“My faith compelled me to respond,” one woman states, after in early 2025 seeing the harm of the new administration’s policies affecting immigrants and other vulnerable people. Many Brethren have felt their faith compel them to respond, too, and like her, have stepped up to lead and become involved with rapid response networks in their communities.
DDR
Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
The business agenda for the 2026 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has been announced. Along with numerous reports and the ballot, the delegate body will receive an interim report from the Review and Evaluation Committee and will consider four items of new business: resolutions on weapons transfer and care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers, and the yet-to-be-announced recommended COLA for the pastoral scale.
Faithful Response Immigration gathering offers inspiration and retreat experience for leaders of immigrant support efforts
The Faithful Response Immigration Gathering on March 17-19 at Camp Christian in Marysville, Ohio, drew participation from the four sponsoring denominations and others involved in immigration ministries.
Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court
The Supreme Court this week heard arguments in the case Noem v. Al Otro Lado in which the Church of the Brethren has joined an interfaith amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the plaintiffs. On Feb. 17, the Church of the Brethren joined with 30 other denominations and faith organizations in filing the amici curiae brief. The interfaith amicus brief was coordinated by the Kairos Center on Religion, Rights, and Justice.
‘Faithful Response Immigration Gathering’ planned for Ohio in March
The Church of the Brethren, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, and Mennonite Church USA are sponsoring a “Faithful Response Immigration Gathering” at Camp Christian in Marysville, Ohio, from March 17-19
Deportation Defense Legal and Mutual Aid Fund seeks to meet $250,000 goal by Easter
All of the following individuals have received money because their congregation applied for a Deportation Defense Response Legal and Mutual Aid Grant. Thanks be to God!
Educational resources and upcoming events are provided by the Deportation Defense Response Team
The Deportation Defense Response Team, an initiative of several Church of the Brethren districts with the Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace, has provided a toolkit of resources online at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/168SYb-D3cMBO8ORb4sDXMqMbA2yvSGCN.
Deportation Defense Response offers new online giving option to support Church of the Brethren members, shares requests for prayer and praise
“Did you know there have now been 27 Church of the Brethren members helped because of your generosity?” said an announcement from the Deportation Defense Response team. “Folks who have received these funds that have covered the high costs of legal and filing fees have expressed to the team that they are so thankful and they feel they are not alone.”
Deportation Defense Response Team provides an update
The Deportation Defense Response Team provides the following update on the numbers, first initials, and locations of Church of the Brethren immigrant congregants affected by detention or deportation. This information was updated on Sept. 19. The team continues to urge congregations to take up special offerings and fundraise within their communities to support the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund.
More upcoming events from the Deportation Defense Response Team
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.
