All of the following individuals have received money because their congregation applied for a Deportation Defense Response Legal and Mutual Aid Grant. Thanks be to God!
On Earth Peace
Intercessory prayer and action needed as TPS is ended for Haitians living in the US
Members of the Church of the Brethren Deportation Defense Response Team were in Miami, Fla., this past weekend, meeting with Church of the Brethren denominational and district leadership. We worshiped with Haitian sisters and brothers in Church of the Brethren congregations in southern Florida, and were part of fervent prayers for God’s intervention and protection as the federal government moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the US, as of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Sydney Goldsborough joins staff of On Earth Peace
Sydney Goldsborough has been hired by On Earth Peace in the new role of director of Administration and Communication. The fulltime appointment is to the permanent staff of the organization. On Earth Peace is an agency of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Educational resources and upcoming events are provided by the Deportation Defense Response Team
The Deportation Defense Response Team, an initiative of several Church of the Brethren districts with the Intercultural Ministries and On Earth Peace, has provided a toolkit of resources online at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/168SYb-D3cMBO8ORb4sDXMqMbA2yvSGCN.
DDR Legal and Mutual Aid Grant Fund enters second phase, announces $250,000 goal
The Deportation Defense Response team is incredibly grateful for the generous support of the Legal and Mutual Aid Grant Fund. At the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference on July 7, 2025, On Earth Peace challenged the denomination to raise $100,000. And the church did it, and more. As of Dec. 1, 2025, $138,300 has been raised to support individuals and families caught in the immigration system.
$100,000 raised for Legal and Mutual Aid Fund, On Earth Peace shares need for $150,000 more
The Deportation Defense Response Team is incredibly grateful for your generous support of the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund. At Annual Conference, On Earth Peace challenged the denomination to raise $100,000. You did it! As of Oct. 31, $107,380 has been raised to support individuals and families caught in the immigration system.
Deportation Defense Response offers new online giving option to support Church of the Brethren members, shares requests for prayer and praise
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
