“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.”
Intercultural Ministries
Grants from Church of the Brethren funds support disaster relief, food security, and congregational outreach projects
A number of grants have been made recently from Church of the Brethren denominational funds including the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) for disaster relief, the Global Food Initiative fund (GFI) for food security, and the Brethren Faith in Action fund (BFIA) to support congregational outreach projects.
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.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy shares update on Mennonite USA v. DHS
On Sept. 22, the Church of the Brethren and other plaintiffs filed their opening brief in their appeal of the district court’s decision denying their motion for a preliminary injunction in Mennonite USA v. DHS.
Gifts to immigrant legal and mutual aid fund top $40,000
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.
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.
Ventures program announces courses for October and November
The Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College has announces its next courses for this fall. In October, “Immigrant Solidarity in Jesus’ Name” will be presented by leaders in the Church of the Brethren’s Deportation Defense Response team. In November, “Making Sense of God’s Violent Behavior in the Old Testament” will be presented by Eric Seibert, pastor at Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.
Lake J Jottings from Frank Ramirez: Finding hope through action
Thursday’s workshop, “Finding hope through action: Caring for immigrants in our community and our call to embody love,” outlined precise preparation and action to be taken by congregations and individuals committed to welcoming and nurturing immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and many others in various categories.
Deportation Defense Response Team provides an update
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.
Webinar to inform on ‘Importance and Process of Applying for Asylum’
The Deportation Defense Response Team is inviting pastors, church leaders, allies, and brother and sister immigrants to participate in a webinar on the “Importance and Process of Applying for Asylum” led by attorney Margaret Blot.
