The Schism Between Us

Marnie Klassen with MennoCreative

The Schism Between Us is a limited series about religious polarization, focusing on the tense relationship between Mennonites in Canada. Mennonite Church Canada and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches share a common history in imperial Russia, but an old schism and contemporary differences often prevent them from working together. Follow Marnie Klassen as she dives into this 166 year old schism, asking the questions: what’s happening between these religious groups, and how did we get here anyway? This podcast is supported by Canadian Mennonite's MennoCreative residency.

Afleveringen

  1. 3 dgn geleden

    He Said, She Said - Part 2

    S1E5: He Said, She Said – Part 2 Questions of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and affirmation in the church have divided the church, including in both the Mennonite Church and Mennonite Brethren denominations in Canada. “He Said, She Said” explores how these questions and issues cause rifts within and between these communities.  Part 2 looks at the last 20 years across both denominations and the tumult caused by the theology around 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their inclusion and exclusion in the church. We stop to tell a few stories – one about women in leadership, one about a ministry investigation gone wrong, and one about the ending of a fruitful relationship. This is He Said, She Said – Part 2.  Listen to He Said, She Said – Part 1: https://linktr.ee/SchismBetweenPod  John Longhurst’s blog, A Time to Tell: https://timetotellcanada.blogspot.com/  On Holy Ground book and link to Mary Anne Isaak’s essay: https://www.commonword.ca/ResourceView/82/25569  BFC (Being a Faithful Church) 7: https://canadianmennonite.org/being-faithful-church-7/  Canadian Mennonite reports on Resolution 1 (MCBC): https://canadianmennonite.org/mc-bc-wrestles-tough-issues/  Artisan Church’s Milestone Statement: https://artisanchurch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MILESTONE-STATEMENT-ON-LGBTQ-INCLUSION.pdf  Christian views on homosexuality (including a note about Side C): https://www.whollyourselves.org/thefoursides  A Time to Listen: https://atimetolisten.ca/  Lee Kosa writes about his experience at and after Cedar Park: https://leekosa.com/on-conflict-pain-composting/   https://directionjournal.org/51/2/identity-anxiety-and-holy-spirit.html  CBC reports: “Winnipeg pastor's reflections on LGBTQ+ inclusion removed from book highlighting female leaders”: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canadian-mennonite-brethren-church-lgbtq-inclusion-1.6518470  “The Schism Between Us” is written and produced by Marnie Klassen, and supported by MennoCreative, a program of Canadian Mennonite magazine.  Technical Production and Sound Design: Matt Veith Background Music: Jaimie Terpstra Graphic Design: Tiff Wu Editor in Chief: Marnie Klassen Theme song: “In the Rifted Rock” arranged by Mykayla Turner and performed by Marta Bunnet Wiebe, Isaac Kuhl Schlegel, Solomon Schlegel, Allegra Friesen Epp, and Courtney Kuhl Schlegel Thank you to John Longhurst and Lee Kosa for their help fact checking dates for this episode.  Special thanks to Will Braun, Susan Fish, David Balzer, and many others who have helped shape this story over the past 10 months.

  2. 16 jul

    He Said, She Said - Part 1

    S1E4: He said, she said – Part 1 Questions of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and affirmation in the church have divided the church, including in both the Mennonite Church and Mennonite Brethren denominations in Canada. “He said, she said” explores how these questions and issues cause rifts in and between these communities. In Part 1, we’re sharing one man’s story of how the Mennonite Brethren church has handled these conversations. In 2022, Ed Willms, then Executive Director of the Ontario Mennonite Brethren church, hosted a conversation about 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and affirmation in the church. Within months, he was let go. This is his story.  MB Herald reports: “Willms helms Ontario conference”: https://mbherald.com/willms-helms-ontario-conference/  John Longhurst reports: “Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches ousts Executive Director for holding LGBTQ+ discussion”: https://timetotellcanada.blogspot.com/2022/11/ontario-conference-of-mennonite.html  Ontario MB Conference report 2023 (including details about Freechurch and Southridge’s departures from the conference): https://na.mennonitebrethren.ca/2023-onmb-report/  Canadian Mennonite reports: “Ontario MB leader ousted, two churches suspended”: https://canadianmennonite.org/ontario-mb-leader-ousted-two-churches-suspended/  “The Schism Between Us” is written and produced by Marnie Klassen, and supported by MennoCreative, a program of Canadian Mennonite magazine.  Technical Producer: Matt Veith Background Music: Jaimie Terpstra Graphic Design: Tiff Wu Editor in Chief: Marnie Klassen Theme song: “In the Rifted Rock” arranged by Mykayla Turner and performed by Marta Bunnet Wiebe, Isaac Kuhl Schlegel, Solomon Schlegel, Allegra Friesen Epp, and Courtney Kuhl Schlegel Special thanks to Will Braun, Susan Fish, David Balzer, and many others who have helped shape this story over the past 10 months.

