Throughout October, congregations are encouraged to raise awareness about the serious problem of domestic violence. Activities may include providing members with information through a bulletin insert (available at www.brethren.org/family/domestic-violence.html ); creating a bulletin board with facts about domestic violence; publicizing the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) and 800-787-3224 (TDD); hosting a speaker from a local domestic violence shelter or the YWCA; and remembering in prayer people who have been affected by domestic violence.
Advocacy
Gardening Project Continues to Enrich Nutrition for Alaskan Communities
This was our tenth summer of traveling to Alaska to encourage, teach, and promote vegetable gardening. Bill went to Circle at the beginning of April, six weeks earlier than the usual mid-May arrival, hoping to make this year the most beneficial and successful yet.
Office of Public Witness Staff Connect with Visiting Korean Church Delegation
The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) hosted a delegation from the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) this week to advocate for a permanent peace treaty between North and South Korea. The Church of the Brethren is a member organization of the NCC, and staff of the Office of Public Witness participated in events with the Korean delegation. Delegation members visited with key members of Congress, White House officials, and members of the ecumenical community to discuss prospects for peace.
Mission and Service Executive Joins in Meetings at White House, State Department
Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service, met with White House officials to raise concerns about the US drone warfare program. The meeting in Washington, D.C., included other denominational leaders from other faith traditions with statements challenging US drone warfare.
Brethren Sign on to Letter to Mend Divisions Between Communities, Law Enforcement
Church of the Brethren interim general secretary Dale Minnich has signed on to a letter from an interfaith coalition to Congressional leaders, which urges that steps be taken to mend divisions between communities and law enforcement.
Un punto de referencia y de refugio
Los Líderes de la Iglesia de los Hermanos, ante las olas de tiroteos, y violencias que ha sacudido nuestra Nación, pronunciaron las siguientes declaraciones’ firmada por Carol A. Scheppard, quien es la Moderadora de la Conferencia anual, Samuel Sarpiya, Moderador electo de la conferencia anual, y Dale E. Minnich, Secretario general interino de la Iglesia de los Hermanos
Church Leaders Call the Brethren to Be ‘A Landmark of Refuge’ in a Time of ‘Great Civil Violence’
Church of the Brethren leaders have released a statement following on a week of shootings that have rocked the nation. The statement is signed by Carol A. Scheppard, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; Samuel Sarpiya, moderator-elect of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; and Dale E. Minnich, interim general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. The statement follows in full:
Leaders on the Brethren Staff Call for Courage to Proclaim and Embody Peace
Today leaders on the Church of the Brethren denominational staff released the following statement responding to the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla.:
Interfaith Letter Raises Concerns, Urges Greater Transparency on Drone Warfare
Church of the Brethren interim general secretary Dale Minnich and On Earth Peace executive director Bill Scheurer were among 28 faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh traditions who sent an interfaith letter on drone warfare to President Barack Obama. Staff of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Public Witness were among those who created the letter on behalf of the Interfaith Drone Network.
Community Gardeners Converge in Wisconsin to Discuss Their Work
Earlier this month, gardeners converged on Wisconsin from many corners of the country to discuss their work and dream about the next phase of the Going to the Garden initiative. Gardeners hailed from New Mexico, Alaska, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.