Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is extending care for Haitian migrants and the community of Springfield, Ohio, and is calling for a cessation of verbal and physical violence in this volatile period of time in the United States. The Church of the Brethren released the following statement yesterday: 

“False accusations made recently against a group of Haitian migrants and the community where they have found a home in Springfield, Ohio, resulted last week in bomb threats targeting the City Hall and an elementary school, among other buildings, and forced evacuations of portions of the city.

“Such hateful acts are a wake-up call in this period of time in our country, an impetus to renew our faithfulness to God, who has created all people in his image; to renew our bonds of love and fellowship through the Holy Spirit, our divine comforter; and to renew our discipleship to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. We are called by our faith to care for those who are the targets of violence — both verbal as well as physical threats.

“Please join with me in extending caring to migrants across our country, and to the Haitian-American community and the people of Springfield in particular. Please join me in reaching out with love to the Haitian Brethren here in the United States and in Haiti.

“God of hope, love, grace, and salvation, you have promised to be with your people. Please be with us and guide us, in this time and always. Amen.”

This statement is also available in Creole and in French.