Day 25: Carleen Pickard

Carleen Pickard
Global Exchange
2017 Mission Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110

Dear Ms. Pickard,

My name is Emmett Eldred. I am one of many youth and young adult who belong to an active, passionate movement within the Church of the Brethren to better reflect the love and teachings of Jesus in our everyday lives. I am writing to you as part of a series of over 1000 letters that I will write to public figures and community leaders over the next year about the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

It is my hope that Global Exchange will share the remarkable story of the EYN, and include the EYN in its programming. I’m sure you remember the 276 schoolgirls from northern Nigeria who were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Roughly three-fourths of those girls belong to the EYN. In fact, few groups have suffered from the violence in Nigeria as severely as the EYN, and their situation continues to worsen.

However, it is not only the suffering of the EYN that makes their story so remarkable, but also their inspiring response to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN have been steadfast and faithful in the commitment to building peace, despite their horrific trials.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN continue to respond with far greater love, courage, and community. They understand that they are called to be beacons of Christ’s love to a landscape darkened by violence. They have become leaders in working to restore community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians, even when it means making sacrifices.

These people fill me with hope, and I will never stop advocating for them.

I hope you will learn more about the EYN and share their incredible story. Please, partner in their ministry of reconciliation by including them in your advocacy and programming. The EYN represent the possibility of sustainable peace in Nigeria, but as their own safety deteriorates, they need our partnership to make that possibility a reality.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

Emmett Eldred
Carnegie Mellon University SMC# 2046
Pittsburgh, PA 15289
eeldred@andrew.cmu.edu
814-502-8349