NC People of Faith Urge Congressional Leaders to Protect the Vulnerable

More than 125 people of faith in North Carolina, including the heads of 10 denominations, are calling on the state’s leaders in Congress to protect vulnerable people in the midst of heated and divisive budget talks.

The faith leaders have signed a letter, circulated by the North Carolina Council of Churches, that cites the federal budget as a moral document that must reflect priorities that help those in need.

As a compassionate society, we must provide a circle of protection around safety net programs for needy people. North Carolina native the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor emeritus of New York’s Riverside Church, reminds us that a budget determines who eats and who starves, who has a job and who is unemployed. This concerns God. As the supercommittee decides on budget issues, who of God’s people will our budget bless and who will it hurt? A faith-filled budget is in our prayers.

Among the denominational leaders who have signed are:

• The Rev. Dr. James E. Aydelotte, Moderator, Presbytery of Western North Carolina, PC(USA)
• The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
• The Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina
• The Rev. Al Gwinn, Bishop, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
• The Rev. David Guthrie, President, Provincial Elder’s Conference, Moravian Church in America, Southern Province
• The Rev. Sam Marshall, General Presbyter, Salem Presbytery, PC(USA)
• Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls, Southern Jurisdictional Prelate of  the Unity Fellowship Church Movement and Pastor, Unity Fellowship Church, Charlotte
• The Rev. John M. Richardson, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• The Rev. Dr. Samuel E, Roberson, General Presbyter/Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Charlotte, PC(USA)
• The Rev. David A. Walker, General Presbyter, Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, PC(USA)

 Click here for a complete copy of the letter and a list of all signers.

–Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate