Members of the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team were in Miami, Fla., this past weekend, meeting with Church of the Brethren denominational and district leadership. We worshiped with Haitian sisters and brothers in Church of the Brethren congregations in southern Florida, and were part of fervent prayers for God’s intervention and protection as the federal government moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the US, as of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Church of the Brethren Newsline
Children’s Disaster Services volunteers serve at American Airlines first anniversary memorial
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) served on Jan. 29 at the first anniversary American Airlines memorial for the 67 people killed in the mid-air collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025.
Intercultural Ministries hosts workshop ‘Why Can’t They See What I See?’
Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries is inviting you to an online workshop held via Zoom on the topic, “Why Can’t They See What I See?” The event is scheduled for Feb. 7 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (Eastern time). The event will feature professor Jonathan Kim of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Open Circle congregation mobilizes to support Minneapolis and surrounding communities
Since President Trump initiated his federal immigration crackdown, sending thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minnesota, the communities that Open Circle Church of the Brethren supports have been in crisis.
Two Church of the Brethren pastors respond to Minneapolis call for clergy support
At least two Church of the Brethren pastors—Jenn Hosler of Washington (D.C.) City Church of the Brethren and Matt Rittle of Arlington (Va.) Church of the Brethren—answered a call from local organizers for interfaith ministers to go to Minneapolis, Minn., last week as clergy support during events responding to immigration enforcement.
Michigan District Leadership Team issues letter of lament over immigration enforcement violence
The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren’s Michigan District has written a letter “with heavy hearts and profound sorrow over a series of tragic events that have shaken our nation and deeply burdened our consciences.” The letter responded to recent violence related to immigration enforcement including the shootings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Witkovsky-Eldred and Rendler begin as interim co-directors of Brethren Volunteer Service
Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred and Virginia Rendler have accepted the positions of interim co-directors of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), starting Jan. 26.
Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center offers workshop on Love Feast basics
“Love Feast: Past, Present, and Future” led by Denise Kettering-Lane will be held on Friday, March 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Eastern time) at Cross Keys Village in New Oxford, Pa. This free event sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) is in-person only. Continuing education credit is available for the fee of $10.
Brethren bits
— “Do you have a story to share with us?” The Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team is looking for stories of individuals in congregations who have been directly impacted by immigration enforcement and policy changes, and also for stories of people practicing “faith in motion” on behalf of immigrant neighbors and siblings
Church of the Brethren congregations offer remote worship opportunities
An updated listing of Church of the Brethren congregations offering online worship services