Life is unpredictable. This truth is paramount with an oncoming hurricane or tropical storm. Many North Carolinians already live with daily anxiety and mental health concerns. How can we take special care of our mental-health in the wake of storm-related disarray? This guide is for those feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and paralyzed because they are either facing a hurricane in North Carolina, or sharing the anxiety of loved ones in other states. While we do not know the impact of Hurricane Irma, or any future hurricane, there are important actions that…
2017 Lenten Guide — First Sunday
For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash Wednesday, each Sunday and throughout Holy Week. Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain! I’m your child while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain! “Guide My Feet” ~ The Faith We Sing #2208 In this contemplative season of asceticism, we pursue…
Advent Guide: Baptism of the Lord, January 8
Excerpted from How Will We Welcome the Prince of Peace? An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year A from the NC Council of Churches. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as…
The Rural Oasis: Conetoe Family Life Center
The amount of grassroots, efficient, and sustainable Kingdom work happening in North Carolina is astounding. People across our state are working together in various communities to promote health and wholeness. People care about health. People recognize that our lives and families depend on us caring about health. Communal work is happening all around us, to help people live fuller and healthier lives. Most of all, if you take notice of these various efforts, you will also see the spirit moving in each of them. I was able to see this…
Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital
Community leaders continue to work endlessly to save the Pungo Hospital in Belhaven. Please join clergy and those concerned for justice this Wednesday, December 21, 10 a.m., at the Wake County Civil Court, Suite 1035, 316 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh (detailed directions below). The hoped-for outcome of this court hearing is to attain a temporary restraining order so that the hospital cannot be demolished. Those involved want as many Pungo Hospital supporters as possible to fill the courtroom in solidarity. Pungo Hospital was closed in July 2014 after the owners…
Community Contributes to Our Wholeness
Partners in Health and Wholeness ambitiously endeavors to work for and toward issues of mind, body, and spirit with faith communities. The words ‘health’ and ‘wholeness’ are truly huge words, landscaping innumerable concerns, issues, and conversations. Daunting, yes. Needed? Definitely. As daunting as the work around health seems in this state, I was reminded of the importance of community in regards to health, and particularly wholeness, during two separate events recently. The ‘wholeness’ half of our program is crucial to our overall health. Health is comprised of all issues relating…
PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15
The Partners in Health and Wholeness program originally had an October 31 deadline for our 2016 certification applications. However, due to the severity of Hurricane Matthew, we are extending our health certification deadline to Tuesday, November 15. We hope that this extension offers churches more time and flexibility to participate in our program despite the storm. The PHW staff also recognizes that our certification and mini-grant initiative might help faith communities that were not in immediate need prior to the hurricane but now face needs that our program addresses. If…
Starting the Conversation About Mental Health
It happens to be Mental Illness Awareness Week, which comes days after I was able to take part in a workshop related to the topic sponsored by The Duke Endowment. “Caring for Your Congregation – Mental Health Resources for Clergy” was an intentional day for a very specific audience – clergy, faith leaders, and ordained community leaders. We learned how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness, how to properly offer a referral, and also learned about resources and techniques that better serve people. Clergy tend to be a “first-responder” in…
Dignity Through Food
Upon learning that my Greenville office for Partners in Health and Wholeness would be located at the food bank, I knew it would be a harmonious fit. I walk into work each day and glimpse the larger landscape of needs and opportunities in our state. I get to be in a hub of nourishment and gathering as I work for health and wholeness. Food is the epicenter of culture and way of being in Eastern NC. Food brings folks together, nourishes, is a cultural statement, and fills space in a…
Eastern NC Peace Rally
As I work with the North Carolina Council of Churches through Partners in Health and Wholeness, I am embedded in the communities and stories of Eastern NC. This may be my favorite part of my job with the Council. I listen, learn, and do life with the communities that welcome me. While my “day job” is to help congregations think theologically about and then commit to health and wholeness, I also find myself in various communal efforts that strive for equality and peace. Lately, with the cascade of tragic events…