Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Voices for Climate Song Circle - December 2023
2023-12-03 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Twin Cities Friends Meeting (Quaker), 1725 Grand Ave, St Paul
Join our December Voices for Climate Song Circle in person at Twin Cities Friends Meeting. The event will be preceded by a community meal from 12:30 – 1:30 pm.
No need to be a “singer;” all voices welcome, including kids! Sarina Partridge will lead simple songs that all can join, and help us experience the joy, hope, and community that is possible through music-making!
Please register for so we can let you know of 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.

The State of Global Repair
2023-11-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
We need you to show your support for the people and organizations that are pushing our government to honor its commitment to create a Loss and Damage Fund — and to put the fund in the hands of those countries most effected by climate disruption.
Join us in a national call-to-action with Rep. Ilhan Omar hosted by MNIPL, Justice is Global, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Action Aid, where you’ll learn about the state of play in 2023, the ever-growing importance of committing to global repair, and how to take action.
Rep. Ilhan Omar will share how she is challenging her colleagues in Congress to make good on Loss and Damage. Brandon Wu at Action Aide and Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists will share expertise on the need for global repair, and you’ll hear from youth from Cameroon to the Philippines who will tell stories of their activism in repairing the places they’ve called home.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Reparations Learning Lab: November 15, 2023
2023-11-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Thank you for signing up to be part of the Reparations Learning Labs! These sessions will build a community of doers who are committed to repairing the harms of colonization through action. Being a part of these labs will help support your commitment to the forever work of decolonizing yourselves and your communities.
This session’s focus is to-be-determined.
These learning labs are geared towards white folks who are committed to taking action — BIPOC folks who are interested in that work are also welcome!
This session is free to attend, but we will ask that everyone who participates commits to doing something — either making a donation to support our BIPOC Reparations Advisory Table or by sharing our reparations work with a friend or neighbor.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Rise + Repair 2024 Launch
2023-11-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Along with many community partners, we are gearing up for the 2024 Legislative Session.
Join us to learn more about how Rise and Repair can be a vehicle for you to achieve your legislative priorities next year and for Minnesotans of faith across Minnesota to amplify and support Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice with their elected officials.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

A Call for Global Repair
2023-11-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Join MNIPL and our partners at ActionAid USA for an important presentation and discussion on international climate justice!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Global systems of extraction and greed have exacerbated an unequal world, one where the countries who have benefited least face the most dire consequences of climate change. We believe that in order to address the impacts of global climate change, the countries whose governments and corporations have caused the most harm to the planet and its people must pay their fair share to repair it.
Staff and board members of MNIPL will share about how our organization has taken action to redress global harms, from helping to rebuild after floods in Bangladesh to working with local, national, and international organizers in successfully pushing the United States to commit to funding for global repair.
Special guest Brandon Wu of ActionAid will share about what has happened over the last year since this funding was committed and talk about where we go from here. Your support is desperately needed to make sure the US makes good on its promises and commits to funding repair in way that ensures that those most impacted by climate change decide what repair looks like for them — not the US.
Come for a light lunch and dialogue and leave with a renewed promise to help the US to show up globally in a way that promotes justice and peace.

Community Connector Circle - 1st Tuesday
2023-11-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Do you share information from MNIPL and opportunities to act for climate justice with your congregation, community, or team in any way? We invite you to be part of our Community Connector Circle! In this working group, we’ll share ideas, ask questions, celebrate successes, and get to know each other.
We meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 4 pm. Come as often as you like! No registration is required. Simply click this link to join.

Voices for Climate Song Circle - November 2023
2023-11-05 16:00 - 17:00 | United Theological Seminary, 767 N. Eustis St. #140, St. Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Join our November Voices for Climate Song Circle either in person at United Theological Seminary or on Zoom.
No need to be a “singer;” all voices welcome, including kids! Sarina Partridge will lead simple songs that all can join, and help us experience the joy, hope, and community that is possible through music-making!
Please register for the Zoom link and so we can let you know of any updates to the event. Following the song circle, there will be a potluck dinner from 5 – 6:30 pm for those at United. Bring a dish or beverage to share.
Please also keep in mind that November 5 is the day we turn back the clocks back to Standard Time!
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.

Rise + Repair: West Twin Cities Gathering
2023-10-17 18:00 - 19:30 | St. Edward’s Episcopal Church, 865 N Ferdale Rd, Wayzata, MN, 55391, United States
Along with many community partners, we are gearing up for the 2024 Legislative Session.
Join us to learn more about how Rise and Repair can be a vehicle for small organizations to achieve their legislative priorities next year and for Minnesotans across Minnesota to amplify and support Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice during the 2024 Legislative Session.
Special Guest: Rep. Patty Acomb (MN House District 45B)
To register, click here

Reparations Learning Lab: October 11, 2023
2023-10-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Thank you for signing up to be part of the Reparations Learning Labs! This session will build a community of doers who are committed to repairing the harms of colonization through action. Being a part of these labs will help support your commitment to the forever work of decolonizing yourselves and your communities.
This session’s focus is to-be-determined.
These learning labs are geared towards white folks who are committed to taking action — BIPOC folks who are interested in that work are also welcome!
This session is free to attend, but we will ask that everyone who participates commits to doing something — either making a donation to support our BIPOC Reparations Advisory Table or by sharing our reparations work with a friend or neighbor.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Rise + Repair: North Minneapolis Gathering
2023-10-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Reedemer Lutheran Church, 1800 Glendwood Ave, Minneapolis, 55405, United States
Along with many community partners, we are gearing up for the 2024 Legislative Session.
Join us to learn more about how Rise and Repair can be a vehicle for small organizations to achieve their legislative priorities next year and for Minnesotans across Minnesota to amplify and support Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice during the 2024 Legislative Session.
Special Guest: Senator Bobby Joe Champion (Senate District 59)
To register, click here

How We Win: Organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice
2023-09-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Minneapolis Friends Meeting, 4401 York Ave S, Minneapolis, 55410, United States
From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most recent during a climate justice march at the age of 83, George Lakey has committed his life to a mission of building a better world through movements for justice. Lakey’s life and vast experience with nonviolent social change organizing reminds us how to find hope in even the darkest times through strategic, joyful activism. Through a panel conversation with local organizers, Lakey will guide us in an exploration of what it takes to organize successful campaigns that create environmental and climate justice in our community.
Organizer Nazir Khan will discuss the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table’s campaign to shut down the HERC Trash Burner. Joe Vital will share insights from East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s campaign around the Rooftop Depot site. George Lakey will weave in lessons learned from campaigns he’s organized and share stories from his involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and environmental and climate justice. This is an event not to be missed!
Lakey is visiting the Twin Cities as a part of his Dancing with History: A Life For Peace and Justice book tour. His book How We Win! will also be available.
We are so excited to cohost this amazing event! More information available at fnvw.org/georgelakey

Community Connector Circle - 1st Thursday
2023-09-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-08-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-07-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Do you share information from MNIPL and opportunities to act for climate justice with your congregation, community, or team in any way? We invite you to be part of our Community Connector Circle! In this working group, we’ll share ideas, ask questions, celebrate successes, and get to know each other.
We meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 4 pm and on the 1st Thursday at 12 pm. Come as often as you like! No registration is required. Simply click this link to join.

August in-person Community Connector Circle
2023-08-22 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-15 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-08 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-01 16:00 - 18:00
In August, we are offering our Community Connector Circle meetings as in-person events on popular patios around the Twin Cities Metro. These meetings are a great place to network with other congregation leaders working on climate justice, to share ideas and the challenges we face, and to get inspired for this fall. Come join us at the date and place most convenient for you! 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm each time
August 1 – Guavas Cuban Cafe, 5607 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis
August 8 – Silverwood Park Cafe, County Rd E, Saint Anthony
August 15 – Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul
August 22 – Hazelwood Food & Drink, 4450 Excelsior Blvd Suite #120, St Louis Park

Yes, Your Congregation Can Go Solar!
2023-08-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Learn how your congregation can benefit from solar energy and slash its carbon emissions. Get step-by-step details and answers to frequently asked questions. Find out how solar works, how you can get a no-cost solar design and proposal for your congregation, how IRA provisions improve solar’s return on investment, and the various methods for financing for your project. In recent years, MNIPL has helped more than a dozen congregations and nonprofits go solar. With new federal tax credits, we expect to double that number in the next year alone. Join us to be part of the solar movement!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Voices for Climate Song Circle - August
2023-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Grand Marais Campground & Marina, 114 S 8th Ave W, Grand Marais, MN, 55604, United States
Join songleader Sarina Partridge and Grand Marais faith leaders for a Voices for Climate Song Circle in Grand Marais on Wednesday, August 2 at 5pm under the Rec Park picnic shelter on the bay in Grand Marais! All are welcome, including kids and families.
5:00pm – Bring a picnic meal to enjoy
6:00-8:00pm singing!
Sarina will teach original, simple, satisfying songs in a way that is welcoming and accessible to all. Songs will be chosen to help us connect to the seasonal moment, connect with the natural world, and root into our collective power. Singing has been a vital part of social movements for a long time, and there are so many reasons why – singing builds community, lets us practice taking risks and learning together, let’s us have FUN!, and reminds us to listen to each other and that every voice has a place in our movements. Sarina strives to bring more singing into the climate justice movement, and these Voices for Climate Song Circles are part of making that real – come raise your voice!
We will 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.
If you’re curious… What kinds of songs will we sing? Have a listen! We’ll sing original songs Sarina has written for community groups. Some build collective energy (such as “Every Step a Prayer”) and some connect us to the natural world (such as “Of This Earth”). Listen to more of Sarina’s music here.
Click here to learn more about the Voices for Climate series and MNIPL!

A SECOND July Voices for Climate Song Circle
2023-07-30 10:00 - 12:30 | Spirit of Peace / Mills Church, 13215 Minnetonka Dr., Minnetonka, MN, 55305, United States
WHERE: Spirit of Peace/ Mills Church: 13215 Minnetonka Drive Minnetonka, MN 55305
WHEN: Sunday, July 30
10 – 11 ~ Service (with lots of singing!)
11 ~ Lunch – all are welcome to come eat
11:30-12:30ish ~ Voices for Climate Song Circle
Join the Spirit of Peace and Mills Church communities for a welcoming Sunday morning of togetherness and song. Songleader Sarina Partridge will teach original, simple songs that all can sing. No need to read music or see yourself as a “singer”! Come meet others, sing together, and learn about climate justice action we can plug into. Join for all of the morning or just come for lunch and singing. To get a taste of the original songs that Sarina will teach, check out “Every Step a Prayer” or “Of This Earth”. Listen to more of Sarina’s music here. Or click here to learn more.

Voices for Climate Song Circle - July
2023-07-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Good Courage Farm, 21161 York Rd., Hutchinson, MN, 55350, United States
Feed-Your-Farmer Potluck and Community Sing
Saturday, July 29, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Good Courage Farm
21161 York Rd, Hutchinson, MN 55350
This Feed-Your-Farmer Potluck and community gathering is a wonderful opportunity to show gratitude and support for southern MN farmers who grow good food. Community members provide the food and farmers are invited to to come and enjoy an evening off from cooking. Sarina Partridge, Community Songleader from MN Interfaith Power and Light, will lead the gathering in song. Good Courage Farm is a regenerative fruit farm and home to a non-profit agrarian ministry affiliated with The Episcopal Church in Minnesota — www.goodcourage.farm. Come meet farmers and kindred spirits who champion a resilient local foodshed!
Register by emailing deacon@goodcourage.farm. Note in your email if you are able to provide a dish.

Spirit of Water
2023-07-15 09:30 - 19:00
Join us on July 15 for a celebration with Mississippi River! Come gather to connect, learn, pray, engage, play, celebrate, and honor the spirit of water.
The event is designed to highlight the care and responsibility involved in protecting and sharing valuable water resources—like Mississippi River—that in today’s world are often hidden by infrastructure and institutions. We will focus of themes of gratitude, celebration, unity, coming together, the commonality of water as a presence in our life, reverence, respect, and honor for our water and all that is sacred.
MORNING SESSION | United Seminary, St. Paul
Come to United’s St. Paul Campus at 9:30 a.m. to start the day. After an opening ritual prayer, attendees will be able to attend workshops, participate in activities, and listen to talks about the importance of water, threats to water, and ways in which we can work to protect water. Refreshments will be available and lunch will be served at noon.
Register for the morning session at this link!
AFTERNOON SESSION | Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
At 2:00 p.m., meet us at Hidden Falls Regional Park—just five miles (mostly south) from United. On the bank of Mississippi River, we will have a community celebration. There will be speakers, music, information booths, food, art, and play areas for children.
Register for the afternoon session at this link!
EVENT CO-PRESENTERS
This event is co-presented by the following partners:

Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
The Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Resilient Indigenous Sisters Engaging (R.I.S.E. Coalition)
Rights of Mississippi River
Friends of the Mississippi River

Want to get involved? Fill out an interest form today!

Community Connector Circle - 1st Tuesday
2023-07-04 16:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom

MNCIFA Celebration!
2023-06-26 16:30 - 18:30 | The Coliseum Building, 2708 E Lake St., Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
We’ve had a lot to celebrate this legislative session, and here’s another reason to keep dancing — the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority was created and fully funded with $45 million!
MNCIFA is a state funding authority that will help communities, families, and businesses access money for renewable energy and other green projects. This innovative “green bank” was designed with equity and climate justice at its core. No one should be left behind in the transition to our greener future! MNCIFA will ensure everyone has access to the technical assistance and upfront funding needed to center equity and scale up our energy transition for climate justice.
Come celebrate with us!
Join us on Monday, June 26, to thank the MNCIFA bill authors, Representative Emma Greenman and Senator Tou Xiong, other legislative champions, and the coalition of organizational partners and people who came together to make MNCIFA happen!
Whether you can be with us in person or in spirit, we want to express our deep gratitude for your tireless work and companionship on this journey. Let us mark this moment for all that is to follow.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Event Details
The event will be held at the historic Coliseum Building and Hall at 2708 E Lake St. in Minneapolis. Located in the heart of the George Floyd uprisings, this building is under renovation which will include adding solar to serve the community.
Because this is a construction site, covered footwear is recommended. We will be gathering under a tent on a gravel parking area.
Street and lot parking is available nearby.

This event is hosted by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light and CURE, with support from Intermill Land History Consulting and the co-sponsors below:

Additional support provided by the organizational partners associated with the Rise and Repair agenda and MNCIFA legislative effort.

