More than 40 volunteers from the Church of the Brethren’s West Marva District worked together to build more than 30 twin-sized beds for children in the local area who have no bed of their own or face inadequate sleeping conditions.
“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.”
The following is offered as a clarification of the status of commissioned ministers in the denomination following the recent article reporting on an action taken by Shenandoah District.
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.
Angella F. Haranzo began Sept. 21 as half-time associate district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District. She has been interim director of District Conference, Nurture and Witness for the district.
At the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference this summer, On Earth Peace challenged the denomination to raise $100,000 to provide a Legal and Mutual Aid Fund to support Church of the Brethren members facing challenges as a result of the detention and deportation efforts of agencies that are part of the government’s Homeland Security administration.
Stan Dueck has been selected to fill the role of director of Discipleship Ministries for the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Northeast District. He is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren who most recently worked on the denominational staff in the Discipleship and Leadership Formation department.
The Deportation Defense Response Team provides the following update on the numbers of Church of the Brethren immigrant members and attenders affected by detention or deportation. For the most part, we cannot provide names, but we can share the data we have as of Aug. 12.
Across the nation, immigrants in our communities are under attack. Our own congregations have experienced firsthand the devastating injustices committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Many members have been unjustly detained and deported, and many more are living in fear—afraid to attend church services, work, or go to necessary medical appointments.
The Council of District Executives (CODE) held meetings in Greensboro, N.C., June 30-July 2 prior to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
