On Tuesday, Dec. 19, Mennonites staged peace service protests at the offices of elected officials across the United States and Canada, calling on the US government for action to prevent genocide in Gaza. In Cedar Rapids, a small number of the Iowa Mennonite Action group, led by Adian Yoder, visited Senator Ernst’s office, while the remaining 25 participants met outside the building and sang traditional Mennonite hymns.

The peace service participants moved inside, continued with song, shared personal stories of grief for the Palestinians and Israelis killed in war, and prayed. They asked their elected officials to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Luke Hertzler of Wellman introduced the group, explaining the Mennonite vision of non-violence. Orlando Redekopp of Iowa City, a long-time pastor, spoke, calling for an immediate cease fire. Becca Hovde of Wellman spoke about her family’s experience in the Middle East. Luke Hertzler spoke of the Mennonite call for peace from his personal perspective. Karen Martens Zimmerly spoke passionately about the destruction in Gaza.

Mennonites across the United States and Canada are dismayed, first by Hamas’ brutal attacks against Israeli civilians on October 7th, and then by Israel’s continuing attacks on Palestinian civilians, as the death toll climbs into the tens of thousands, including thousands of children. They say they will continue to call for a ceasefire.

The actions on Tuesday were the new movement’s first public actions.

Mennonite Action is a movement of Mennonites bonded by a common belief that they have a responsibility to use their voices as powerfully as possible for the cause of peace and justice. They are members of an historic peace church who are mobilizing fellow Mennonites and Anabaptists across the United States and Canada to use creative nonviolent actions to demand a ceasefire.