Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, June 25
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Community Service»Retiring Rev. Quie: Breaking down silos, bringing EP people together
    Community Service

    Retiring Rev. Quie: Breaking down silos, bringing EP people together

    Mark WeberBy Mark WeberJune 21, 2021Updated:June 22, 20213 Mins Read
    The Rev. Joel Quie is looking forward to helping break down Eden Prairie silos after retiring as church pastor. (Photo by Mark Weber)

    The Rev. Joel Quie says he looks at the next step in his life sort of like this: He’s standing on a dock that extends out into a lake. He knows the water will be wet, and cool, but many details remain unknown.

    “I think the next chapter is, I’ve got to jump in,” he says.

    It’s a good bet the next chapter in the life of Quie, who at the end of June is officially retired after leading Prairie Lutheran Church the past 25 years, will involve gathering together people from different backgrounds to, well, mostly talk.

    This is what he did June 9 in holding a public dialogue event with Abdulhamid Sheekh, director of the Eden Prairie Islamic Center. It was two longtime coffee buddies sharing, in a friendly and respectful manner before an audience of about 30 persons, observations about their respective heroes, Jesus and Muhammed.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    And this is the type of gatherings he’s been thinking about for a long time, and passionately for about the past year. “George Floyd was a spark for this” he said. “It disoriented me. I was shocked, broken.”

    Abdulhamid Sheekh and Pastor Joel Quie held a Christian-Muslim dialogue event June 9 at the Eden Prairie City Center. (Photo by Mark Weber)

    The murder of Floyd moved him to demonstrate for racial justice in Washington, D.C. last year and upon his return explore some sort of vigil event that would elevate that theme but also honor the good work of local police officers. After all, as a youngster growing up in the Washington area – his dad, Al, was a U.S. representative and later governor of Minnesota – his childhood offered a close look at social protests and marches around racial equality, the Vietnam Way, and other issues.

    Alas, COVID-19 restrictions dampened the vigil plan, but he’s got other ideas percolating as he begins to look at life beyond pastorship. Many involve using the extensive Eden Prairie network he’s built over the last 25 years to challenge and discuss what keeps us apart, even as we share Eden Prairie in our addresses.

    His view is that, as diverse as Eden Prairie has become in recent years, “we have siloed very effectively,” gathering only with people who are similar in just about every respect. Let’s break down some of those silos, he reasons.

    Advertisement
    Ad for EPLN: New Voices, Vital Stories. We've welcomed two new journalists, Rachel and Maddie. Help us support the next generation of local journalists. Invest in Local News. Donate Today

    “My bias is, people are good, so let’s just get people together. Let’s leave the legislative to others.” It’s what he offered in the June 9 dialogue with his friend Abdi: We’re trying to uncover the commonalities, find the differences, “and keep talking,” he said, and also “listen deeply.”

    It’s a process that doesn’t always happen, he adds. Maybe it should.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleEP’s trash Drop-off Day is a speedy success
    Next Article The health assistance journey: Patience and persistence to find options

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    Watershed district to host Creek Week events

    June 4, 2025
    4 Mins Read

    Schooner Days rolls in with rides, crowds and record fun

    June 3, 2025
    6 Mins Read

    Fire up the fun at Eden Prairie Rib Fest June 8

    June 3, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Eden Prairie man charged in hidden-camera case involving teen stepdaughter

    June 24, 2025

    You’re going to need a bigger boat – but not on Mitchell Lake

    June 24, 2025

    Car wash out, credit union in: EP lot may get new life

    June 24, 2025

    Brazin no more: Chef-owner leans into rustic flavors at Kevin’s Italian Bistro

    June 23, 2025

    Opportunity knocks? Not always. How to protect yourself from door-to-door scams

    June 23, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Gold Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.