Pastoral Ponderings 

Church of the Brethren Letter of Concern

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On January 24, 2025 the Mission and Ministry board of the Church of the
Brethren released the following statement of concern. I invite us all to read
and discern how God might use as a source of hope, peace, and comfort.
Letter of Concern:

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35, NRSVue).

“We have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and
those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them…. Those
who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who
do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God,
whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this:
those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (1 John 4:16,
20-21, NRSVue).

The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board expresses grave
concern for those across the country who are of migrant, immigrant, or
refugee status who may be under threat of deportation following recent
presidential executive orders. These renewed threats of deportation are
already affecting the lives of many in our denomination’s congregations.
Our concern is for all people—undocumented and documented—who are
under threat. Our congregations and districts are urged to extend support
to people in their communities who are living in fear for their own safety and
that of family members and loved ones, as well as fear of possible losses
that may include homes, jobs, livelihoods, and more.

God’s love is our greatest command, as Christians. “I give you a new
commandment, that you love one another,” Jesus said. “Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34, NRSVue). We
believe this divine love is not delineated by political borders nor limited by
national origin, ethnic identity, race, skin color, or other characteristics that
often divide us.

God also calls us to welcome the stranger. Jesus said this most clearly: “I
was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35, NRSVue). The
Church of the Brethren leadership urges congregations and districts to

welcome strangers and neighbors in the same spirit that we welcome
Christ in our midst.

As a denomination, we are striving to become a resource and referral
space providing tangible information and support. We reaffirm our support
for Atlantic Southeast District and its call for prayer and fasting
(www.brethren.org/news/2025/jan-16-day-of-prayer-and-fasting); and for
the work of the Intercultural Ministries staff and Intercultural Ministries
Advisory Committee to share helpful resources
(www.brethren.org/news/2025/help-members-know-their-
rights and https://www.brethren.org/intercultural/kyr-resources/). We also
recommend use of ecumenical resources, local resources such as legal
clinics, and immigration justice agencies that work on state and national
levels.

Please join in prayer that all people may know God’s presence and be
allowed to live in safety. May God hear our prayers for safety and well-
being for all who call the United States home. May God move us to
respond to those around us with humility, courage, and compassion. Amen.