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
- Resolution on weapons transfer is adopted by the 2026 Annual Conference
The delegate body of the 2026 Annual Conference on Wednesday afternoon, July 1, adopted a “Resolution on Weapons Transfer” with a solid majority vote. The paper cites Matthew 5:44b-45, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…,” to call the Church of the Brethren to “examine and respond to the impacts of the arms industry.”
- ‘Walking Together’ resolution on care for immigrants is adopted
The Mission and Ministry Board brought their recent resolution for adoption by the delegate body. Titled “Walking Together: Immigration, Peacemaking, Conscience, and Supporting our Neighbors,” it reiterates that “care for immigrants and refugees is an essential part of the Christian and Church of the Brethren ethic of service and peacemaking.”
- Loving our immigrant neighbors
It was already a timely topic when it was scheduled as one of the Equipping Sessions at the 2026 Annual Conference—but the events of the past few days led “Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors: Legal Updates, Ally Resources, and US Militarism” to be a standing-room-only session, with the seats filled and many people leaning on walls and sitting on the floor.
- Kairos Center issues press statement on Supreme Court case in which Church of the Brethren joined amicus brief
The Kairos Center, which coordinated an amicus brief in which the Church of the Brethren joined with other denominations and faith groups, has issued a press statement on the case “Mullin v. Al Otro Lado.”
- Special Annual Conference events are offered in Fort Wayne this summer
The 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren is offering a number of special events and opportunities this summer in Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
The business agenda for the 2026 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has been announced. Along with numerous reports and the ballot, the delegate body will receive an interim report from the Review and Evaluation Committee and will consider four items of new business: resolutions on weapons transfer and care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers, and the yet-to-be-announced recommended COLA for the pastoral scale.
- Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life
Each year in April, Earth Month and Poetry Month coincide. In each regular issue of Newsline this April, we celebrate God’s good creation and poetry with a special feature. This week we feature some of the biblical poetry that celebrates the creation, preceded by a note from the Earth Day issue of Rooted, the newsletter of the Brethren Creation Care Network
- Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs interfaith letter opposing $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has signed on to an interfaith letter opposing the proposal for a $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon. On Friday, April 3, the White House issued the Presidential Budget Request that included the $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
- ‘Protecting asylum seekers is a biblical responsibility’: Washington pastor speaks at vigil for Noem v. Al Otro Lado
The following remarks were given by Jenn Hosler of the pastoral team at Washington (D.C.) City Church of the Brethren during an interfaith vigil in support of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case Noem v. Al Otro Lado. The Church of the Brethren joined the amicus brief for the case
- Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court
The Supreme Court this week heard arguments in the case Noem v. Al Otro Lado in which the Church of the Brethren has joined an interfaith amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the plaintiffs. On Feb. 17, the Church of the Brethren joined with 30 other denominations and faith organizations in filing the amici curiae brief. The interfaith amicus brief was coordinated by the Kairos Center on Religion, Rights, and Justice.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy blog posts
- Policy UpdatesFor more than three decades, the Church of the Brethren has recognized the relationship between human suffering, fossil fuel consumption, and climate change.
- Legal analysis of the attack on IranThe military attack by the United States on Iran violates Article 2(4) of the UN charter and the limitations on the power of the President under the U.S Constitution.
- Legal Issues Raised by Jan. 3 Venezuela ActionThe military action taken in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, raises serious moral concerns and violated the Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, the limits on the power of the President under the Constitution and the War Powers Act, and limitations on extraterritorial extraditions under international law.
- Just law enforcement? A Brethren reflection on Venezuela strikesHow are Brethren to respond to the recent attack in Venezuela?
- ASAPMembers and friends of the Church of the Brethren worldwide are invited to visit the Arms Sales and Accountability Project website
Older 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 →