Stan McKay is a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba. He served as the first Aboriginal moderator of the United Church of Canada and successfully advocated for the Church's apology, issued in 1986, for its role in cultural oppression of First Nations peoples. Melanie Kampen describes herself as a Mennonite settler from Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has just completed a Master's thesis on the colonial nature of western Christianity and has connected with Metis and First Nations communities at Matheson Island and Pauingassi First Nation in Manitoba.

Both Stan and Melanie are committed to working locally to reconcile Canada's history of colonialism and ongoing injustice towards Indigenous peoples. In addition to explaining their understandings of Treaty People, they both make a case for what Native and non-Native alike should attend Native Assembly 2014.

Available as both the 15-minute radio broadcast and the extended podcast version (19:14 min).

Available from popular Podcast providers.

What is God's Spirit calling the church to in the 21st Century? What are the best ways (programs, structures, strategies) for the church to thrive and grow? These are the same questions being asked across Christian expression, says Willard Metzger, Executive Director of Mennonite Church Canada. He has been asking questions about the church's future ever since he took his post in 2010. In 2012, he led the creation of the Future Directions Task Force, a group charged with responding to questions about the future of the church. Willard is informed by regular meetings with leaders from other denominations ranging from the United Church to the Baptist church. He also has a genuine passion for young adults and whenever he can meet with them, asks for their thoughts on the future of the church. Available as both the 15-minute radio broadcast and the extended podcast version (18:22 min).

Available from popular Podcast providers.

What is God's Spirit calling the church to in the 21st Century? What are the best ways (programs, structures, strategies) for the church to thrive and grow? These are the same questions being asked across Christian expression, says Willard Metzger, Executive Director of Mennonite Church Canada. He has been asking questions about the church's future ever since he took his post in 2010. In 2012, he led the creation of the Future Directions Task Force, a group charged with responding to questions about the future of the church. Willard is informed by regular meetings with leaders from other denominations ranging from the United Church to the Baptist church. He also has a genuine passion for young adults and whenever he can meet with them, asks for their thoughts on the future of the church. Available as both the 15-minute radio broadcast and the extended podcast version (18:22 min).

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Statisticians now say that "regular" church worship service attendance has been re-defined as two times per month. Meanwhile, pastors, lay leaders, and regular church attenders bemoan the dwindling numbers in their Sunday morning sanctuaries. Our guest for this episode is David Balzer, founding host of GodTalk, a two hour call-in radio show on matters of faith. He has frequently explored the question "Why go to church?" Currently, David is Assistant Professor of Communications and Media at Canadian Mennonite University.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Valentine's Day is chocolate and flowers and dinner dates and evenings out with your loved one. It's a time of year when singles feel acutely lonely, and couples are over-the-top celebrating their feelings for one another.

But is love bigger than that? Is there more to love than romance? Is love ever spelled with an all encompassing capital "L"? In this episode, hear award winning film maker Paul Plett reflect on his documentary about love, and how a surprising number of people reflect on love in ways that are well beyond romance and marital bliss.

This month there are 2 versions:

The Podcast version is the longer, full interview (19:27 min) The Radio version is the shorter 15 min interview

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Valentine's Day is chocolate and flowers and dinner dates and evenings out with your loved one. It's a time of year when singles feel acutely lonely, and couples are over-the-top celebrating their feelings for one another.

But is love bigger than that? Is there more to love than romance? Is love ever spelled with an all encompassing capital "L"? In this episode, hear award winning film maker Paul Plett reflect on his documentary about love, and how a surprising number of people reflect on love in ways that are well beyond romance and marital bliss.

This month there are 2 versions:

The Podcast version is the longer, full interview (19:27 min) The Radio version is the shorter 15 min interview

Available from popular Podcast providers.

November is the time of year in Canada when we remember and honour our war dead. Veterans repeat the words, "Never again" as they struggle to overcome lifelong nightmares of violence. But can a soldier forgive an enemy who robbed his ability to walk - or the country's leader who sent him into conflict? Can institutions be forgiven? Are there times when one does not forgive?

Marina Cantacuzino is the founder of the Forgiveness Project, a UK based charity that "uses storytelling to explore how ideas around forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict resolution can be used to impact positively on people's lives." Wilma Derksen is an author, speaker, and educator on the topic of forgiveness. Her 13 year old daughter Candace was found murdered in 1984 after a lengthy missing person search. Both share what they have learned about forgiveness from a secular and religious perspective.

Also see Part 1.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Soren MennoHawk is part preacher, part teacher, and storyteller in the tradition of Canada's indigenous people, and full time follower of Jesus, the Waymaker. In this episode Soren takes a slice of the familiar Christmas story and tries to make it helpfully unfamiliar by giving it a present-day indigenous twist.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

November is the time of year in Canada when we remember and honour our war dead. Veterans repeat the words, "Never again" as they struggle to overcome lifelong nightmares of violence. But can a soldier forgive an enemy who robbed his ability to walk - or the country's leader who sent him into conflict? Can institutions be forgiven? Are there times when one does not forgive?

Marina Cantacuzino is the founder of the Forgiveness Project, a UK based charity that "uses storytelling to explore how ideas around forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict resolution can be used to impact positively on people's lives." Wilma Derksen is an author, speaker, and educator on the topic of forgiveness. Her 13 year old daughter Candace was found murdered in 1984 after a lengthy missing person search. Both share what they have learned about forgiveness from a secular and religious perspective.

Also see Part 2.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Steve Heinrichs is the author of a new book that's turning heads. Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry grapples with the great hope and promise with life done together as First Nations and settler peoples. Heinrichs brings his passion to the matter of indigenous and white people learning side-by-side in a conversation about how to better care for the natural world upon which we all depend for survival. A former pastor in the Carrier territory of northern British Columbia and Director of Mennonite Church Canada's Indigenous Relations ministry, he leads workshops, teaches and preaches.

Also see Part Two.

Available from popular Podcast providers.