In this episode, we’re exploring the Anabaptism at 500 project and the possibility of an Anabaptist Community Bible. Our guests are Mollee Moua and John D. Roth who were both hired by MennoMedia for this project. We’re going to have a conversation about what Anabaptism means today and the specifics of this Anabaptist Bible. Do we really need a new Bible? What is the benefit of hearing from diverse voices and interpretations? And how can you and your church participate?

Mollee, from Kitchener, Ontario, serves as Managing Editor for Anabaptism at 500. She previously worked at Mennonite Church Eastern Canada as the Courageous Imagination Project Manager. John, from Goshen, Indiana, serves as the Project Director. He previously worked as a professor of history at Goshen College and has been heavily involved in the global Anabaptist movement. He has also authored many articles and books about Mennonite faith and identity.

You can also win a copy of John D. Roth’s book Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be! Simply like our give-away post on facebook or instagram in the coming week (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord and Herald Press. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
09:31 - Interview (Part 1)
32:00 - Resource give-away
33:48 - Interview (Part 2)
1:00:47 - Continuing the conversation
1:07:48 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with pastor and chair of the regional Truth and Reconciliation Working Group of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, Peter Haresnape. We’re going to have a conversation about the future of Indigenous-Settler solidarity work in Mennonite Church Canada. How do we make sense of the shifts that have taken place in our nation-wide church in the last few years? How do we meaningfully move away from the sins of our past? And how do we move forward towards true reconciliation?

Peter is one of the pastors serving the Toronto United Mennonite Church, which is “a Christian community in the Mennonite-Anabaptist ‘peace church’ tradition.” Before beginning his pastoral role, Peter also worked for the Student Christian Movement and Community Peacemaker Teams. He studies theology at Conrad Grebel University College, is one of the co-founders of the Cahoots Festival, and can be found engaging the online social media world.

You can also win a copy of Edith and Neill von Gunten’s new book Walking Together: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord. Like our page before December 26, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
09:40 - Interview (Part 1)
30:40 - Resource give-away
32:20 - Interview (Part 2)
1:04:25 - Continuing the conversation
1:09:47 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with pastor and co-founder of Pastors in Exile (PiE), Jessie Reesor Rempel. We’re going to learn a bit about PiE’s ministry and have a conversation about young people and the church. Why are many young people leaving the church? What are young people searching for? And what is our role in reaching out to those beyond our church walls?

From their website: PiE is a progressive and affirming community-based ministry that seeks to empower young adults as they explore and deepen the spiritual meaning of their lives, world, work, and activism. Jessie is passionate about nurturing community, extending radical hospitality, and seeking out sacred moments in the midst of the mundane. Through her work with PiE, she is energized by experiencing God at work in new and unexpected ways in the Kitchener-Waterloo community.

You can also win a copy of Thomas Bergen’s book Home Together: Student Ministry at the Menno Simons Centre! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord. Like our page before October 31, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
10:53 - Interview (Part 1)
33:28 - Resource give-away
35:00 - Interview (Part 2)
1:02:02 - Continuing the conversation
1:10:00 - Outro

In this episode, we’re recapping and debriefing the 2022 Mennonite Church Canada nation-wide Gathering that took place in Edmonton this past summer. We reflect on the speakers, worship, workshops, and late night conversations. We also talk about some of the more difficult issues that our church is going through. All along the way, we ponder how what we experienced fits into the Gathering theme of “We Declare.”

The Mennonite Church Canada nation-wide Gathering is a biennial conference that brings together delegates and participants from our five regional churches. We gather to worship and discern how God is calling us to move forward. If you weren’t able to participate this time, you can find some of the recorded sessions here.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
09:00 - Guest Speakers
24:20 - Workshops
39:30 - Letting go of Steve Heinrichs
53:20 - Gathering Worship
1:02:05 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with the coordinators of the Abuse Response and Prevention Program of Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba. Their names are Jaymie Friesen and Val Hiebert. We’re going to chat about abuse and the church. When, why, and how does abuse happen among Christians? How should we properly understand the role of power? And how can we courageously respond and prevent abuse in our institutions?

Jaymie and Val work together to respond to incidents of abuse as well as to educate churches about abuse prevention and healthy sexuality. They welcome invitations for conversation and to speak at churches while offering many resources through abuseresponseandprevention.ca.

You can also win a copy of Susannah Larry’s new book Leaving Silence: Sexualized Violence, the Bible, and Standing with Survivors! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord. Like our page before June 27, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
08:18 - Interview (Part 1)
24:15 - Resource give-away
26:18 - Interview (Part 2)
57:08 - Continuing the conversation
1:06:14 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with three members of the 7 Calls to Climate Action working group; Katie Goerzen-Sheard, Mark Bigland-Pritchard, and Nelson Lee. Join us for a conversation about the climate crisis. What kind of emergency are we actually in? What role do Christians and the church have in addressing the situation? And what do we do when we’re not all on the same page?

The 7 Calls to Climate Action was put forward by a diverse group of Mennonites from across Canada who believe that “it is too late not to act” in regards to the climate emergency. Since their appeal was presented to the Mennonite Church Canada Joint Council & Executive Staff Group, over 600 others have signed on to these calls.

You can also win a copy of Seth Klein’s new book A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord. Like our page before May 23, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
07:20 - Interview (Part 1)
30:44 - Resource give-away
32:07 - Interview (Part 2)
1:00:54 - Continuing the conversation
1:14:04 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with president of Mennonite World Conference, J. Nelson Kraybill. Join us for a conversation about war and peace. What does peace look like in situations like the invasion of Russia in Ukraine? How can we live out the love of Jesus in the midst of conflict? What role does the church have in making peace?

Nelson is an author, scholar, retired pastor, and president emeritus of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. You can find Nelson’s open letter to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow here. You can also connect with Nelson at his blog - https://peace-pilgrim.com/.

You can also win a copy of Jason Porterfield’s new book Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord and Herald Press. Like our page before April 18, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
07:05 - Interview with Nelson (Part 1)
27:48 - Resource give-away
29:40 - Interview with Nelson (Part 2)
52:43 - Continuing the conversation
1:04:22 - Outro

In this episode, we’re talking with pastor, author, and Social Media Enthusiast, Kyle Penner. Join us as we talk about the COVID-19 pandemic. How should we deal with the polarization in our communities? Do Christians have a role to speak up politically? And how do we deal with the hate from people who claim to love Jesus?

Kyle is one of the pastors at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach, Manitoba. During the pandemic, he has been outspoken on social media, encouraging people to follow government mandates and get vaccinated. He was also part of a provincial ad campaign which landed him in hot water. You can connect with Kyle on social media or at his blog - kylepenner.home.blog/.

You can also win a copy of Melissa Florer-Bixler’s new book How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace! Simply like our facebook page (@themennocast), and you will automatically be entered to win thanks to CommonWord. Like our page before March 15, 2022. Open to Canadian residents only.

Thanks for listening to The MennoCast!

Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction
07:40 - Interview with Kyle (Part 1)
33:56 - Resource give-away
35:28 - Interview with Kyle (Part 2)
58:48 - Continuing the conversation
1:09:04 - Outro