Front Light

Mennonite Action
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Front Light is Mennonite Action’s podcast, hosted by Joanna Lawrence Shenk and Jonny Rashid. Mennonite Action is a movement mobilizing Mennonites and Anabaptists across the United States and Canada to use creative, nonviolent actions to demand a permanent ceasefire, an end to the U.S. and Western-funded occupation of Palestine and build a lasting peace for all. Grounded in our peace theology, we believe we have a responsibility to use our voices as powerfully as possible for the cause of peace and justice. This podcast is for anyone who wants to make the world a better place!

  1. 12/22/2025

    Ep 14 - Season One Finale with Ken Ogasawara

    We pull Front Light editor and producer Ken Ogasawara from behind the curtain to reflect on an amazing first season of Front Light! Ken is a writer and podcaster with Mennonite Central Committee Ontario during the day and by night and weekends a co-director of Mennonite Action Canada. We whet our appetite with some tasty stats from the year before diving into the full course of highlights from our amazing guests over the past year. Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

    58 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    Ep 13 - Fighting uphill and making waves with Jonathan Smucker and Janna Hunter-Bowman

    In this episode, we interview Jonathan Smucker and Janna Hunter-Bowman, two academics who have participated with and researched Mennonite Action. We talk about the Peace Theology in Movement: A Lunchtime Colloquium of AMBS and Mennonite Action, and Mennonite Action’s role in the greater Anabaptist and activist world. They offer unique and personal insights into our circumstance and our organization.  Buy Mennonite Action’s organizing guide, Courage To Enter The Song, here: https://www.amazon.com/Institute-of-Mennonite-Studies-4-book-series/dp/B0C7J3VYTH Reckoning in Mennonite Peace Theology: Reinhold Niebuhr’s Realism and Four Waves of Development by Janna Hunter-Bowman: https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/article/142713-reckoning-in-mennonite-peace-theology-reinhold-niebuhr-s-realism-and-four-waves-of-development  Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

    1h 4m

  3. 10/28/2025

    Ep 12 - Noncooperating with Authoritarianism feat. Anna-Lisa Gross and Daniel Hunter

    In this conversation with Anna-Lisa Gross and Daniel Hunter, we explore the intersection of peace traditions and organizing against authoritarianism, emphasizing the importance of community, nonviolence, and the teachings of Jesus. Daniel is a prolific writer, here are his articles are Waging Nonviolence: https://wagingnonviolence.org/author/danielhunter/ His most recent article is about the response in DC to Trump deploying the National Guard. Anna Lisa is rooted in the Church of The Brethren and recently wrote two articles for Anabaptist World focused on Gaza: https://anabaptistworld.org/i-wont-eat-again-until/  https://anabaptistworld.org/entrapment-stew-and-murderous-aid-recipe-mediterranean-stew/ Together they are organizers with Choose Democracy, and among other things, are thinking about tax resistance as a tool of mass noncooperation.  Choose Democracy launched the One Million Rising trainings, which is an effort to get people organized to resist authoritarianism following all the No Kings marches. 20,000+ people were at the first training! They also led Freedom Trainers, which is the training that Nick did. Here’s the Noncooperation Library provided by the Freedom Trainers. Drop Site News: https://www.dropsitenews.com/ From Christians for a Free Palestine, written by Rev. Margaret Ernst, this prayer on the news of a ceasefire: God of Life We lift voices that are hoarse from screaming for justice Eyes that are wet with tears Or that can cry no more. 2 years, God.  Do you hear our cries? Do you hear the cry of Gaza?    There is news of a ceasefire. There is dancing in the streets.  There are children who have lost everything Telling us the war is over, for good. Preserve their hope, oh Lord. Stop the bombs. Release the prisoners. Feed the people.  You are a God that saves. And yet, where has that salvation been, these past two years?
 And so much longer before. Over 67,000 dead, and likely so many more Hundreds of thousands wounded Under the rubble 
What shall we say to the  Woman who wakes to news of ceasefire And then must ask, “Where am I to go? What do we do with our lives? Where shall we live?" What shall we say to   The parent of a child Bloodied just hours after news of the ceasefire broke As the world slept and then cried “Free Palestine” And yet we still yell it We refuse to accept 'peace' Defined by those who profit from war. You are a God that liberates.  Preserve the faith of Palestinians, God, And show your saving power.  Let every tear of joy shed
in these Days of anticipation Water the future. May every laugh and song of children Lifted to the sky  Defend against planes and drones From here on forward. You are a God that heals.  May there be quiet in Gaza, God.  And while there is quiet there, Lord, Strengthen our cries across this globe for true justice A true peace For the kingdom coming That we glimpse  And is not yet Firm up our souls to keep marching To keep singing Keep going Till liberation is won. Amen.

