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
- Judge denies preliminary injunction in sensitive locations lawsuit
A US District Court judge has denied a preliminary injunction motion in Mennonite USA v. DHS, the sensitive locations lawsuit in which the Church of the Brethren is one of 27 plaintiffs.
- ‘Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces’ nationwide prayer vigil supports lawsuit to protect sanctuaries
An interfaith prayer vigil on the evening of Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) held both in-person at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., (5 Thomas Circle NW) and online via live-stream will support a court hearing in the sensitive locations lawsuit.
- Mission and Ministry Board adopts resolution on weapons transfers at spring meeting
A resolution on weapons transfers was adopted by the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board at its spring meeting held March 7-9 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Colin Scott led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele.
- Church of the Brethren signs ‘Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge’
The Church of the Brethren has signed the “Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge” as one of the Covenant Members of Church World Service (CWS).
- Church of the Brethren general secretary’s declaration filed alongside dozens of others in motion for preliminary injunction of policy on sensitive sites
Here is an update on the lawsuit filed on Feb. 11, 2025, on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and more than two dozen other Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations, in response to the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests, and other enforcement actions at houses of worship.
- More than two dozen Christian and Jewish denominations and associations—including the Church of the Brethren—sue to protect religious freedoms
Más de dos docenas de denominaciones y asociaciones cristianas y judías demandan para proteger las libertades religiosas (lea más en español a continuación) Reversal of the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘Sensitive Locations’ Policy interferes with central religious beliefs, violates both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Today, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy
- Marcia Sowles joins the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Marcia Sowles has joined the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy in Washington, D.C., volunteering as a Policy and Governmental Affairs associate. She will primarily focus on immigration policy by also providing legal expertise on related issues.
- Death Row Support Project offers series of informational sessions
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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 →