The issue of gun violence in our country is disrupting the peace that passes all understanding, which our Prince of Peace brings to us! Like many others, Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren is devastated to see innocent people, even little children, becoming victims of gun violence and losing their lives even before they know what life is all about.
A new Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team launched in January 2023, with the purpose of encouraging the Church of the Brethren to be faithful as an effective force for reducing gun violence in our neighborhoods and wherever it occurs. On Earth Peace is convening this action team as part of a broader campaign to activate advocates for gun violence prevention.
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has signed a letter sent by peace church organizations and other peace groups to the Senate Armed Services Committee. The letter urges an end to the Selective Service System and rejection of any attempt to add women to the group on which the burden of draft registration is imposed. The letter supports a piece of bipartisan legislation, S 1139, that would repeal the Military Selective Service Act.
If you are concerned about the rights of conscientious objectors and the Selective Service System (aka “the draft”), the time to act is now.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has issued a statement condemning the violence in Jerusalem and calling for the Biden administration to intervene immediately.
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has endorsed the Selective Service Repeal Act on the recommendation of longterm partner organization the Center on Conscience and War (CCW). The bill offers an alternative during a time when others are urging Congress to expand draft registration to women as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022.
As part of his work as joint staff with the National Council of Churches (NCC), Nathan Hosler has organized a webinar on March 19 at 12 noon on the “Ecumenical Call to Just Peace.” Hosler is director of Peace Witness Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, working out of Washington, D.C. This webinar will feature presenters from four distinct streams of church life.
A Counter-Recruitment Conference sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) US will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 3-5. On Earth Peace is planning a delegation from the Church of the Brethren, led by staff member Matt Guynn, coordinator of Peace Witness. “This is an open invitation event which a group of Mennonites who