July 2, 2010

PITTSBURGH, PA – Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger yesterday attended a meeting at the White House with a group of church leaders who were invited to discuss Israel and Palestine with Denis McDonough, National Security Council Chief of Staff to President Obama.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) helped organize the meeting and Noffsinger was specifically asked to take part as a head of communion by CMEP executive director Warren Clark.

"This meeting is most timely as Israeli officials are scheduled next week to meet with the President," Noffsinger commented. The meeting was expected to allow the church leaders an opportunity to hear about progress the US administration is making in moving parties toward an agreement to end conflict in the area, including a freeze on new Israeli construction in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, Noffsinger said.

Noffsinger was to speak the same day at meetings of Church of the Brethren district representatives in Pittsburgh, Pa. However, after consulting with denominational officers, it was decided the White House meeting "was an important opportunity for the voice of the Church of the Brethren to be heard," Noffsinger said.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. It is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 125,000 members across the US and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, the DR, Brazil, Haiti, and India.

Church of the Brethren Newsline