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.
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…
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.
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)
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.
A webinar on “Climate & Peace: Learning from Stories from Around the World” takes place Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. (Eastern time) sponsored jointly by the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).
In the 1991 statement on Peacemaking the Church of the Brethren established that it shall “advance efforts toward a more peaceful world order through supporting the peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was created to deal with disputes between countries that relate to international law. The church in 1991 seemed to recognize the importance of this type of arbiter for furthering conflict resolution and peace. In an effort to carry out this call, understanding the recent decisions by the ICJ related to Israel and Palestine is important for our advocacy.
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele was one of more than 200 Christian leaders from around the world who signed a public letter in advance of the address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, which took place the afternoon of Wednesday, July 24.
In the wake of dramatic increases in gun violence nationwide, the Church of the Brethren is taking a strong stance on gun violence this week. The church’s Gun Violence Prevention Action Team supported by the denominational agency On Earth Peace is leading a public witness and vigil on Saturday, July 6, at 4:45 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle .
Antietam is the second Civil War battlefield that I’ve visited, the other is Gettysburg. Both times, I have found it both peaceful and disquieting how naturally stunning the locations are.
