Picnic protest planned over decision to remove pages from On Holy Ground; will be held July 13 outside MB conference office in Winnipeg

The Winnipeg protest runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1310 Taylor Avenue

Mennonite Brethren church members and others in Winnipeg concerned about the decision by the Canadian and U.S. Mennonite Brethren conferences to remove three pages from On Holy Ground are invited to a picnic protest on July 13. 

The picnic protest will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches office at 1310 Taylor Avenue. 

The protest is being organized by Karissa Durant, 30, a Master of Theology student at Canadian Mennonite University. 

Durant, who is part of the Mennonite Brethren Conference, was inspired to organize the protest after reading the response by the Canadian and U.S. Mennonite Brethren Executive Boards about the removal of three pages from Mary Anne Isaak’s story in the book. 

In the missing pages, Isaak described her journey with the subject of LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion, and compared the historic marginalization of women to what is happening to LGBTQ+ Mennonite Brethren today.

“I felt it was disrespectful of the book,” she said, adding she had sent a letter of concern to the Conference earlier. 

Thinking letters might just fall on deaf ears, Durant decided it would be better if people could “show up” to honour the book and protest the decision to remove the three pages from Isaak’s story. 

“The irony is lost on no one,” she said of the decision to remove pages from a story by a woman in an book meant to highlight women’s voices. 

Although the response to the decision to remove the pages “comes from a place of anger,” she wants the picnic protest to be respectful. 

For her, it’s a way to channel that angry energy into honouring the women who wrote stories in the book, along with all other women who have served in the denomination, or who wanted to but weren't permitted to do so. 

“We need to give space for women who have historically been marginalized in the Mennonite Brethren world,” she said, adding “I want to put the focus on the women in the book.” 

She would also like to hear an apology from the U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Brethren conferences for removing the three pages, and for the statement they released. 

“Just say sorry,” she said, adding she doesn’t expect them to apologize. 

She also hopes the picnic protest will show Conference leaders that many people care and it “isn’t just a social media thing.” 

“We want to make it known that what happened [with the book] is not OK, and the statement that the conferences released was not OK,” Durant said. 

At the event, participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and a blanket and signs that say things like “Just say sorry,” “Let women lead and speak,” “We are not a threat,” and “We will not be silenced.” 

The event will also feature the reading of Isaak’s chapter in the book, including the missing pages. 

Janell Friesen is planning to attend the protest. 

“I am thankful for the rare experience that I’ve gotten to be encouraged by my Mennonite Brethren faith community to take leadership roles,” she said. 

“I’ve been thankful for spaces to ask questions about theology and faith, but lately I’ve noticed this strange fear to even engage in these questions. That actually makes me fearful. So I need to respond in a way that I feel good about, and I’m hopeful that this will be that good way.”