{"id":24,"date":"2018-09-26T14:54:50","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T14:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/?page_id=24"},"modified":"2026-04-16T18:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:32:15","slug":"office-of-peacebuilding-and-policy-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of Peacebuilding and Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<script async defer crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&#038;version=v19.0&#038;appId=1641983936050416\" nonce=\"cbzaALoi\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/nathan-hosler-at-Jordanian-embassy.jpg\" alt=\"People sitting at a large shiny table with a Jordanian flag in the background\" class=\"wp-image-631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/nathan-hosler-at-Jordanian-embassy.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/nathan-hosler-at-Jordanian-embassy-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/nathan-hosler-at-Jordanian-embassy-768x343.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/nathan-hosler-at-Jordanian-embassy-560x250.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Director of the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, Nathan Hosler (second from left) in a meeting with the Jordanian Ambassador to the U.S.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Church of the Brethren <strong>Office of Peacebuilding and Policy<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why does our Brethren voice matter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our denomination\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/ac\/statements\/1989-church-and-state\/\">1989 Annual Conference statement on Church and State<\/a> says that \u201cChristians 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\u2019s 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\u2019s will and way (human well-being, justice and peace), Christians can give support and commendation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Ceasefire-Souleymane-and-Cornelius.jpg\" alt=\"Two people holding sign that says &quot;Ceasefire NOW&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Ceasefire-Souleymane-and-Cornelius.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Ceasefire-Souleymane-and-Cornelius-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Ceasefire-Souleymane-and-Cornelius-560x353.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Souleymane Diori and Cornelius Raff joining a vigil on Capitol Hill to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is WISC?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/washingtoninterfaith.org\/\">Visit the WISC website for more information.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/ac\/statements\/2018-vision-of-ecumenism-for-the-21st-century\/\">2018 Annual Conference Statement on Ecumenism<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These organizations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.centeronconscience.org\/\">Center on Conscience and War<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.creationjustice.org\/\">Creation Justice Ministries<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cmep.org\/\">Churches for Middle East Peace<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cwsglobal.org\/\">Church World Service<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpt.org\/\">Christian Peacemaker Teams<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/advocacydays.org\/\">Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nfwm.org\/\">National Farm Worker Ministry<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nrcat.org\/\">National Religious Campaign Against Torture<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Volunteer and intern options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our work sounds interesting? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>BVS volunteers<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/bvs\/\">Check out the BVS webpage<\/a> for more information about how you can serve with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Interns<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For any further questions, contact <a href=\"mailto:NHosler@brethren.org\">NHosler@brethren.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our office is located on Capitol Hill inside the Washington City Church of the Brethren on 337 North Carolina Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Washington-City-Church.jpg\" alt=\"Washington City Church of the Brethren. Sign says &quot;Haitians and all migrants are beloved children of God.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Washington-City-Church.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Washington-City-Church-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Washington-City-Church-768x381.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2024\/10\/Washington-City-Church-560x278.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Washington City Church of the Brethren. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Peace News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"feedzy-30d56574264321c7a365298dd5d48692 feedzy-rss\"><ul><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/special-annual-conference-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Special Annual Conference events are offered in Fort Wayne this summer\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Embassytheatertour-square-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Special Annual Conference events are offered in Fort Wayne this summer\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/special-annual-conference-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Special Annual Conference events are offered in Fort Wayne this summer<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/conference-business-for-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/ACOfficersDelegateBriefingVideo-600px-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/conference-business-for-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/invitations-to-look-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/PICT0264-600px-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/invitations-to-look-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Feature for Earth Month and Poetry Month: Invitations to look up, to seek abundant life<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>Each year in April, Earth Month and Poetry Month coincide. In each regular issue of Newsline this April, we celebrate God\u2019s 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<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/interfaith-letter-on-pentagon-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs interfaith letter opposing $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/LetterOpposingPentagonBudget-square-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs interfaith letter opposing $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/interfaith-letter-on-pentagon-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs interfaith letter opposing $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/pastor-speaks-at-vigil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"\u2018Protecting asylum seekers is a biblical responsibility\u2019: Washington pastor speaks at vigil for Noem v. Al Otro Lado\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/InterfaithVigilRally-YouTubeVideo-600px-150x150.jpg\" title=\"\u2018Protecting asylum seekers is a biblical responsibility\u2019: Washington pastor speaks at vigil for Noem v. Al Otro Lado\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/pastor-speaks-at-vigil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">\u2018Protecting asylum seekers is a biblical responsibility\u2019: Washington pastor speaks at vigil for Noem v. Al Otro Lado<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/church-supports-asylum-seekers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/OPPHannahNelsonAtVigilAtSupremeCourt-byNateHosler-600px-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/church-supports-asylum-seekers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/church-leaders-speak-on-iran-attackes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">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<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/amici-curiae-brief-supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Church of the Brethren joins amici curiae brief in the Supreme Court<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/oral-arguments-sensitive-locations-suit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Court of Appeals will hear argument in sensitive location lawsuit on Feb. 5<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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 \u201csensitive locations\u201d lawsuit, \u201cMennonite Church USA et al., v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.