Brethren Building Beloved Community (B3C)
Brethren Building Beloved Community (B3C) is a collection of congregations and individuals in the South/Central Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren (and friends!). We have joined together to learn and practice Kingian Nonviolence as a courageous way of life. This group is for sharing ideas, encouragement, stories, and support in our pursuit of positive peace.Announcements and Events
Reminder of our ZOOM meeting on August 5th, 7:00 pm.
(if you would like to join, contact rhondabake@aol.com).
We will be discussing 2 specific Actions coming up at the end of August (see below).
Along with training to support those actions.
We will also have time to debrief about Annual Conference as well as
time to be together in community.
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A Note from Matt Guynn
Dear CoB KNV Facilitators, In grief I share this news with you.
Kingian nonviolence co-author David Jehnsen passed on Monday, July 20, 2026, in Warsaw, Indiana.
Together with Bernard LaFayette, Jr., David codified the Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation curriculum, based on their experiences working with Dr King and in the Civil Rights Movement, which inspired and equipped thousands of people around the world to use and connect with the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr and the Movement both as a source for personal transformation and to address problems of racism, injustice, and violence.
Dedicated to Dr King's vision of institutionalizing nonviolence, Jehnsen developed long-term nonviolence projects in Cuba and New Orleans, and he played a key role drafting the legislation that created the United States Institute of Peace. David always kept the next three generations of emerging leaders in mind. He would proudly say that all his work naturally grew from values that he learned growing up in the Michigan District of the Church of the Brethren.
Jehnsen is survived by his wife, Deb Jehnsen. The service for David Jehnsen will take place on Saturday, August 1, at Faith Bible Fellowship Church (formerly North Webster Church of the Brethren), 7281 E 600 N, North Webster, IN 46555. Visitation 10am-12pm, Service 12pm, Meal to follow.
--Matt Guynn
Co-executive Director
On Earth Peace
Portland, OR E-mail: mguynn@OnEarthPeace.orgTel: 503-465-4557
* (Rhonda Baker be attending the funeral service if anyone wants to meet and go together)
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Cliff Kindy has proposed the following action and is looking for support from B3C
Cliff writes:
I am considering a Nonviolent action at the Miami Correctional Facility in which a group of people would go there and offer to be exchanged for the detainees. I am called by the scripture Hebrews 13:1-3:
13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
The plan would be to hold this August 25th after the scheduled 2:00 Prayer Vigil. This date is significant because it is the 1 year anniversary of the Ecumenical prayer vigil that has been held once a month at Miami.
We would plan to have training prior to this based on similar actions such as: The Nashville trainings for the civil rights movement, the Catholic-led plowshares actions, CPT field actions are among previous experiences that give us ground work we can build upon.
I raised it with my group at the training at Shalom Mennonite and have checked it at Annual Conference and have commitments from 5 people who are willing to join me including Rhonda Baker and Stuart Mora who have given permission for me to list their names. Would anyone else be willing to take part in this? Or would you be willing to take part in action through other important support roles?
Anticipating vengeful responses allows for creative development of escalating love. Using media to its full potential builds a broader support network. Prayer and fasting support builds depth. Legal advisors in place can facilitate quick response to negative security acts. Colleagues with cell phone cameras push for accountability. Friends who support families of activists add reassurance for the activist. Churches sponsoring each activist build reliability. Would you be willing to commit to one of these roles? Are there other ways you could support?
I believe that an action such as this will have influence on the public, if we get good publicity, and the governor, warden, and staff at the center. We are seeing that the pressure that has been put on on Miami Correctional Facility is starting to create dissension and uneasiness. For example, the warden has resigned; two days ago Politico wrote "Ice is on the ropes." I understand the guards for the correctional center are the same ones, for the most part, as for the detention center. Maybe this will influence them n this same way.
I have seen this kind of pressure work in the past. For example, we had IDF soldiers and Mexican military come to us after we had talked with them, saying, "Okay, we have resigned, what shall we do now?" Can that happen at Miami?
If you are interested in being part of this Public Witness in any capacity
(exchangee, prayer group, media, legal advisor, witnesses with cell phones, family sponsor, church sponsor, and other creative ideas), please reply to
rhondabake@aol.com or call 317.408.6941.
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Statewide Weekend of Witness
August 28-30th
to End ICE Detention at Miami Correctional
Indiana Organizing Project has a goal to hold 50 public witness events
across the state of Indiana over this weekend
The B3C goal is to organize 5!
I have confirmed 2!!! We need 3 more!
Who else will hold a public vigil?
Would you like to organize a Public Witness with your church or meeting?
Would you like to organize a Public Witness with friends?
Would you like to offer support to a Public Witness that someone else organizes?
There are many creative ways to witness to the public
~ a 10 prayer vigil after your worship service
~ a funeral service for the 3 detainees who have died
~ a Choir performance
~ a Service of Lament
~ a Sign-holding Event
We can support you with program materials:music, litanies, prayers, stories…etc.
We can support you with people power if you need a musician, speaker, PA…etc.
Contact Rhonda Baker for more information
317.408.6941
Mutual Aid, Indianapolis, help with transportation, funding, temporary housing,
call 317-752-1867.
Indy Rapid Response Phone Number: 855.589.4639 Think you see ICE? Report it.
If you are interested in holding a training at your church or in your community
let us know (rhondabake@aol.com).
Here are some options for trainings.
These can also be created based on time and needs:
Standing in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors: How to be an Anabaptist Rebel
Nonviolence/De-escalation Practice session (Role playing)
Kingian Nonviolence
De-escalation Training
Other Suggestions or to book a training contact:
Rhonda Baker rhondabake@aol.com for more information