#LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #RacialJustice
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team would like to invite your congregation to remember gun violence victims who have passed away in 2024 by hosting a vigil or service in December as part of the Newtown Action Alliance’s 2024 Nationwide Vigils to #EndGunViolence initiative.
This month the Standing with People of Color Committee will offer two opportunities for facilitator training for those interested in leading “7 Prompts” conversations in their communities and congregations.
While reflecting upon the tragedy of the German church experience during the 1930s, theologian Martin Niemöller used these words:
“First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out…
Urgent action is required to call on members of Congress to denounce and vote no on a proposed version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would put into law automated Selective Service or military draft registration for both men and women. The NDAA is the major defense policy bill put forward by the Senate Committee on Armed Services. If passed by Congress, the provision would take effect in the next federal fiscal year.
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is extending care for Haitian migrants and the community of Springfield, Ohio, and is calling for a cessation of verbal and physical violence in this volatile period of time in our country. The statement follows in English, Haitian Creole, and French (translation into Spanish will be made available soon)
Over 50 people gathered outside Raytheon/RTX, one of 10 weapons contractors in Fort Wayne, Ind., on the afternoon of Sept. 5. Participants representing at least six Church of the Brethren congregations from the two church districts in Indiana, and a group of 10 from the Manchester University Kenapocomoco Peace Coalition, were joined by other Christians, Muslims, Jews, and non-faith folks to say a strong “NO!” to the Israeli/US genocide against Gaza.
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele was one of more than 200 Christian leaders from around the world who signed a public letter in advance of the address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, which took place the afternoon of Wednesday, July 24.
In the wake of dramatic increases in gun violence nationwide, the Church of the Brethren is taking a strong stance on gun violence this week. The church’s Gun Violence Prevention Action Team supported by the denominational agency On Earth Peace is leading a public witness and vigil on Saturday, July 6, at 4:45 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle .
Over the last eight months, it has felt, at least to me, difficult to imagine constructively and hopefully. While the work of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy continues to cover a range of topics and organizational partners, we have spent considerably more time than usual in relation to Israel and Palestine.
The United Nations Civil Society (NGO) conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 9-10. At that time, a “Summit of the Future” will be held on the continent from where millions of people were transported as commodities between the 16th and 19th centuries. This report covers a portion of the UN events that I’ve attended in 2023 through March 2024, along with information that can be found at the United Nations websites.
