2021: A Year in Review
  • 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
    • 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
      • Mental Health Advocacy
      • BIPOC Mental Health Grant
      • Growing Communities of Inclusion: A Faithful Response to HIV
      • Citizen Science
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Criminal Justice
    • Immigrant Rights
    • Public Education
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
  • Events
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

One Last Time…..

Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director · August 4, 2017 · 11 Comments

Even when the opportunity before you is grand, it is hard to leave a place you love.

Today is my last day at the Council of Churches, after 16 years in a variety of roles from very part-time newsletter editor to full-time deputy executive director. As some of you have heard me say, when I started here, my colleagues scheduled staff meetings so that I could pick up my youngest from preschool. He is about to start his sophomore year of college, so yes, it has been awhile.

I am leaving to become the Executive Director of the Johnson Service Corps, an affiliate of the Episcopal Service Corps. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity. As important as the policy work and grassroots advocacy are – particularly in these days – it is also important to be developing ethical, thoughtful young people whose commitment to justice and to servant leadership will move us closer to the Beloved Community.

In order to take on that role, however, I have to leave this one, step away from work that has always been more than a job and from colleagues who have been more like family. My time at the Council has formed me, personally, professionally, and spiritually as much as any congregation could. The folks like you who visit our website, use our resources, come to our events, and drop us notes, have fed me with spiritual food and, when the moment called for it, righteous anger.

It has been hard since November not to let that anger become consuming at times. But I have been continually reminded of the words and work of the prophets and the saints – those who have gone on and those who walk among us. I have been inspired by the people at our partner organizations who work and work and get up and work some more, all because they believe we can be better than where we are at that given moment. They are fundamentally pragmatic and inexplicably optimistic, and it has helped me keep on keeping on.

On a day-to-day basis, I have been fortunate beyond reason to stand shoulder to shoulder with Council staff members and volunteers who work harder and believe stronger than I would have thought imaginable. They have made even bad days good and they have made good days better. I cannot say enough about their expertise and commitment. It has been an honor to work with them.

And so friends, I pray you peace as we continue this shared work.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: News

About Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Aleta Payne first joined the Council staff in the spring of 2001 as the Communications Associate. She continues to oversee that work along with development, represents the Council in several partnership efforts, and serves in other administrative roles, as well. Aleta is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in government and foreign affairs and spent much of her early career as a journalist. She has three young adult sons who continue to come home to Cary for dinner, or at least groceries, and two young adult terrier-mix dogs who keep the nest from feeling too empty.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

Welcome Eco-Justice Fellows!
Photo: Intropin (Mark Oniffrey)
North Carolina Council of Churches Calls on General Assembly to Spend Opioid Settlement Money on Saving Lives
Inaugural 2021 Willona Stallings Award for Community Innovation presented to Local Thomasville Church

Comments

  1. Jaye White says

    August 21, 2017 at 11:56 am

    I thought I had just heard a bad rumor! I am glad I got to know you through the NCCC and I know you will be a blessing to the Johnson Service Corp! I look forward to learning more about your work there.
    Go in peace!

    Reply
  2. Ted Vaden says

    August 7, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Well done, good and faithful servant!

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne says

      August 11, 2017 at 7:47 am

      Thank you, Ted!!

      Reply
  3. Renee Hayes says

    August 7, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Best wishes, Aleta. Thank you for your dedication to NCoC.

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne says

      August 11, 2017 at 7:48 am

      Thanks, Renee. The good wishes are appreciated.

      Reply
  4. Susannah Tuttle says

    August 7, 2017 at 11:18 am

    WIshing you all the best in your next vocational journey! Thank you for using your gifts to bless the world!

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne says

      August 11, 2017 at 7:50 am

      I really appreciate it and you, Susannah.

      Reply
  5. Denise Cumbee Long says

    August 4, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    Thank you for your witness, Aleta. Many good wishes on your next adventure!

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne, Deputy Executive Director says

      August 5, 2017 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you, Denise!! Your kind words are appreciated~

      Reply
  6. Steve Hickle says

    August 4, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    So very nicely put! Blessings, old friend!

