expense were built through enslaved labor and Native land theft. Reparations are intertwined with climate justice, and we’re excited to explore what this means for our movement with you!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This is the 2nd session in our four-part Reparations Learning Table for individuals or community teams. Attend any or all of the sessions. They will be held from 12-1 pm, so bring your lunch and join us on or off camera. Through shared learning and conversation, we hope you can feel more confident and empowered to explore your own relationship to reparations and to start reparations conversations with your faith or spiritual community.
Full Series:

January 12: Reparations What are they?
January 26: Reparations: Why now and why MNIPL?
February 9: Reparations: What’s faith got to do with it?
February 23: Reparations: What is your story?

Update on Line 5
2023-01-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
During MNIPL’s policy team meeting, guests Scott Russell and Devon Cupery will give a presentation on the status of the Line 5 pipeline campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin. All are welcome to attend!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Study Circle: "Solar on Schools"
2023-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Interested in learning more about legislation around economic development and climate justice? MNIPL is hosting study circles on two legislative bills that we want passed in 2023. Join our study group on January 18 to learn about the “Solar on Schools” bill.
This bill was originally passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2021 with grants added in 2022 for up to 80 schools in 45 school districts to have solar energy on their rooftops or adjacent land. However, the bill was far too restrictive with complicated rules and limitations. Although a great idea, it was insufficient legislation.
MNIPL and our coalition are pushing a new and improved bill that will provide inclusive opportunities for every school district in Minnesota to go solar — especially in low-income and rural districts. We want to break down barriers and ensure equity is at the heart of the process.
Join this online study group to understand the historical context, economic issues, the nuances of the proposed legislation, why we are interested in this bill, and how you and your community can be involved.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
We also welcome you to register for and attend the “Green Bank” study group on February 1.

Reparations: What are they?
2023-01-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Learn about the movement for reparations in the United States, including how reparations with Black and Indigenous communities may differ, and how reparations are related to but different from charity. Through this shared experience, we will explore how a tool called the Reparatory Eco Map can help us move from conceptual discussions about reparations to concrete action.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This is the 1st session in our four-part Reparations Learning Table for individuals or community teams. Attend any or all of the sessions. They will be held from 12-1 pm, so bring your lunch and join us on or off camera. Through shared learning and conversation, we hope you can feel more confident and empowered to explore your own relationship to reparations and to start reparations conversations with your faith or spiritual community.
Full Series:

January 12: Reparations What are they?
January 26: Reparations: Why now and why MNIPL?
February 9: Reparations: What’s faith got to do with it?
February 23: Reparations: What is your story?

Indigenous and Faith Leaders United for a Bold Climate Justice Agenda
2023-01-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
We’ve got the power! Let’s build the world we know is possible. Join faith and Indigenous leaders as we roll out a bold legislative agenda for 2023 that will center Indigenous leadership, drive equity, demand 100% clean renewable electricity, and leverage federal dollars to put Minnesotans to work rebuilding our energy infrastructure.
Come hear about our joint platform and leave with tools to build power in your community to usher in a new world. Speakers include:

Winona LaDuke, Executive Director, Honor the Earth
Patricia Torres Ray
Jim Bear Jacobs, Co-director for Racial Justice, Minnesota Council of Churches; MNIPL board co-chair
Robert Blake, Executive Director, Native Sun
Julia Nerbonne, Executive Director, MNIPL
Sara Wolff, Strategic Policy Director, MNIPL
Juventino Meza, Legislative Affairs Organizer, MNIPL

This event is co-sponsored by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, Honor the Earth, Jewish Community Action, Minnesota Council of Churches, Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), EcoFaith Network of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA, Episcopal Church in Minnesota, and Native Sun Community Power Development.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

No Xcel Rate Hike
2023-01-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Energy is at the heart of neighborhood economic health and well-being in St. Paul and in all parts of our state. And yet, Xcel Energy wants to raise residential electricity rates by 21%!
Join us for this webinar to learn more about this rate increase, network with others, brainstorm ways to get the word out, and take immediate action by sending a public comment to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The PUC’s public commenting period closes at 4:30 pm on Friday, January 6, so it’s urgent that we get as many people as possible to say no to this rate hike!
We need to ensure Xcel does not raise everyone’s rates just to increase its profits. Instead, let’s encourage investments to protect our most vulnerable communities and increase access to affordable, renewable energy resources.
This event brings together multiple faith communities in and around St. Paul. Please join us and invite others!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Co-sponsored by MNIPL and the Act for the Earth Ministry Team at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul.

Water and Stars: A Winter Solstice Action
2022-12-21 | Anywhere
Water and Stars began in 2020 as an invitation by Indigenous leaders at the RISE Coalition and Honor the Earth during the pipeline resistance movement. It has since become an annual practice to bring our collective energy together in prayer, reflection, and intetion as we honor sacred waters on the darkest night of the year.
On this Winter Solstice 2022, we continue to rebuke all extractive projects and offer a shared dream of a just and sustainable future based on connection and transformation.
Everyone is invited to be part of this solstice action, and you can participate from anywhere!
Here’s what we’re asking you to do:

We hope you can participate at sunset on the 21st, but please pick the time that works best for you!
Find a quiet spot in your home, somewhere outdoors, or a space near a body of water. Perhaps invite friends or members of your faith or spiritual community to join you.
Offer a prayer, spiritual practice, song, reflection, ritual, or whatever feels meaningful from your faith/spiritual tradition or life. You can also use our special Water and Stars Solstice Guide 2022. It was written for people from many different faiths, traditions, religions, and spiritual practices, and for those who do not identify in this way. We updated it this year with songs from Sarina Partridge.
Post about your solstice water offering on social media. Tag MNIPL and use the hashtag #solsticewater.
Share photos or videos from your offering with MNIPL by emailing sarina@mnipl.org.

Related Event:
If you are in the Twin Cities, you are welcome to also join us at Hidden Falls Regional Park on Sunday, December 18 for Solstice Songs for the Water.

Shine a Light on Community Justice: A Hannukah Program
2022-12-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Shir Tikvah, 1360 W Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, 55419
During three nights of Hannukah, Shir Tikvah is collaborating with community organizations to light the menorah and learn about local justice initiatives. MNIPL is proud to be part of the first night of this event to light the 2nd candle and offer songleading with Sarina Partridge.
Come enjoy the light of the menorah and the power that’s alive in our community. Join in-person at Shir Tikvah or online by Zoom.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Solstice Songs for the Water
2022-12-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Hidden Falls Regional Park, 1313 Hidden Falls Dr., St. Paul, MN, 55116, United States
Gather with others by the Mississippi River to offer songs and prayers to the life-giving water and welcome in the solstice time. As we approach the darkest day of the year, let us sit with the darkness and be present to the turning. Come be together, singing in healing and wholeness.
We will be guided in song by Sarina Partridge. We’ve also invited area Indigenous leaders.
Since this will be an outdoor song circle and ceremony, please bundle up! Use the Magoffin Ave. entrance and park in the lot closest to the boat launch. Click here for a park map.
We ask that people register so that we can contact you with any updates to the event, especially due to weather. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
You are also invited to participate in Water and Stars: A Winter Solstice Action on December 21. This has become an annual event to bring our collective energy together in prayer, reflection, and spiritual practice as we honor sacred waters. You can be part of this from anywhere either on your own or by inviting friends or members of your community to join you.

Photo by Tony Webster/ CC BY-NC-SA

Policy Office Hours
2022-12-14 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Sara Wolff, MNIPL’s Strategic Policy Director, holds regular online office hours. This is an unstructured opportunity for anyone who wasn’t able to join the policy team meeting, wants to catch-up, plug-in, or talk with Sara about all things policy and advocacy.
Just click this Zoom link anytime during the scheduled event. No registration is required. If you have any questions, email sara@mnipl.org.

Prioritize Justice: Xcel Energy's Rate Hike
2022-12-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Energy is at the heart of neighborhood economic health and well-being, and yet Xcel Energy wants to raise residential electricity rates by 21%!
Come learn more about this rate hike and take immediate action by sending a public comment to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Help us ensure Xcel does not raise everyone’s rates just to increase its profits. Instead, encourage investments to protect our most vulnerable communities and increase access to affordable, renewable energy resources.
Co-leading this session is Joshua Lewis, MNIPL climate justice organizer; Timothy Dunherder-Thomas, co-founder of Cooperative Energy Futures; and Jenna Warmuth, the Midwest Regional Director of Vote Solar.

This event is co-sponsored by MNIPL, MN350, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Minneapolis Residents:
This is part of a 2-session evening of prioritizing justice for climate and energy. If you live in Minneapolis, we encourage you to join us at 7 pm to learn about the People’s Climate and Equity Plan for Minneapolis. The Zoom link is the same, so you can simply stay in the meeting and attend the full webinar. Click here to register if you’re joining us at 7 pm.

Prioritize Justice: People's Climate & Equity Plan for Minneapolis
2022-12-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Minneapolis faith groups are coming together to create community and to put our hope into action by supporting the People’s Climate and Equity Plan. This is a plan that sets bold goals for a just transition to a renewable energy future and creates a robust fund to address our climate and racial equity crises simultaneously.
Come uncover methods for how you can participate in this important work and network with others who are exploring avenues of change. We will have time to break into small groups for discussion as well as take immediate action by calling our respective city council members to encourage their support of the People’s Climate & Equity Plan.
Co-leading this session is Ulla Nilsen, senior organizer with MN350. Joining her is the Rev. Martha Bardwell, lead pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis. For the last several months, Martha has been involved in organizing for the People’s Climate and Equity Plan in Ward 5 of North Minneapolis where she lives with her family. Also co-leading is Brooke Roper, M.Ed., a community partnership and social impact consultant with Thrive Ed and a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

This event is co-sponsored by MNIPL, MN350, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This is the first of a 2-part evening of prioritizing justice for climate and energy. We encourage you to stay for the 8 pm session on Xcel Energy’s proposed 21% rate hike for residential electricity customers.
Energy is at the heart of neighborhood economic health and well-being. Come learn more about this rate hike and take immediate action by sending a public comment to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Help us ensure Xcel does not raise everyone’s rates just to increase its profits. Instead, encourage investments to protect our most vulnerable communities and increase access to affordable, renewable energy resources.
Leading this session is Joshua Lewis, MNIPL climate justice organizer.

Policy Team Meeting
2022-12-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Want to help advocate at the federal, state, and local levels for policy initiatives that address the climate crisis? If you are interested in mobilizing communities of faith and spirituality to push for a healthy and equitable climate future, please join us.
A team of volunteers and staff meets online one Monday a month from 6:30-8 pm to advance climate justice, from our own communities to across the globe. Come for one meeting or join us regularly. Everyone is welcome!
Contact Sara Wolff at sara@mnipl.org or click this Zoom link to join a scheduled meeting.

Community Connector Webinar - Canceled
2022-12-06 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
UPDATE: Our December Community Connector webinar has been canceled. Please join us in 2023 for our January webinar!

On the 1st Tuesday of each month, we deepen into a different topic related to climate justice. Through shared learning and conversation, we hope you can feel more confident and empowered to help grow the climate movement.
All are welcome to attend MNIPL’s Community Connector webinars! Whether it’s with a community of faith or spiritual practice, neighborhood group, circle of friends, etc., we are all community connectors!
Save the date for this month’s webinar. We’ll update the calendar as soon as details emerge. Have an idea for a topic or guest speaker? Let us know at outreach@mnipl.org!

Muslim Climate Action Circle
2022-11-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Join this online community conversation that reflects on climate justice topics through the lens of Islam. MCAC meets on the 4th Sundays at 4:00 pm and is open to people from all religious traditions and spiritual practices.
To register or if you have any questions, please contact Whitney Terrill, whitney@mnipl.org.
