On Nov. 20, I attended a congressional hearing on the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Coming from a different meeting, I arrived 10 minutes before the start. The room was so full that there was a line down the hallway. This was the most interest in Nigeria that I’ve witnessed on Capitol Hill since the abduction of the schoolgirls from Chibok more than 10 years ago. I am hopeful to see this much attention on Nigeria, but the focus of this attention on potential military action is troubling.
Peace
La Verne Church issues statement on the violence in Israel and Palestine
In February, the La Verne Church of the Brethren Peace and Justice Commission brought to the Church Board a proposal to speak to the violence, injustice, and inequality Palestinians are experiencing in Palestine and Israel.
CMEP welcomes ceasefire implementation with cautious hope and calls for a permanent end to the war on Gaza
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas with cautious optimism. After nearly two years of relentless warfare, widespread destruction, and devastating loss of life, we pray this agreement marks a turning point toward peace, justice, and healing for all who call the Holy Land home.
Church of the Brethren Peace Conference is held in Tanzania
On Aug. 15-17, a Church of the Brethren Peace Conference in Mwanza, Tanzania, brought together church leaders as potters of hope, molding visions of amani (peace) and tumaini (hope) into forms that can serve their communities.
Mountville Church hosts memorial for those lost to gun violence in Lancaster County
On the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, Mountville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren hosted a candlelight peace vigil to lament the 100-plus lives lost to gun violence in Lancaster County, Pa.
A living legacy: The United Nations commemorates 80 years
The Living Legacy memorial event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Friday, Sept. 19, was an evening highlighting 80 years of achievements, advances, failures, and assessment of where we are today, while setting a goal for a future UN contained in the Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals among others.
Northern Plains District joins in statement of grief from Minnesota Council of Churches following Catholic school shooting
The Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren, which includes the state of Minnesota in its area, joined in a statement of grief from the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) following the shooting of children from Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 27.
National Council of Churches issues pastoral letter on the urgency of climate action
The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has issued a pastoral letter on the urgency of climate action. The Church of the Brethren is a founding member of the NCC. The denomination’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy relates with the NCC as a partner organization and is commending the letter.
More than 100 organizations sound the alarm to allow in life-saving aid to Gaza
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) joins 115 humanitarian and human rights organizations in sounding the alarm over the catastrophic starvation crisis in Gaza. As part of this joint statement, CMEP urges governments to take immediate and decisive action to end Israel’s siege, open all land crossings, restore the full flow of essential aid, and demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Marking 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Aug. 6 and 9 mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombings resulted in a combined death toll of approximately 200,000 to 250,000 people by the end of 1945. In Hiroshima, it is estimated that 70,000 to 140,000 people died, while in Nagasaki, the estimated death toll was 39,000 to 74,000.
