(via e-mail)
February 7, 2007

Greetings from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office:

1. Summer 2007 Youth Peace Travel Team: Application Deadline Extended to February 23, 2007

2. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq- March 16, 2007 in Washington, DC

3. Ecumenical Advocacy Days March 9-12 in Washington, DC

4. Christian Citizenship Seminar: March 24-29, 2007

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1. Summer 2007 Youth Peace Travel Team: Deadline Extended to February 23, 2007

The first Youth Peace Travel Team was formed for the summer of 1991 as a cooperative effort of a number of General Board programs. It has been such a great experience for Youth Peace Travel Team members to provide leadership to Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministry programs. This year's team will be sponsored by Brethren Witness/Washington Office, Brethren Volunteer Service, Outdoor Ministries Association, COB Youth and Young Adult Office, and On Earth Peace. Four youth/young adults between the ages of 18-22 will be selected for the 2007 team. A stipend is available to team members. Please see attached application form or go to http://www.brethren.org/genbd/WitnessWashOffice.html and click on Youth Peace Travel Team in the left hand column to download the application. The application deadline has been extended to February 23, 2007.

2.Christian Peace Witness for Iraq- March 16, 2007 Washington, DC

On March 16, Brethren Witness/Washington Office is hoping to have a large number of Brethren participate in the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq. This event is sponsored in part by Brethren Witness/Washington Office and On Earth Peace and will begin Friday night at 7:00 pm with an ecumenical worship service at Washington National Cathedral. A candelight procession to the White House will follow worship with a prayer vigil taking place once we arrive at the White House.

We believe it is imperative that members of the Church of the Brethren raise their voices in protest against the current direction of our nation's foreign policy, specifically in regards to the Iraq War. As a living peace church who follow Christ's example of peacemaking, Brethren Witness/Washington Office invites all Brethren to join other Christians from across the nation in participating in this peace witness.

On Saturday morning following the Peace Witness, Brethren Witness/Washington Office invites all Brethren to gather at 9:00 am at Washington City Church of the Brethren for breakfast. Following the breakfast, all are encouraged to participate in the March 17, 2007 national protest "March on the Pentagon" commerating the 4th Anniversary of the Iraq War and calling for the withdrawal of American troops. The March will assemble at 12 noon at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For More Information for the March 17 "March on the Pentagon" go to:

http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=8107

Please register for the March 16 Peace Witness event at: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=action.cpw&item=cpw_main

AND

Please R.S.V.P. to Brethren Witness/Washington Office if you are planning on attending the event and/or the breakfast.

3. Ecumenical Advocacy Days: March 9-12 in Washington, DC

In 2007, March 9-12, we will gather for the fifth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference. The theme, "and How are the Children?" will guide and inspire this gathering of over 1,000 religious advocates from a wide array of Christian communions. Experts will train participants how to do advocacy and inform them of U.S. domestic and international policies that impact all of God's children and are shaping the future of our world. The gathering will conclude with a visit to Capitol Hill where participants will ask their Congressional representatives to make the needs of children the center of the 2007 legislative agenda.

The cost of registration is $150 dollars and includes two lunches and Sunday dinner. For more information on speakers, workshops, activities, and housing please go to: www.advocacydays.org.

To register go to: http://www.advocacydays.org/registration/#register

"Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:18.

4. March 24-29, 2007: Christian Citizenship Seminar "The State of Our Health"

Brethren Witness/Washington Office and the Youth Ministry Office are sponsoring Christian Citizenship Seminar "The State of Our Health" from March 24-29, 2007. Participants will explore and be challenged by the many health concerns and conditions of our global population. Speakers, presentations, interactive worship and workshops, on-sight visitations, and direct advocacy opportunites will all be a part of the CCS 2007 experience. Find out how international governments contribute to the HIV-AIDS explosion in Africa or the overwehelming poverty of many Latin America countries. Learn how HIV/AIDS affects local villages in Sudan and in U.S. communities. Explore the impact of prenatal care, poverty, and hunger on the world's population. Consider the advantages , challanges, and the privileges of health care programs. Advocate for the hungry, the disabled, the uninsured and the voiceless brothers and sisters in our world.

All high school youth and adult advisors are eligible to attend the seminar. Registration will be limited to the first 100 youth and adults who apply. CCS will begin Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 5:00 in New York City and will end by 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 29, 2007 in Washington, D.C. The cost is $350 which includes lodging for 5 nights, dinner on the opening evening of the seminar, and transportation from New York to Washington, DC.

To register for CCS go to www.brethren.org, under keywords scroll to the youth/young adults page and click on Christian Citizenship Seminar. For more information: 1-800-323-8039 or email: COBYouth_gb@brethren.org.

Brethren Witness/Washington Office Contact Information