In a 1980 Annual Conference statement titled “The Time Is so Urgent: Threats to Peace,” Brethren recognized a potential nuclear arms race as one of the most pressing political problems for peacebuilders to address. Amazingly, 40 years later we find ourselves on similarly shaky ground where the barrier between stability and hostility appears increasingly thin. By recently committing to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, the current US administration has compromised the systems set in place to avoid an arms race or military engagement–and the church should take notice.
Peace
What does the Lord require? A statement from David Steele, General Secretary, Church of the Brethren
Our hearts break for the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others who have lost their lives due to the color of their skin. Each death represents injustices disproportionately affecting the Black community.
National commission focuses on strengthening the country’s ability to go to war
Maria Santelli, executive director of the Center on Conscience and War (CCW), provided the following update about the Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. It follows on a statement to the commission by a group of 13 Anabaptist church bodies represented at an Anabaptist Church Consultation on June 4, 2019 (see the Newsline report
Brethren Benefit Trust updates its Department of Defense screening lists for 2020
By Jean Bednar, director of communications for Brethren Benefit Trust Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) has released the 2020 Department of Defense lists that are used for screening investments under its management. All investments managed for members, clients, and donors follow Brethren Values Investing guidelines that are consistent with Church of the Brethren Annual Conference statements.
Garkida attacked by Boko Haram, town was birthplace of EYN in Nigeria
The town of Garkida in northeast Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram the night of Feb. 21-22. Garkida is considered the birthplace of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) as the place where the Church of the Brethren was started in Nigeria in 1923. Many buildings were burned in the
Garkida attacked by Boko Haram
The town of Garkida in northeastern Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram the night of Feb. 21-22. A number of buildings were burned, including the church building for Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN—the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The EYN women’s fellowship of Garkida district was having its annual conference at the church that
Nigerian Brethren district leader and ecumenical leader Lawan Andimi has been executed by Boko Haram
Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured” (Hebrews 13:3). Lawan Andimi was executed by Boko Haram yesterday, Jan. 20. He was an ordained minister in Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in
United Nations representative reports from human rights events in 2019
Doris Theresa Abdullah, the United Nations representative for the Church of the Brethren, has attended several human rights events on behalf of the denomination in 2019. Commenting on the need for peace and light in the world, she noted that the events highlighted many concerns including “the darkness of hate, religious intolerance, greed, racism, discrimination,
Church of the Brethren signs ‘Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran’
The Church of the Brethren has signed on to the following “Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran’”: January 3, 2020 Faith Statement on Escalating Violence with Iran As people of faith, we condemn the United States’ dangerous aggression towards Iran, including the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the deployment of additional troops to the
Church of the Brethren signs letter to presidential candidates on military budget
The Church of the Brethren is one of 32 faith groups that signed a letter to the 2020 presidential candidates calling for a reduction in military spending and redirection of those funds to address needs such as poverty, hunger, education, healthcare, and the environment, among others. An additional 70 or so individual faith leaders also