The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy works in Washington, DC to advocate for Brethren values including peace and nonviolence, welcoming immigrants, and environmental justice in the context of U.S. policy.
Why does our Brethren voice matter?
Our denomination’s 1989 Annual Conference statement on Church and State says that “Christians and the church are called at times to speak a prophetic word to the state. When the state is doing things that negate and deny God’s will as revealed in Jesus Christ and the Bible, Christians must speak out, doing so in love and respect for those engaged in wrongdoing and those being wronged (Eph. 4:15). When the state is doing things which move in the general direction of God’s will and way (human well-being, justice and peace), Christians can give support and commendation.”
We take the Biblical call to use our voices to speak out for justice seriously. We amplify the voices of Nigerians impacted by Boko Haram violence, call for an end to drone warfare, and advocate on a variety of other peace-related issues.
What is WISC?
Our office is part of a broader network in Washington DC named the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC). WISC is made up of more than 80 national religious bodies and faith-based organizations, encompassing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Humanist faiths to collaborate on joint advocacy for U.S. government policies that advance a more just, peaceful and ecologically sustainable world.
Visit the WISC website for more information.
Our office also partners and works closely with several other faith-based organizations that work on peace and social justice issues, in line with the 2018 Annual Conference Statement on Ecumenism.
These organizations include:
- Center on Conscience and War
- Creation Justice Ministries
- Churches for Middle East Peace
- Church World Service
- Christian Peacemaker Teams
- Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD)
- National Farm Worker Ministry
- National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Volunteer and intern options
Our work sounds interesting?
BVS volunteers
Each year, we are happy for new volunteers to join our office through the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) to contribute to our mission while gaining invaluable insight in advocacy work in Washington DC.
Check out the BVS webpage for more information about how you can serve with us.
Interns
Whether you have studied or are studying political science, law or related subjects, we would love to be in contact with you about an internship or fellowship.
For any further questions, contact NHosler@brethren.org.
Our office is located on Capitol Hill inside the Washington City Church of the Brethren on 337 North Carolina Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003.
Peace News
- 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.
- ‘Climate & Peace’ webinar will learn from stories from around the world
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).
- How do we understand Israel’s occupation of Palestine? An explanation of recent opinions by the ICJ and ICC
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 signs public letter in advance of Israeli Prime Minister’s address to Congress
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.
- Educational walking tour will explore the Ken-O-Sha watershed in Grand Rapids
The Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and the Brethren Creation Care Network are sponsoring an educational walking tour of the Ken-O-Sha watershed in Grand Rapids, Mich., during Annual Conference.
- Death Row Support Project offers set of informational sessions
The Death Row Support Project announces an upcoming set of informational sessions for people who are interested in exploring the possibility of writing to a person on death row.
- Imagine a future that is different: Office of Peacebuilding and Policy joins delegation to Israel/Palestine
Over the last eight months, it has felt, at least to me, difficult to imagine constructively and hopefully. While the work of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy continues to cover a range of topics and organizational partners, we have spent considerably more time than usual in relation to Israel and Palestine.
- Connecting at Christian Citizenship Seminar 2024
Making connections is one of my life’s joys, and the Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) held on April 11-16 in Washington, D.C., was a place to make them.
- Ecumenical Advocacy Days holds a Spring Summit on ‘Faith in Action’
Registration is still open for the Ecumenical Advocacy Days Spring Summit 2024, an in-person event on May 17-19 in Washington, D.C. The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy is a sponsor of the event and director Nathan Hosler is on the planning team, alongside other ecumenical partners.
- Church of the Brethren general secretary among more than 140 global Christian leaders calling for permanent Gaza ceasefire
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele was among more than 140 global Christian leaders signing a new letter, released during Holy Week ahead of Easter, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
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Office of Peacebuilding and Policy blog posts
- ASAP
The Arms Sales and Accountability Project website shows how to hold members of congress accountable when votes for arms sales come up in congress. Continue reading →
- What Would Jesus Do…with $813 Billion?
Barring political complications, by the end of the summer Congress will have discussed, marked up, and voted on a spending package to fund the government through the upcoming fiscal year. More specifically, this process will determine how much discretionary spending … Continue reading →
- Ecological Injustice in Lagos, Nigeria
One of the more visible effects of global warming is flooding, and coastal cities -like Lagos, Nigeria- are seeing a rise in sea levels, due to melting polar icecaps. As one of the most populous cities on the continent of … Continue reading →
- The Saudi-Arabia-Iran Cold War and the Looming Nuclear Arms Race in the Middle East
by Angelo Olayvar “While recognizing our limitations in fully perceiving the complexities and ambiguities pertinent to the Middle East conflict, we feel compelled to articulate our concerns on matters which are critical in modifying tensions in the area and moving … Continue reading →
- US Militarism and Climate Change
by Angelo Olayvar Earth Day is an annual one-day event on April 22 that seeks to show support for the protection of the environment. According to the official website, the 2021 Earth Day theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’, which focuses … Continue reading →
- The war on terrorism and the erosion of human rights
By Angelo Olayvar It is exactly one month before the impending May 1 deadline to pull out all US troops in Afghanistan. The destruction brought by the wars waged by the United States in the Middle East against terrorism along … Continue reading →