\u201d The Church of the Brethren is a plaintiff in the lawsuit.<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2025\/partner-on-tree-equity-projects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Partner with Creation Justice Ministries on Tree Equity Projects\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/CJMTreeEquityProject-square-150x150.jpg\" title=\"Partner with Creation Justice Ministries on Tree Equity Projects\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><\/a><\/div><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2025\/partner-on-tree-equity-projects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Partner with Creation Justice Ministries on Tree Equity Projects<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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.<\/p><\/div><\/li><\/ul> <\/div><style type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\">.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image{float:left;position:relative;border:none;text-decoration:none;max-width:100%}.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image span{display:inline-block;position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;background-position:50%;background-size:cover}.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image{margin:.3em 1em 0 0;content-visibility:auto}.feedzy-rss ul{list-style:none}.feedzy-rss ul li{display:inline-block}<\/style>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"212\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2018\/09\/OPP-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-block btn-warning\" href=\"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/opp\" target=\"_blank\">Support peacebuilding<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fb-page\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ChurchOfTheBrethrenOPP\/\" data-tabs=\"timeline\" data-width=\"\" data-height=\"400\" data-small-header=\"true\" data-adapt-container-width=\"true\" data-hide-cover=\"false\" data-show-facepile=\"false\"><blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ChurchOfTheBrethrenOPP\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ChurchOfTheBrethrenOPP\/\">Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy<\/a><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>Office of Peacebuilding and Policy blog posts<\/h3>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/policy-update\/\">Policy Updates<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-04-22T17:14:39+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">April 22, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">For more than three decades, the Church of the Brethren has recognized the relationship between human suffering, fossil fuel consumption, and climate change.\u00a0<\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/legal-analysis-of-the-attack-on-iran\/\">Legal analysis of the attack on Iran<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-04-15T21:29:37+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">April 15, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">The 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.<\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/legal-issues-raised-by-jan-3-venezuela-action\/\">Legal Issues Raised by Jan. 3 Venezuela Action<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-03-05T18:11:32+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">March 5, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">The military action taken in\u00a0Venezuela\u00a0on January 3, 2026, raises serious moral concerns and violated the Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, the\u00a0limits on\u00a0the power of the President under\u00a0the\u00a0Constitution and the War Powers Act, and\u00a0limitations on extraterritorial extraditions under\u00a0international law.<\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/just-law-enforcement\/\">Just law enforcement? A Brethren reflection on Venezuela strikes<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-01-09T16:30:13+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">January 9, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">How are Brethren to respond to the recent attack in Venezuela? <\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/asap\/\">ASAP<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-06-01T12:53:00+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 1, 2023<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">Members and friends of the Church of the Brethren worldwide are invited to visit the Arms Sales and Accountability Project website<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Older blog posts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"feedzy-fb965f47c7f181ce2b1903880ef21870 feedzy-rss\"><ul><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/2023\/asap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">ASAP<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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 \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/2022\/what-would-jesus-dowith-813-billion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">What Would Jesus Do\u2026with $813 Billion?<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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 \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/2021\/ecological-injustice-in-lagos-nigeria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">Ecological Injustice in Lagos, Nigeria<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>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 \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/li><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/2021\/the-saudi-arabia-iran-cold-war-and-the-looming-nuclear-arms-race-in-the-middle-east\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\">The Saudi-Arabia-Iran Cold War and the Looming Nuclear Arms Race in the Middle East<\/a><\/span><div class=\"rss_content\" style=\"\"><p>by Angelo Olayvar \u201cWhile 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 \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/li><\/ul> <\/div><style type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\">.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image{float:left;position:relative;border:none;text-decoration:none;max-width:100%}.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image span{display:inline-block;position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;background-position:50%;background-size:cover}.feedzy-rss .rss_item .rss_image{margin:.3em 1em 0 0;content-visibility:auto}.feedzy-rss ul{list-style:none}.feedzy-rss ul li{display:inline-block}<\/style>\n<p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/category\/peacebuilding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">all older Peacebuilding blog posts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s 1989 Annual Conference statement on Church and State says that \u201cChristians and the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/fullwidthpage-noheading.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-24","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":776,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions\/776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/peacebuilding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}