Action Alert
Brethren Witness/Washington Office
(via e-mail)
February 8, 2008
Greetings from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office:
1. National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund bulletin insert and prayers for Phil Rieman
The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF) is a not-for-profit organization that advocates for passage of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill. Attached to this email you will find a bulletin insert from the NCPTF that features Phil and Louise Baldwin Rieman, Church of the Brethren pastors in Indiana. Phil and Louie had been scheduled to speak at a congressional hearing during the NCPTF spring lobby day. Due to the serious health concerns of Phil, the Riemans will not be able to participate as planned. Brethren congregations and members are encouraged to use this bulletin insert on a specific Sunday prior to the March 30-31 lobby days in D.C. and to join the Riemans in this struggle of conscience. Please also join in prayer and petition for the healing of Phil, and continued strength for the family, and for the Northview, IN, congregation.
2. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in Washington, DC on March 7, 2008
Brethren members and congregations are encouraged to participate in the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in Washington, DC, March 7. The Washington City Church of the Brethren will be one of many host sites for a time of worship, prayer and reflection around the Iraq war and concerns over Iran. Worship services will begin at noon on Friday and following those, feeder marches from around the city will make their way to the front of the nation's Capitol. A rally and witness will begin there at 2:30 p.m. with nonviolent actions to follow. The Brethren Witness/Washington office will be hosting Brethren who come to the city for this event. A gathering is planned following the worship service at the Washington City church.
For those able to stay for the weekend Ecumenical Advocacy Days will begin that evening. Visit the BWWO website or www.advocacydays.org for complete details.
For those unable to make their way to DC please visit http://www.christianpeacewitness.org for details of how you can plan and be active in your local community on this important day of witness.
3. Anabaptist peace forum in Washington, DC on April 11-12: “Bridging Divides: Uniting the Church for Peacemaking”
The Brethren Witness/Washington Office and the Anabaptist Peace Center in Washington, D.C., are jointly sponsoring an Anabaptist peace forum on the theme, “Bridging Divides: Uniting the Church for Peacemaking.” The event will take place April 11-12 at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.
The forum is for pastors, theologians, service workers, academics, and laypeople to explore how the church can unite for mission despite political divides, and also how the church can work to heal divisions in communities. The event will include plenary and seminar sessions, and each day will begin with Bible study and worship.
Myron Augsburger, president and professor emeritus of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., is the keynote speaker. Other plenary and seminar speakers will include Chris Bowman, pastor of Oakton Church of the Brethren in Vienna, Va., and a former moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; Celia Cook-Huffman, assistant professor of peace studies and associate director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.; Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office; Michelle Armster of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) US; and Steve Brown, of Calvary Community Church.
Adam Tice of Hyattsville Mennonite Church, will be worship leader. A pre-conference seminar on “How We Talk When We Disagree,” will be led by Grant Rissler, MCC peace and justice coordinator. Participants also are invited to join in an annual “Hymn Sing for Peace” at 5 p.m. on April 12.
The registration fee is $80, $40 for students, and those who register by Feb. 15 will receive a $10 discount. Register online at www.apcwdc.mennonite.net/Bridging_Divides or contact Keith Swartzendruber at 202-548-0010 keith@apcwdc.mennonite.net. For more information contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, 337 N. Carolina Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003; 800-785-3246; washington_office_gb@brethren.org.
4. Jubilee USA Measure Up Campaign Leap into Action Days February 28-29
From Jubilee--In 2008, we have an historic opportunity to break the chains of debt and change the lives of millions. The Jubilee Act is the single most important piece of debt legislation in the past seven years and it is one of the most widely supported anti-poverty bills in Congress.
The goal of the Measure Up! campaign is to gain more co-sponsors for the Jubilee Act in the House and Senate and achieve passage before the end of the legislative session.
Take a look at some of the ways you can be involved:
HOW YOU CAN MEASURE UP! IN 2008
ORDER MEASURE UP! POSTCARDS
We have excellent, full color, postcards that you can use to write your members of Congress and get others in your community involved in the movement to pass the Jubilee Act. Click here to order or write Nathan Fishman at nathan@jubileeusa.org.
Brethren Witness/Washington Office Contact Information
If you have questions on these or other issues, contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at the address below. We would love to hear from you!
Brethren Witness/Washington Office Action Alerts are sent out as important issues arise. Forward this alert to others! To add an e-mail address to our list, contact us at:
Brethren Witness/Washington Office
337 North Carolina Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Local Phone: 202-546-3202
Toll Free: 1-800-785-3246
Fax: 202-544-5852
E-mail: washington_office_gb@brethren.org
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