  3. 10 jul

    "True Evangelical Faith"

    Since their 1860 divide, Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren have been influenced by different theological traditions. This episode of The Schism Between Us explores the tension between Anabaptist and Evangelical theology within the MB church, and between the two denominations in question. Several guests reflect on the possibilities of a more diverse church, and Mennonite Church Canada’s Executive Minister calls for a deeper Christology in the denomination.  “The Schism Between Us” is written and produced by Marnie Klassen, and supported by MennoCreative, a program of Canadian Mennonite magazine.  Technical Producer: Matt Veith Background Music: Jaimie Terpstra Graphic Design: Tiff Wu Editor in Chief: Marnie Klassen Theme song: “In the Rifted Rock” arranged by Mykayla Turner and performed by Marta Bunnet Wiebe, Isaac Kuhl Schlegel, Solomon Schlegel, Allegra Friesen Epp, and Courtney Kuhl Schlegel Opening song: “True Evangelical Faith” composed by Larry Nickel, performed by West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir in 1991 directed by Tony Funk. Copyright Cyprus Choral Music, licensed and used with permission.  Special thanks to Will Braun, Susan Fish, David Balzer, and many others who have helped shape this story over the past 10 months.

  4. 27 jun

    How We Talk To Each Other

    In this episode of The Schism Between Us, host Marnie Klassen talks to Mary Funk about the early years of Jubilee Mennonite Church, and to Gilbert Brandt and Kathryn Lymburner about denominational publications. Carolina Gouveia Santana reflects on being a person of colour in a predominantly white church, and Paul Peters talks about polarization and what humility looks like in practice.  The MB Herald goes out of print:  https://mbherald.com/mbh-end/ Kathryn Lymburner is appointed Publisher of Canadian Mennonite: https://canadianmennonite.org/kathryn-lymburner-appointed-publisher-of-canadian-mennonite/  “The Last Word,” MB Herald editors on the history of the publication: https://mbherald.com/the-last-word/  “The Schism Between Us” is written and produced by Marnie Klassen, and supported by MennoCreative, a program of Canadian Mennonite magazine.  Technical Producer: Matt Veith Music: Jaimie Terpstra Graphic Design: Tiff Wu Editor in Chief: Marnie Klassen Theme song: “In the Rifted Rock” arranged by Mykayla Turner and performed by Marta Bunnet Wiebe, Isaac Kuhl Schlegel, Solomon Schlegel, Allegra Friesen Epp, and Courtney Kuhl Schlegel Special thanks to Will Braun, Susan Fish, David Balzer, and many others who helped shape this story.

  5. 11 jun

    You Are Here.

    This introductory episode of The Schism Between Us follows host Marnie Klassen through her upbringing in the spaces between the Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren denominations. Marnie explores how this ecumenical context continues to shape her own understanding of the ongoing tensions between the groups, and talks with several people who shed light on the origins of the split. Welcome to The Schism Between Us. "You are here." “The Schism Between Us” is written and produced by Marnie Klassen, and supported by MennoCreative, a program of Canadian Mennonite magazine.  Technical Producer: Matt Veith Music: Jaimie Terpstra Graphic Design: Tiff Wu Editor in Chief: Marnie Klassen Theme song: “In the Rifted Rock” arranged by Mykayla Turner and performed by Marta Bunnet Wiebe, Isaac Kuhl Schlegel, Solomon Schlegel, Allegra Friesen Epp, and Courtney Kuhl Schlegel Special thanks to Will Braun, Susan Fish, David Balzer, and many others who helped shape this story.

  6. Trailer seizoen 1

    Teaser Trailer

    Do you ever have a question so big, you just have to go and find out? Listen to the teaser trailer now to find out what Marnie Klassen's big question is.

Trailer

Info

The Schism Between Us is a limited series about religious polarization, focusing on the tense relationship between Mennonites in Canada. Mennonite Church Canada and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches share a common history in imperial Russia, but an old schism and contemporary differences often prevent them from working together. Follow Marnie Klassen as she dives into this 166 year old schism, asking the questions: what’s happening between these religious groups, and how did we get here anyway? This podcast is supported by Canadian Mennonite's MennoCreative residency.

Informatie

  • Maker
    Marnie Klassen with MennoCreative
  • Jaren actief
    2026
  • Afleveringen
    6
  • Beoordeling
    Veilig
  • Copyright
    © Marnie Klassen with MennoCreative
  • Website van aflevering
    The Schism Between Us
  • Provider

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