The Deportation Defense Response Team created by four Church of the Brethren districts with the Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace continue to host online events.
Here are upcoming opportunities to connect:
The DDR Fall Book Club will be held online every other Tuesday at 12 p.m. (Eastern time) starting Sept. 23. Participants will read and discuss the book The God Who Sees by Karen Gonzalez. Can’t join at that time? The team suggests getting a group together and reading along with them. Find more information and RSVP at www.onearthpeace.org/2025_09_23_ddr_book_club_20250923
The Biweekly Prayer Gatherings for Immigrant Justice are now held every other Thursday from 12-1 p.m. (Eastern time) over Zoom. The next online prayer gathering is set for Sept. 18. Find more information and RSVP at www.onearthpeace.org/2025_09_prayer_gathering_for_immigrant_justice
A new Biweekly Pastoral Care Gathering in Spanish and Haitian Creole takes place from 6-7 p.m. (Eastern time) over Zoom starting Monday, Sept. 22. More information will be made available through a WhatsApp group with Spanish-speaking and Haitian Creole-speaking pastors. To be added to the WhatsApp group, please contact 561-647-8981.
The team also shared a thank you and various updates:
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have contributed to the legal and mutual aid fund to support our immigrant siblings in Church of the Brethren congregations across the nation! We are well on our way to our goal of $100,000 but still have a long way to go! Please consider collecting a special offering or hosting a fundraiser so we can help cover high legal costs and supportive resources for families affected or who are at risk of detention and deportation. To donate, you can send a check to Atlantic Southeast District with DDR in the memo line. Checks can be sent to: Atlantic Southeast District, 64954 Orchard Dr., Goshen, IN 46526. Questions? Contact Beth Sollenberger at atlanticsoutheastcob@gmail.com. To apply for aid from the fund contact ddrcobcoordinator@gmail.com or 561-647-8981.
“Calling all lawyers! We had a successful meeting with many Brethren lawyers at the end of August! Thank you to all who joined us! If you are a lawyer or know a lawyer who would like to join us in supporting our immigrant siblings in Church of the Brethren churches who are in need of legal assistance, please contact migrantjustice@onearthpeace.org
“Prayer requests:
- Pray for the 10 detained, 11 deported, and for their families in Church of the Brethren congregations across the nation
- Pray for people seeking asylum, green cards, and citizenship
- Pray for a unified resistance to all injustice against immigrants
- Pray for all government officials
- Pray for all legal professionals, faith leaders, and community leaders supporting immigrants
“Praises!
- A in San Diego was released from detention!
- B in Pennsylvania was approved for a green card!
- H, E, and P in Florida became U.S. Citizens!
- A family in Virginia’s asylum case was approved!
Join us in Prayer and Praise!”
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Largest congregations send leaders for a time of learning, sharing, and support
- Intercultural Ministries schedules first ‘frontliners’ training, announces new online book club
- Faithful Response Immigration gathering offers inspiration and retreat experience for leaders of immigrant support efforts
- Congregations join with Manchester University students at press conference at Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana
- Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center and Brethren Press partner to offer Faith Formation Series