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
- 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.
- Church of the Brethren general secretary, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy call for cessation of military action against Iran and call on Iran to end retaliatory strikes in the Middle East
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele and Office of Peacebuilding and Policy director Nathan Hosler are urging the United States and Israel to cease their military actions against Iran and are calling on Iran to end its retaliatory strikes against surrounding countries where the US has military bases.
- Church of the Brethren joins amici curiae brief in the Supreme Court
On Feb. 17, the Church of the Brethren joined with 30 other denominations and faith organizations in filing an amici curiae brief in the Supreme Court in support of the plaintiffs in Noem v. Al Otro Lado, No. 25-5. The case is challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to prevent individuals from filing for asylum at ports of entry.
- Court of Appeals will hear argument in sensitive location lawsuit on Feb. 5
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C., will hear opening oral arguments in an appeal for injunctive relief in the “sensitive locations” lawsuit, “Mennonite Church USA et al., v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.” The Church of the Brethren is a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
- Partner with Creation Justice Ministries on Tree Equity Projects
Is your congregation looking for a meaningful way to live out creation care and environmental justice in your community? Creation Justice Ministries is seeking congregational partners. Creation Justice Ministries is a partner organization of the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy.
- Recent federal actions affect a wide swath of the immigrant and refugee community
The following immigration changes along with increasingly harmful rhetoric from this administration affect many of our fellow Church of the Brethren members, neighbors, friends, and family members. These sweeping decisions create uncertainty, feelings of rejection and confusion, and an increased fear of detention and deportation in a period of waiting.
- District executive joins Churches for Middle East Peace delegation to Palestine
Andy Hamilton, district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Southeastern District, traveled to Palestine on Nov. 9-17 with a delegation from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).
- The possibility of US military intervention abroad: Concern from a peace church perspective
On Nov. 20, I attended a congressional hearing on the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Coming from a different meeting, I arrived 10 minutes before the start. The room was so full that there was a line down the hallway. This was the most interest in Nigeria that I’ve witnessed on Capitol Hill since the abduction of the schoolgirls from Chibok more than 10 years ago. I am hopeful to see this much attention on Nigeria, but the focus of this attention on potential military action is troubling.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy blog posts
- 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 →