Spirit of Water: A Celebration with Mississippi River
Join us July 25–26, 2025, for a celebration with Mississippi River! Together, we will connect, learn, pray, engage, play, celebrate, and honor the spirit of water. This year’s event will take place over two days!
On Friday, July 25, we are meeting at United’s campus (or online) from 3:00–5:30 PM CT for an educational afternoon and evening. Afternoon workshops will focus on water protection, ecological justice, and more. After the sessions, we will offer a light dinner for participants.
In the evening, starting at 7:00 PM, we will hear from two scientists and Anishinaabeg leaders in climate justice work: Leanna Goose, a co-facilitator of the Rise & Repair Coalition and 2024 Storyteller, and Dawn Goodwin, co-founder of R.I.S.E. Coalition. They will speak about issues related to climate justice, water protection, and Indigenous water rights.
Friday, July 25 | 3:00–8:30 PM
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
767 N Eustis St, #140, St. Paul, MN 55114
2:30–3:00 PM — Arrival / Check-In / Tech Support
3:00–3:15 PM — Welcome & Opening Remarks – Spirit of Water organizers
Orientation to workshops and locations
Paula Maccabee (WaterLegacy)
“Protecting Water from Toxic Sulfide Mining: Advocacy & Action”
James Birr & Carmen Carruthers (Citizens Utility Board of MN)
“Decarbonizing Your Home: Electrification 101”
Mitch Nelson (Pastor and 2020 United Alum)
“Christian Spiritual Ecology”
4:15–4:30 PM — Break (15 minutes)
4:30–5:30 PM — Workshop Session II (concurrent workshops)
Lindsay Potter (Nukewatch)
“Nuclear Greenwashing – Protecting Our Clean Water, Air, and Land and Demanding Community EmPOWERment”
Kaden Colten (United Student)
“Water, Disability, & Community Care”
Emily Meyer (The Ministry Lab and 2009 United alum)
“Woven Together: Watersheds, Spiritual Communities, and Resilience”
On Saturday, July 26, we will meet at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul from 1:00–5:00 PM. While there, we and our partners will host a community celebration that features speakers, music, booths, food, art, and play areas.
Saturday, July 26 | 1:00–5:00 PM
Hidden Falls Regional Park
1:00–1:15 PM — Opening Welcome
1:15–1:30 PM — Orientation to the Celebration
Overview of the afternoon and introduction to the booths.
Invitation to explore, participate, and connect throughout the day.
1:30–2:00 PM — Music Set #1: Eòin Small (Part 1)
2:00–2:10 PM — Campaign Update: Friends of the BWCA
2:10–2:30 PM — Music Set #1: Eòin Small (Part 2)
2:30–2:45 PM — Artist Reflection: Sandy Spieler
2:45–3:05 PM — Water Movement Workshop: Emily Jarrett Hughes
3:05–3:20 PM — Campaign Update: Nukewatch / Nuclear-Free Mississippi
3:20–3:40 PM — Community Voices: R.I.S.E. Coalition
3:40–4:10 PM — Music Set #2: Sunni Leilani (Part 1)
4:10–4:20 PM — Campaign Update: Tamarack Water Alliance
4:20–4:40 PM — Music Set #2: Sunni Leilani (Part 2)
4:40–4:50 PM — Collective Gratitude
4:50–5:00 PM — Closing Circle
These partners are co-presenting the event:
- Resilient Indigenous Sisters Engaging (R.I.S.E. Coalition)
- Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
- Friends of the Mississippi River
Now in its third year, this event is designed to highlight the care and responsibility involved in protecting and sharing valuable water resources, like Mississippi River. Too often, infrastructure and institutions hide our water resources. Our focus centers on 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.
Please register for this event in the form below!
