Here is an update on the lawsuit filed on Feb. 11, 2025, on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and more than two dozen other Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations, in response to the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests, and other enforcement actions at houses of worship.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
More than two dozen Christian and Jewish denominations and associations—including the Church of the Brethren—sue to protect religious freedoms
Más de dos docenas de denominaciones y asociaciones cristianas y judías demandan para proteger las libertades religiosas (lea más en español a continuación) Reversal of the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘Sensitive Locations’ Policy interferes with central religious beliefs, violates both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Today, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy
Marcia Sowles joins the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Marcia Sowles has joined the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy in Washington, D.C., volunteering as a Policy and Governmental Affairs associate. She will primarily focus on immigration policy by also providing legal expertise on related issues.
Death Row Support Project offers series of informational sessions
The Death Row Support Project (DRSP) will be holding informational sessions for people interested in learning more about writing to those on death row. Join us on Zoom at any of the below times. During the session we will go over some basics of how this project works, introduce members of the team who are here to support you, and talk about expectations of DRSP writers.
Coalition sends letter calling on senators to support joint resolutions of disapproval on arms sales to Israel
The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is one of more than 100 faith-based and humanitarian organizations signing a letter to the senators in the US Congress urging them to cosponsor and vote in favor of four joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Senators Sanders, Welch, and Merkley regarding several specific major arms sales to Israel.
Proposed National Defense Authorization Act includes automated draft registration for men and women
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.
‘Climate & Peace’ webinar will learn from stories from around the world
A webinar on “Climate & Peace: Learning from Stories from Around the World” takes place Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. (Eastern time) sponsored jointly by the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).
How do we understand Israel’s occupation of Palestine? An explanation of recent opinions by the ICJ and ICC
In the 1991 statement on Peacemaking the Church of the Brethren established that it shall “advance efforts toward a more peaceful world order through supporting the peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was created to deal with disputes between countries that relate to international law. The church in 1991 seemed to recognize the importance of this type of arbiter for furthering conflict resolution and peace. In an effort to carry out this call, understanding the recent decisions by the ICJ related to Israel and Palestine is important for our advocacy.
Church of the Brethren general secretary signs public letter in advance of Israeli Prime Minister’s address to Congress
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.
Educational walking tour will explore the Ken-O-Sha watershed in Grand Rapids
The Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and the Brethren Creation Care Network are sponsoring an educational walking tour of the Ken-O-Sha watershed in Grand Rapids, Mich., during Annual Conference.
