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.
Peace
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.
Chicago First Church of the Brethren joins Apartheid Free Communities network
Chicago (Ill.) First Church of the Brethren prayerfully took the pledge to join the Apartheid Free Communities network. Chicago First Church is the 400th organization to join under the sponsorship of American Friends Service Committee and the first Church of the Brethren congregation to join.
Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team invites congregations to plan gun violence vigils in December
The Church of the Brethren Gun Violence Prevention Action Team would like to invite your congregation to remember gun violence victims who have passed away in 2024 by hosting a vigil or service in December as part of the Newtown Action Alliance’s 2024 Nationwide Vigils to #EndGunViolence initiative.
Lititz Church of the Brethren hosts gun violence prevention event
On International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, Lititz (Pa.) Church of the Brethren erected a Memorial to the Lost. This memorial displayed more than 90 t-shirts, each marked with the name, date of death, and age at death of a person killed by gun homicide in Lancaster County, Pa.
Freeport Church gains media attention for its ongoing witness against gun violence
Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren held a peace gathering in September as part of its ongoing witness against gun violence. Families who have lost loved ones to violence attended the event, which received coverage from the local ABC television news.
Intercultural Ministry Advisory Committee issues statement
While reflecting upon the tragedy of the German church experience during the 1930s, theologian Martin Niemöller used these words:
“First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out…
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.
General secretary extends care to Haitian migrants and Springfield, calls for cessation of violence in this volatile time
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is extending care for Haitian migrants and the community of Springfield, Ohio, and is calling for a cessation of verbal and physical violence in this volatile period of time in our country. The statement follows in English, Haitian Creole, and French (translation into Spanish will be made available soon)
Peace witness at Raytheon/RTX brings together Church of the Brethren and other participants
Over 50 people gathered outside Raytheon/RTX, one of 10 weapons contractors in Fort Wayne, Ind., on the afternoon of Sept. 5. Participants representing at least six Church of the Brethren congregations from the two church districts in Indiana, and a group of 10 from the Manchester University Kenapocomoco Peace Coalition, were joined by other Christians, Muslims, Jews, and non-faith folks to say a strong “NO!” to the Israeli/US genocide against Gaza.
