{"id":27408,"date":"2026-06-30T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27408"},"modified":"2026-07-01T03:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T03:39:19","slug":"walking-together-resolution-adopted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/walking-together-resolution-adopted\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Walking Together\u2019 resolution on care for immigrants is adopted"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Frances Townsend<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mission and Ministry Board brought their recent resolution for adoption by the delegate body. Titled \u201cWalking Together: Immigration, Peacemaking, Conscience, and Supporting our Neighbors,\u201d it reiterates that \u201ccare for immigrants and refugees is an essential part of the Christian and Church of the Brethren ethic of service and peacemaking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The delegates voted to adopt the resolution with a very strong majority.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resolution cites biblical foundations and quotes many previous Annual Conference statements and resolutions touching on issues named in its title. Those undergirding church statements show the denomination\u2019s long history of caring. The history starts with the founding of the Brethren movement in 1708 with adult baptisms that were a form of civil disobedience in central Germany at the time, leading to the early Brethren themselves becoming religious refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noting that \u201cChurch of the Brethren history and traditions include radical discipleship, conscientious objection, and participation in civil disobedience,\u201d the resolution indicates that in addition to serving the needs of immigrants and refugees, and doing advocacy of their behalf, more may be needed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Presenting the “Walking Together” resolution were (from left) Kathy Mack, chair of the Mission and Ministry Board; Founa Augustin Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren; and Nate Hosler, director of the denomination’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy. Photo by Kathy Mack<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The resolution states, \u201cIn cases where government policies are unjust or conflict with biblical teachings, the Church of the Brethren has supported individuals to follow their conscience and in some cases, has encouraged open, nonviolent civil disobedience to such laws.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A list of calls to action is included for individuals, congregations, districts, and the denomination. These include steps such as learning more about immigrants and their stories, praying for immigrants, giving material aid, building relationships, sharing power, and advocating for immigrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A landing page of resources to help individuals, small groups, and congregations study the resolution and the concerns surrounding it is at www.brethren.org\/walking-together<\/a>. Resources include the full text of the resolution in English and several other languages; immigration resources; Bible studies; a set of supporting scripture texts; links to related Annual Conference and board statements; and related Messenger articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Frances Townsend is a member of the 2026 Annual Conference Press Team.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n