Interfaith Event: Break the Ramadan Fast

  Sponsored by RSVP's partner, The St Paul Area Council of Churches:

Have ever been curious about Muslim practice?

You are invited to share in the breaking of the Ramadan fast at either of the these two St. Paul area Muslim facilities:

• -Friday, July 19,  7:30 pm.--Masjid Ihsan--955 West Minnehaha Ave, St. Paul 

• Thursday, July 25, 8:00 pm-- Muslim American Society of Minnesota, 4100 East 66th Street, Inver Grove Heights  

This is part of our Taking Heart program, organized by the Minnesota Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, designed to bring Muslims and non-Muslims together for conversation and food so that neighbors can get to know neighbors.  We have been doing this Ramadan program for the last three years.  This year we have 15 mosques involved and will greet more than 300 guests at the various open houses.

You are invited to come to the mosque, hear a short presentation on Ramadan, observe prayer and share in the evening meal with the people at the mosque.  There is no charge and you will receive instructions about what to expect at the mosque when you register.   

If you have ever been curious about Muslim practice, or if you are Muslim and want an opportunity to share your practice with your non-Muslim friends, please come and bring others.  We have plenty of room.

Here’s how to register:  http://www.mnchurches.org/respectfulcommunities/interfaithprogramming/takingheart/registration.html

Please forward to others you think may be interested.

Thanks,

Gail Anderson,   Minnesota Council of Churches

Food Shelf Help Needed

Beat Cabin Fever by Lending a Hand

Each February, volunteer participation drops by 20%. Meanwhile, demand in some areas is up by 25%. Your help is necessary now more than ever to get food to the people who need it most this winter.  RSVP partners have a variety of locations and opportunities.

Volunteers needed--RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities that support hunger relief. Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Whatever it takes-- Patricia Lull, Saint Paul Area Council of Churches                          

The January food delivery from Second Harvest came on a day we were short staffed in the Department of Indian Work [Food Shelf]. Sick days and jury duty had called several away. The truck arrived late in the day, minutes after other volunteers had to leave. We were a remnant crew – five women, one man. 

The man and I unloaded the pallets at the door and carried frozen meat, canned goods, and lots of fresh produce into the building. The others sorted and shelved the food, which is so precious to the American Indian participants at our food shelf.

Each trip my co-worker carried two or three boxes for each one I hoisted. As the second of five pallets was unloaded, he said – Whatever it takes! I realized that he was telling me to just keep plugging along.

As the driver unloaded the third pallet, a car with more volunteers arrived. A long afternoon’s task was made much lighter. When all the food was stored away and the cardboard boxes carried to the recycling bin, I thanked the man who had worked tirelessly for two hours. With a broad grin he replied, “I do this for the community.”