jerad's blog

How MCC has strengthened the ministry of my multicultural church plant

Stylized illustrated people outdoors smiling at the viewer beneat a Give to the Max Day logo

[Editor's note: This guest blog from Rev. Melissa Melnick Gonzalez illustrates how local congregations are equipped in so many ways by the programs of Minnesota Council of Churches. Rev. Gonzalez' church plant, Tapestry, has directly or indirectly been supported by MCC Respectful Conversations, the grants promoted in the MCC newsletter, MCC Refugee Services staff connection, and the audiences who read News for the Common Good. The experience of Tapestry's ecumenical congregation presents a perfect microcosm of how Minnesota Council of Churches helps to manifest unity in the body of Christ and build the common good in the world.]

What is an installation service? Rev. Alanna Simone Tyler and Bishop Regina Hassanally

Video title card has purple background, images of a black woman and a white woman speaking to an audience

Elder Suzanne P. Kelly was installed as CEO of Minnesota Council of Churches in a service at Shiloh Temple International Ministries in Minneapolis on October 22, 2024.

Rev. Alanna Simone Tyler of Minneapolis' Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Bishop Regina Hassanally of the Southeast Minnesota Synod ELCA spoke about the purpose of an installation service.

Hope in the face of horror // Guidance from Respectful Conversations

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.

Reduce the Rancor

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 with whom they disagree.

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