    1h 15m

  4. 10/08/2025

    Ep 11 - Public disruption, solidarity, and Palestinian steadfastness with Tim Seidel and Tim Nafziger

    In this episode, we hear from two Mennonite Action national leadership team members: Tim Seidel and Tim Nafziger. Seidel lives in Harrisonburg and helped to lead a disruptive action in DC. Nafziger is on the West Coast and has been engaged in organizing against. They give us an idea of what local chapters are up to in Mennonite Action, and how we are focused on addressing the twin evils of Christian Nationalism and Christian Zionism. You’ll also hear about the courage tour and an organizing conference. Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.  Instagram posts of the DC action: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoxBUej919/?img_index=1, https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoxBUej919/?img_index=1, https://www.instagram.com/p/DOY1nYwkY73/   Sign up for the Courage Tour here: https://www.mennoniteaction.org/tour  Sign up for EMU’s organizing conference here: https://emu.edu/seminary/shalom/events/2025-organizing-symposium/  Mosab Abu Toha poem:  Every child in Gaza is me.  Every mother and father is me.  Every house is my heart.  Every tree is my leg.  Every plant is my arm.  Every flower is my eye.  Every hole in the earth is my wound. Support and follow Mosab Abu Toha: https://linktr.ee/mosababutoha

    55 min

  5. 08/26/2025

    Ep 10 - Migrant God: a Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice with Isaac Villegas

    In this episode, we hear from Isaac Villegas, author of “Migrant God” as we explore the intersection of faith, immigration, and justice. We hear personal stories, theological reflections, and the historical context of immigration policies. We talk about the sanctuary movement, the implications of Christian nationalism, and the connections between the struggles of immigrants and the plight of Palestinians. Throughout, Isaac highlights the need for a Christian vision of justice that actively engages with the realities of suffering and oppression. Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.  Connecting the dots between the occupation of Palestine and ICE repression: ​​https://www.newsweek.com/blueprint-ices-future-being-drawn-west-bank-opinion-2103201 An account of the political organizing in Durham that resulted in the resolution against police training partnerships with Israel: https://scalawagmagazine.org/2021/05/israel-palestine-durham-police/ Perfect Victims by Mohammed El-Kurd: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2499-perfect-victims Healing Resistance by Kazu Haga: https://www.parallax.org/product/healing-resistance/ Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects: https://www.joannamacy.net/main

    1h 16m

  6. 07/23/2025

    Ep 9 - Tyler Goss and Mennonite Action's recent delegation to Palestine

    In this episode, we interview Tyler Goss, he/him, from Harrisonburg Virginia on the land of the Siouan, Monacan, Monahoac, Catawba, and Cherokee. He shares stories from Mennonite Action’s delegation to Palestine in June. We talk about tourism for good, the weight of hopelessness, air raids and more. Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

    1 hr

  7. 06/11/2025

    Ep 8 - “None are free until all are free": the intersection of Palestinian and queer justice, with Annabeth Roeschley of BMC.

    “None are free until all are free” is a quote attributed to luminaries working for justice throughout history: Emma Lazarus, Fannie Lou Hammer, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou.  In this episode, we interview Annabeth Roeschley (they/she), the Director of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. They are a long-time activist and advisor for queer intersectional justice within and beyond Mennonite Church USA. Annabeth embodies this role as a queer abolitionist theologian, spiritual care curator, and politicized chaplain who dwells at the intersections of individual and collective healing. A graduate of Bluffton University, Annabeth holds a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary with a concentration in LGBTQ+ Religious Studies. After a decade in Washington, DC and now in Chicago, Annabeth and their partner are active with the local Hyde Park Jewish community and with a queer house church. Annabeth draws deeply from rural Illinois roots (Potawatomi, Peoria and Myaamia land) and loves watching the moon rise over the edge of Lake Michigan. Resources: 5 Patterns of Legal Escalation by Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk: https://makiashe.substack.com/cp/161466693   On denationalization by M Gessen, drawing on Hannah Arendt: https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2025/03/23/opinion-trump-isnt-just-attacking/  Unmasking Christian Zionism for Queer, Palestinian, & Jewish Liberation: https://www.bmclgbt.org/palestinian-jewish-liberation-resources   Creating Cultures of Care: Blessing LGBTQIA+ Kin Across MC USA: https://www.bmclgbt.org/creating-cultures-of-care-blessing-lgbtqia-kin-across-mc-usa Everyone is invited to BMC's 50th anniversary celebration!  www.bmclgbt.org/50th  “The Memory Librarian” by Janelle Monae, noted as Joanna’s front light this month: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/the-memory-librarian Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

    1h 4m

  8. 05/21/2025

    Ep 7 - Learning through discomfort with Noura Erakat

    “They’re trying to equate anti-racism with comfort: ‘everybody should get along.’ But nobody is entitled to comfort. We are entitled to respect.” In this episode, we interview Palestinian-American scholar and attorney, Noura Erakat. She is a Professor of Africana Studies and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, author of Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine (Stanford University Press, 2019) and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Palestine Studies. Also in this show, Joanna shares about the anniversary of the Nakba, and Jonny about his favorite new band. Noura’s instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJUSwcxN_6R/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Ahmed the Little Farmer: https://www.instagram.com/tasnemaaed?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== “Fabulously Melancholy” by Plastic Hacks: https://plastichacks.bandcamp.com/ If your congregation or ministry observes ICE or CBP activity in or around your place of worship, please contact Iris de León-Hartshorn (irisdh@mennoniteusa.org) immediately and copy your Conference Minister so that we can document any encroachment into sacred spaces with the court.Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

    55 min
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4.8
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Front Light is Mennonite Action’s podcast, hosted by Joanna Lawrence Shenk and Jonny Rashid. Mennonite Action is a movement mobilizing Mennonites and Anabaptists across the United States and Canada to use creative, nonviolent actions to demand a permanent ceasefire, an end to the U.S. and Western-funded occupation of Palestine and build a lasting peace for all. Grounded in our peace theology, we believe we have a responsibility to use our voices as powerfully as possible for the cause of peace and justice. This podcast is for anyone who wants to make the world a better place!

Information

  • Creator
    Mennonite Action
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mennonite Action
  • Show Website
    Front Light

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