Faith leaders on Earth - a multi-faith panel
2023-06-13 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Join our faith leader panel as they introduce us to the jewels of their tradition’s teachings on care for the earth. Panelists: Dr. Prasad Bastodkar, Hindu Society of Minnesota; Payton Hoegh, Episcopal Los Angeles and Center for Spirituality in Nature; Rabbi Ricky Kamil Temple Israel, Minneapolis and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative; Rev. Onryu Laura Kennedy, Buddhist priest / teacher; Lóre Stevens, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
It is common knowledge that many faith traditions offer wisdom about humans’ relationship with the earth, but what are the specifics? For example, what does Hinduism teach, and how might that be different from Jewish wisdom? How does Buddhism guide its followers about nature? Is Christian teaching about the earth different from its cultural U.S. practice? Join us for a rich time of sharing, discussion, and insight.
More about our panelists:
Rev. Onryu Laura Kennedy (she/her) is a white, converted Buddhist settler on Dakota and Anishinabee homelands committed to untangling the karma of genocide by engaging her Buddhist practice. She has received transmission in both the Katagiri Roshi’s and Uchiyama Roshi’s Soto Zen lineage. From 2010-2021 she was one of the leaders at Clouds in Water Zen Center. In spring of 2020 she was the shuso (leading monk for the practice period) for the practice period at Toshoji International Zen Center. She has completed a year long Engaged Buddhist training at Upaya Zen Center, and her application for being a recognized zen teacher in Japan has been accepted. She has an MA in Counseling Psychology and has worked on behalf of children and families for over 22 years.
Rabbi Ricky Kamil (he/him) works on the congregational organizing team serving the western suburbs for Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. He understands housing is a right and is always guided by the idea of Tikkun Olam repairing the world. Ricky also works at Temple Israel of Minneapolis, organizing their justice issues such as the sustainability task force, which has done great work in the congregation and larger community. Ricky is married to the wonderful Rabbi, Rebecca, who works as a chaplain. Together they have an adorable child, Matan, and a very fluffy dog named Feivel. Ricky loves to be outside even when it’s cold.
Patyon Hoegh (he/him) is a postulant in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and holds a Master’s of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology. He works as Spiritual Communities Director for the Center for Spirituality in Nature, a non-profit that provides opportunities for deepening spirituality through nature while nurturing loving relationships with Earth. A member of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, Payton advocates for intentional balance of spiritual reflection, mindfulness, and engagement to renew, inspire, and enrich activism responding to God’s call to care for and nurture reciprocal relationship with Earth. He lives with his wife, Jazmin, and cat, Zooey, in a tiny home on the outskirts of the Angeles National Forest.”
Prasad Bastodkar (he/him) grew up in India and moved to the United States in early 2000. He has lived in Minnesota for most of his life. He is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon by profession. He volunteers at the Hindu Society of Minnesota and leads their Guided Temple Visits. As a practicing Hindu he loves to volunteer at outreach events such as these to discuss what it means to be a Hindu.
Lóre Stevens (rhymes with ‘story’, she/her) is the current ministerial intern at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis, finishing her last stage of training in pursuit of ordination. She has worked at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. She served on the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She was honored to be published in UU World, the magazine of the UUA, on the topic of Food Faith. Lóre is from Tennessee and currently identifies as a bisexual, biracial, atheist, cisgender woman. She enjoys science-fiction, illustrated journaling, and her two cats!

Paving the Way to Justice 40
2023-06-05 08:00 - 13:00 | Metro State University, 700 7th St E, St Paul, MN, 55106
MNIPL is excited to sponsor Paving the Way to Justice 40: Minnesota’s Diverse Voices Forging Equitable Participation in the Future of Clean Energy Forum.
On Monday, June 5, Minnesota’s Environmental Justice advocates are coming together to chart a course forward for full, equitable participation of our state’s Indigenous and BIPOC communities in the rapidly unfolding clean energy revolution.
New Federal investments and State policies have launched an era of investment in clean energy infrastructure, electrification, and decarbonization that will be breathtaking in its scope and speed of advancement.
Join us at Metro State University in St. Paul to learn about these new opportunities and network with the experts shaping these initiatives!
Click here for the event schedule and to register!

Speakers/Presenters
Our Conveners are Senator Tou Xiong, Representative Athena Hollins, and Representative Fue Lee. Our Lead Speaker is Brenda Cassillius, new Executive Director of Fresh Energy Minnesota.
Key presenters include:

Dr. Pete Wyckoff, Assistant Commissioner of Federal and State Initiatives at the Department of Commerce
Nicki Leingang, Constituent Services Director, US Representative Ilhan Omar’s Office
Gabriel Chan, Lead Faculty University of Minnesota Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center
Jose Perez, Hispanics in Energy
Nazir Khan, Campaign Director, Environmental Justice Table
Juventino Meza, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Emilia Avalos, Unidos Minnesota
Pouya Najmaie, Cooperative Energy Futures
and more!

The lunch program will recognize leaders who have significantly contributed to advancing Minnesota’s environmental justice/clean energy policy this year. Lunch is sponsored by the McKnight Foundation.
Sponsors
Funds raised from all sponsors will go to the MNIPL Diverse Communities Outreach Fund. Special thanks to:

Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
Fresh Energy
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Hispanics in Energy
PTR Associates, LLC
McKnight Foundation
Minnesota’s Climate & Environmental Justice Team
Community Power
Unidos MN
Metro State University

Click here to become a sponsor. We’d love to add your organization’s name to the list!