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne, Deputy Executive Director says

      August 5, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      Peace to you, Steve! Grateful for your leadership in so much of our work.

      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

One Last Time…..

Latest Tweets

Your Vote is Your Voice! Learn more this morning with Blueprint NC’s Executive Director, Serena Sebring. We will hear about the political movement and how we can take action. Register for our #2022CriticalIssues at the link! bit.ly/3KZgi7z pic.twitter.com/OUND…

About 2 days ago

This morning! Join us with speakers @MarcusLFairley and @MarcusBassNC from @NCBlackAlliance at the #2022CriticalIssues where they will discuss the challenges of voter suppression and access to the polls. Register and join! google.com/url?q=htt… pic.twitter.com/qNcl…

About 3 days ago

RT @DanBlueNC We’re in crisis. Our kids are in crisis. Banning books isn’t the answer. We need to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong hands. We need to hire enough mental health providers to support students. We need to act #nced #ncpol

About 4 days ago

Happening all this week! There is still time to register for the event and attend every day at noon! #2022CriticalIssues ncchurches.ourpowerb… pic.twitter.com/gOCi…

About 4 days ago

We continue to work on various issues in NC and we want to share with you even more information about the accomplishments you helped us achieve in 2021! We hope you will look for places you can join us on this faith-filled journey. ncchurches.org/resou…

About 5 days ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Join us for Sacred Conversations: Older Adults - Fraud & Scams on Friday, June 24th from 11 AM to 12 PM and learn to recognize common scams targeted towards older adults and how to protect yourself and those in your faith communities. ncchurches.ourpowerb…

About 4 days ago

RT @FaithCompassWFU Consider becoming an HIV & Faith Ambassador! To learn more, plan to join us for a virtual information session on 05/18 at 2 PM, 06/30 at 2 PM, or on 07/20 at 11 AM, all EST. Register now: bit.ly/FaithAmbInfo #faithandHIV #faithcompassWFU #transformthestory pic.twitter.com/oZo7…

About 2 weeks ago

Join us now Attorney General Josh Stein for a virtual conversation, “A Faith-Based harm Reduction Approach to the Opioid Crisis.” youtube.com/watch?v=…

Last month

RT @NCAGO Join Attorney General @JoshStein_ today at 1 p.m. for a discussion on a faith-based harm reduction approach to the opioid crisis with representatives of Olive Branch Ministries. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webi… pic.twitter.com/XB05…

Last month

Register here! #phw #MentalHealthAwareness ncchurches.ourpowerb… pic.twitter.com/VTN7…

Last month

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @interfaithpower We believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. Join us June 9 for a conversation about our multi-issue Faithful Voter Reflection Guide. Register: ow.ly/PnPg50Jjz6h #FaithClimateJusticeVoter #Vote2022 #VoteReady

About 2 days ago

RT @ncchurches Happening all this week! There is still time to register for the event and attend every day at noon! #2022CriticalIssues ncchurches.ourpowerb… pic.twitter.com/gOCi…

About 4 days ago

RT @mocleanair Read our editorial in @GeorgiaRecorder. georgiarecorder.com/… @EnergyFdn @GCVoters @cleanenergyorg @GeorgiaIPL @gasierraclub @CleanAirMoms_GA @PSEquityMatters @SouthfaceInst @GAChapterAAP @CEHN @docsforclimate @enviRN @schoolnurses @uwomenfaith @eldersclimate @NCIPL @AlabamaPJC

Last week

RT @mocleanair Comments due in 3 days - if you haven't submitted one yet, do it today! For tips, read our blog about the different kinds of air pollution heavy duty vehicles make. #HealthyAirIsHealthCare #CleanAir @CEHN @TheOxygenProj @eldersclimate @uwomenfaith @GeorgiaIPL @AlabamaPJC @NCIPL twitter.com/mocleana…

Last week

RT @WECAN_INTL 📢Today, Indigenous women leaders & 200+ groups sent a letter calling on @USACEHQ to deny the permits for Line 5, conduct a federal EIS & respect Indigenous rights! To protect communities, water & our climate we must #StopLine5. Learn more👉bit.ly/3MBazW4 pic.twitter.com/FqeQ…

Last week

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2022 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine