Front Light

• 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-2103201An 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-victimsHealing Resistance by Kazu Haga: https://www.parallax.org/product/healing-resistance/Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects: https://www.joannamacy.net/main

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• 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.

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• 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-usaEveryone 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-librarianHuge 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. 

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• 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 ([email protected]) 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.

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• Ep 6 - Palestinian, Mennonite and American - a conversation about identity, faith, and solidarity with Michael George

  In this episode, we speak with Michael George who serves on the steering committees of Mennonite Action and the Mennonite Palestine Israel Network (MennoPIN). He shares his family's history in Palestine, their migration journey, and the cultural identity shaped by his Palestinian and Mennonite heritage. He discusses the complexities of navigating biculturalism, the impact of faith on activism, and the importance of speaking out for justice. During the past five years, Michael has helped to facilitate MennoPIN’s “Twinning with Gaza” Initiative in which Mennonite congregations in the United States have built relationships with Palestinian-led non-profit organizations in Gaza.Re: Mennonite Church USA et al vs Department of Homeland Security:If your congregation or ministry observes ICE or CBP activity in or around your place of worship, please contact Iris de León-Hartshorn ([email protected]) immediately and copy your Conference Minister so that we can document any encroachment into sacred spaces with the court.Slideshow from Michael George featuring his family history and travels to Palestine.You can learn more about MennoPIN here: https://mennopin.org/The Encampments documentary: https://www.watermelonpictures.com/films/the-encampmentsEmail us at [email protected] to give us your feedback and we’ll feature you.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, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

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