With the threat of a Russian invasion looming in Ukraine, faith communities are uniting in their message to Congress and the Biden administration, calling for leaders to protect human lives and prevent war. The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has joined other Christian denominations and interfaith groups in sending a joint letter to Congress and the Biden administration. The letter, dated Jan. 27, 2022, urged leaders in the US, Russia, and Ukraine to invest in diplomacy, reject a militaristic response, and act to prevent human suffering.
Ecumenical
Letter encourages equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has signed an interfaith letter encouraging action by the US administration to ensure everyone has equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccine and other tools necessary to contain the pandemic. The letter gained 81 signatories.
Imagine! God’s earth and people restored
Along with over 1,000 other concerned faith and non-faith advocates, I had the opportunity of participating in the first-ever virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference. This year’s EAD took place from Sunday, April 18, to Wednesday, April 21, on the theme, “Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored,” and consisted of an opening session, two days of workshops, and one day devoted to congressional advocacy.
‘Let us pray together in the time of COVID-19’: World Council of Churches to convene worldwide online prayer service
The World Council of Churches (WCC) will convene a global online prayer service on March 26 at 9 a.m. (Eastern time, or 2 p.m. Central European Time) as part of “A Week of Prayer in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The week of prayer begins Monday, March 22, to commemorate a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic.
Brethren Press managing editor joins in meeting of Committee on the Uniform Lessons Series
Brethren Press managing editor James Deaton (right, shown at center) attended the 2021 annual meeting of the Committee on the Uniform Lessons Series (CUS). The series is a basis for Bible study curriculum used in common by many denominations and publishing partners. Deaton attended on behalf of the Church of the Brethren publishing house, which uses the adult curriculum outlines for A Guide for Biblical Studies. He also is a member of the Adult Age‐Level Team, which reviews the development of the curriculum outlines for adults and creates teaching strategies.
Church of the Brethren calls for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh
The following statement was released today by the General Secretary of the Church of the Brethren and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy: “Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10). The Church of the Brethren is concerned with
‘The Church in Black and White’ symposium is planned for Sept. 12
The Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va., announces “The Church in Black and White,” a one-day symposium on the racial history and future of the Brethren and Mennonite churches, Saturday, Sept. 12, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, and virtually via Zoom.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2020 imagines God’s earth and people restored
The 2020 Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) take place April 24-27 in Washington, D.C. The event includes a national gathering of Christian advocates and activists, and a lobby day. The theme this year, “Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored,” explores the intersection of climate change and economic injustice. The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding
Church of the Brethren signs ‘Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran’
The Church of the Brethren has signed on to the following “Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran’”: January 3, 2020 Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran As people of faith, we condemn the United States’ dangerous aggression towards Iran, including the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the deployment of additional troops to the
Church of the Brethren signs letter to presidential candidates on military budget
The Church of the Brethren is one of 32 faith groups that signed a letter to the 2020 presidential candidates calling for a reduction in military spending and redirection of those funds to address needs such as poverty, hunger, education, healthcare, and the environment, among others. An additional 70 or so individual faith leaders also