Black Lives Matter.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

April Event Celebrates Legacy of Lex Mathews

George Reed, Former Executive Director · March 14, 2014 · 1 Comment

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is sponsoring a “Day of Diocesan Story-Telling and Celebration,” focusing on Lex Mathews’ time as Director of Christian Social Ministries from 1975 until 1985. Longtime activists with the NC Council of Churches will remember Lex’s many involvements with the Council. I’m proud to say that he and I were unindicted co-conspirators on several adventures, though it was all before I was with the Council.

I came to NC in 1978 to work in the social justice office of the Baptist State Convention and, pretty soon, became the Convention’s ecumenist, being deputized to various Council of Churches events and committees. Lex and I (and George Kloster, a Catholic priest and leader within the Council) did much of the organizational work for the Land Stewardship Council, an early effort to challenge people of faith with the call to care for God’s creation. Lex recruited Bett Hargrave to work with the Council’s ERA Committee. She went on to become a county commissioner and then chair of that board of commissioners. I was even reminded this past weekend, as my wife and I drove back from the beach, that Lex and I attended a Board of Agriculture meeting at the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill. We were there to advocate for the Good Samaritan rules without which food banks would not have been able to operate.

Creation care. Gender justice. Food banking. Just three of the many issues Lex Mathews saw as part of the practice of our faith.

The celebration of Lex’s life and ministry will be on Saturday, April 5, from 10:00 til 3:00. In Raleigh. For more information, including registration, click here.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Christian Unity, Environment, Food, Gender

George Reed, Former Executive Director

About George Reed, Former Executive Director

As I had hoped, I have spent more time reading books in my retirement. One recent read was Jon Meacham’s splendid biography of Thomas Jefferson. I resonated with something TJ wrote in a letter shortly after leaving the White House in 1809: “I am here [at Monticello] enjoying the ineffable luxury of being owner of my own time.” I can’t say that I am complete owner of my time, but I am really enjoying not being controlled by clock and calendar. Well, except when there’s a deadline for Raleigh Report.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
On Not Going to Church
Thanksgiving Notes

Comments

  1. AvatarKaterina Whitley says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Our years in North Carolina were enriched by our friendship with Lex Mathews, my own close work with him on farmworkers’ issues, and our relationship with the Council of Churches. We are grateful for Lex and his work and for all the ministries of the Council and the wonderful Christians who work for justice and peace under its auspices.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

April Event Celebrates Legacy of Lex Mathews

Latest Tweets

Call your Member of Congress and tell them paid leave is crucial to public health and economic recovery. Text paidleave (one word) to 844-955-2880 or visit bit.ly/39PWQde to begin. #AmericanRescuePlan #PaidLeave #BlackHealth

About 18 minutes ago

“The foundation of our faith is, we are people of peace..." Read more about the dangerous bill that would allow concealed carry at churches with affiliated schools from @NCPolicyWatch and how we have responded. >>> pulse.ncpolicywatch.…

About 3 hours ago

It's a beautiful day in the Triangle. Are you getting ready for that spring weather? 🌿🌺🍀 We are too!! Go to our store and check out our amazing tank tops quoting our motto: "Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice." ncchurches.org/store… pic.twitter.com/oAZr…

Yesterday

TOMORROW! Join us with Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman on Faith Communities Supporting Democracy. There is still time to register. Follow the link >>> ncchurches.org/event… pic.twitter.com/RO2O…

Yesterday

Tomorrow! Make sure to register and join this important conversation on Climate and Health. bit.ly/LancetRSVP twitter.com/The_SEAP…

Yesterday

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Dr. Julian's work was instrumental to the public health community. We carry his passion as we continue reckoning with our past so that we may continue building the beloved community. Learn more about Dr. Julian's legacy at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ju…. #BlackHistoryMonth @novapbs pic.twitter.com/JJsm…

Yesterday

Join Faith in Harm Reduction TODAY at 4 p.m. for the launch of their virtual Roundtable series! The first roundtable centers on the Black church and needs, opportunities, and challenges for harm reduction in that context. Register below: secure.everyaction.c… #MindfulTogether

Yesterday

Do you still need access to health insurance coverage this year? Open enrollment through the health insurance marketplace began on Feb. 15 and ends on May 15. Visit @HealthCareGov to learn more about what this means and how to enroll: healthcare.gov/cover…

About 2 days ago

Pauli Murray's work was rooted in building community that affirms individuals through true equality and justice for all. Learn more about Pauli Murray by visiting the @PauliMurrayCntr Twitter page or website at paulimurraycenter.co…. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/klug…

About 3 days ago

Although Henrietta Lacks' cells revolutionized medical research, their use was done so without her consent. Her story highlights the racial inequities that have and continue to exist in our healthcare systems. Read more here: nature.com/articles/… #BlackHistoryMonth @nature pic.twitter.com/rJAt…

About 6 days ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @EPA EPA is proud to join our agency partners as we tackle the climate crisis and build a healthier, cleaner, more equitable future for all. Let’s do this! whitehouse.gov/brief…

About 2 days ago

RT @EPA Proud to be back! @EPA will be there every step of the way, as we tackle the climate crisis, advance climate justice, and create a healthier future for all Americans. twitter.com/WhiteHou…

About 2 days ago

RT @greenthechurch Tune into Environmental Defense Fund’s Instagram Live on Broadening & Growing the Environmental & Climate Justice Movement in celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth tonight at 6pmEST #EJ #Environmentalist #Environmental #ClimateChange #ClimateJustice #CleanEnergy #ClimateActionNow pic.twitter.com/hBfn…

About 2 days ago

RT @greenthechurch If you’re passionate about what we do and can bring something unique to the team, get in touch! Email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample(s) to jennifer@greenthechurch.org. pic.twitter.com/CE44…

About 2 days ago

RT @interfaithpower .@RepDebHaaland: "I can promise you that if I am confirmed as Secretary we will be guided by science." The Senate act quickly to #ConfirmHaaland to ensure @Interior has a leader to fulfill its mission to follow science & protect our #PublicLands for future generations.

About 2 days ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine