Last week, I represented the Church of the Brethren by attending a hearing held by the US Senate’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. The hearing was entitled “Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Protecting Our Communities While Respecting the Second Amendment.” The event was presided over by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and it provided an array of incredibly informative testimony regarding the effectiveness of certain gun laws, the human cost of gun violence, and what lessons from the past we can apply to our present problems.
General Secretary
Church of the Brethren Written Testimony to the Senate Subcommittee Hearing on ‘Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence’
The written testimony, submitted in letter form, made by the Peace Witness Ministry on behalf of the Church of the Brethren denomination to the Senate Subcommittee hearing on ‘Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence,’ held Feb. 11, 2013.
Executive Committee of Denominational Board Holds January Meeting
The Executive Committee of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board met in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Jan. 25-26, following meetings of other denominational leaders.
Committee to Study Ecumenism in the 21st Century
A study committee on “The Church of the Brethren and Ecumenism in the 21st Century” has been named. The group is to prepare a statement for Annual Conference giving vision and direction to the Church of the Brethren’s participation in the worldwide community of Christian communions.
Christian Churches Together Urges Fundamental Immigration Reform
Christian leaders representing the breadth of Christian churches and denominations in the United States issued a strong and urgent call for fundamental immigration reform at an annual meeting of Christian Churches Together (CCT). The Church of the Brethren was represented by general secretary Stan Noffsinger, Annual Conference moderator Bob Krouse and moderator-elect Nancy Heishman, and Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden.
Church of the Brethren Joins in Religious Coalition Working to End Gun Violence
The Church of the Brethren has been collaborating with a coalition of over 40 religious groups as a part of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, alliance of religious groups that bases its work in the belief that, “Gun violence is taking an unacceptable toll on our society, in mass killings and in the constant day-to-day of senseless death. While we continue to pray for the families and friends of those who have perished, we must also support our prayers with action” (www.faithsagainstgunviolence.org ).
Delegation Learns About Sensitivities in the Holy Land, Calls for Continued Work for Two-State Solution
Church of the Brethren leaders have returned from an ecumenical delegation to Israel and Palestine with a renewed commitment to a place sacred to the Brethren faith tradition, and a call for the expression of love to all the people involved in the violent struggles ongoing in the Middle East. In an interview made after their return to the US, general secretary Stan Noffsinger and associate general secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury commented on their experience.
Brethren Leaders Send Letter of Support to the People of Newtown
In a call made from Jerusalem Dec. 14, Church of the Brethren general secretary Stanley Noffsinger expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing the news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The news reached him while he and other Brethren leaders were on a delegation to the Middle East. Noffsinger and the delegation has sent a letter to the people of Newtown.
NCC Press Conference Will Call for Meaningful Action on Guns
The National Council of Churches (NCC) has been active since the school shooting in Newtown, by making available resources to congregations and encouraging religious leaders to address the issue of gun violence. Tomorrow the NCC holds a press conference in Washington, D.C., where religious leaders will speak out on gun violence.
General Secretary Responds to School Shooting in Connecticut
General Secretary Stanley Noffsinger expressed his deep sorrow today upon hearing the news of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.