O God, who loves each of us, wherever we are in the worldWho calls each of us by nameWho knows our hearts and knits us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).God, who has a love for all that is global and personal, We lift up every person, town, and community facing the war in … [Read more...] about In the Trauma of War, We Pray for Ukraine
A Faith-Focused Suicide Prevention Training for All
There are topics that can be difficult to talk about, including death and grief. Of these topics, one particular situation that is more common than we think is suicide. And even with the best intentions, we can say unhelpful words to those that are hurting around us. When there … [Read more...] about A Faith-Focused Suicide Prevention Training for All
2021 Advent Guide: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy … [Read more...] about 2021 Advent Guide: Fourth Sunday of Advent
2021 Lenten Guide- Fourth Sunday
Excerpted from Enough for All, a Lenten Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the … [Read more...] about 2021 Lenten Guide- Fourth Sunday
Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part III)
To read Part I of this series, click here. To read Part II of this series, click here. In this series about mental health and race, we have looked at a few of the systemic issues and health inequities that people of color face. It is important to consider these barriers as … [Read more...] about Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part III)
Advent Guide: Second Sunday, December 6
Excerpted from The Heart of the Work, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and proclaim to herthat her hard service has been completed, … [Read more...] about Advent Guide: Second Sunday, December 6
Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part II)
To read Part 1 of the "Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work" series, click here. In all the stress and unknown of this world, resilience is a beacon of hope in mental health conversations. It is a key component in addressing trauma, racial trauma, … [Read more...] about Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part II)
Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, and Sacred Work (Part I)
“Racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma”- Mental Health America. This is a strong statement that requires deep consideration. Racism, mental health concerns, and trauma are infused. As people of faith, it is our responsibility to better understand structural … [Read more...] about Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, and Sacred Work (Part I)
Light a Fire in our Midst
In his poem, “Harlem,” Langston Hughes asked, “what is a dream deferred?” He offers some unsettling answers and concludes that a dream deferred is a dream that ultimately explodes. Pentecost, celebrated yesterday throughout Christianity, also exposes us to explosiveness. … [Read more...] about Light a Fire in our Midst
Happy Mental Health Month!
May is Mental Health Month! Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) is committed to equipping faith communities with resources that promote emotional well-being, support mental health concerns, and eliminate stigma around mental health in our faith communities. We see mental … [Read more...] about Happy Mental Health Month!
Lenten Guide – Fourth Sunday
Excerpted from Power Made Perfect in Weakness, a Lenten Guide for Lectionary Year A from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores … [Read more...] about Lenten Guide – Fourth Sunday
Reflections on the 2019 Eastern Faith and Health Summit
The Partners in Health and Wholeness Eastern NC Summit, titled “Mindful Together: Our Health Connects Us to Each Other and God” was more than an event. It was a gathering of community-dwellers and time-investors, diligent practicers of faith, compassionate listeners, and … [Read more...] about Reflections on the 2019 Eastern Faith and Health Summit
Advent Guide: Epiphany Sunday, January 5
Excerpted from Cultivating Care for Creation, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year A from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where … [Read more...] about Advent Guide: Epiphany Sunday, January 5
Lenten Guide – Fifth Sunday
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those … [Read more...] about Lenten Guide – Fifth Sunday
May is Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Month. This offers intentional opportunity to think proactively about mental health, its impact on our lives and communities, and create ways to destigmatize related issues. I find that Mental Health Month comes at a naturally good time in our seasonal … [Read more...] about May is Mental Health Month
Children and a Healthy Start to Life: Understanding Stress and Trauma’s Impact
As I work with various communities, a returning issue I hear about is the first 2000 days of a person’s life. I first learned about this number, 2000, at the Smart Start of New Hanover County’s 2000 Days Community Summit. It was here that parents, teachers, clergy, social … [Read more...] about Children and a Healthy Start to Life: Understanding Stress and Trauma’s Impact
Lenten Reflection Guide: Fifth Sunday in Lent
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told … [Read more...] about Lenten Reflection Guide: Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Severity of the Flu
This flu season is notably harsh and even deadly in some circumstances. According to North Carolina Health Officials, as of January 25, there have been 21 flu deaths in our state and 67 total for the nation. Even though we benefit from more advancements in medicine and technology … [Read more...] about The Severity of the Flu
Supporting our Mental Health in the Holidays
The holiday season is a high-pressured time. The season’s greetings can bring unrealistic expectations, societal pressure, and busyness from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. If you do not feel well emotionally and mentally in other times of the year, the holidays can be even … [Read more...] about Supporting our Mental Health in the Holidays
Advent Guide: Second Sunday, December 10
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid … [Read more...] about Advent Guide: Second Sunday, December 10
Advent Guide: A Season of Hope
The theme for our Advent Guide this year is hope. After considering various themes, we chose hope for the reminder of eternal Hope rather than the spurts of an optimistic outlook. We understand hope as waiting for what is beyond the obvious, a hope that focuses on eternal joy—not … [Read more...] about Advent Guide: A Season of Hope
Faith and Health Summit Spotlight: Mental Health Workshops
Partners in Health and Wholeness invites you to join us in Greensboro on Friday, October 20, for our Faith and Health Summit. There will be excellent workshops on many relevant topics to encourage your church’s health initiatives. The workshop topics include aging, chronic … [Read more...] about Faith and Health Summit Spotlight: Mental Health Workshops
Suicide Awareness Prevention: Shalom Instead of Silence
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Our work at Partners in Health and Wholeness, and with the NC Council of Churches, begins with the hope to see all North Carolinians thrive in daily living. We understand thriving to mean that our neighbors and friends all live … [Read more...] about Suicide Awareness Prevention: Shalom Instead of Silence
Emotional and Mental Health Storm Preparation
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 … [Read more...] about Emotional and Mental Health Storm Preparation
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 … [Read more...] about 2017 Lenten Guide — First Sunday
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 … [Read more...] about Advent Guide: Baptism of the Lord, January 8
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 … [Read more...] about The Rural Oasis: Conetoe Family Life Center
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 … [Read more...] about Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital
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? … [Read more...] about Community Contributes to Our Wholeness
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 … [Read more...] about PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15
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 … [Read more...] about Starting the Conversation About Mental Health
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 … [Read more...] about Dignity Through Food
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. … [Read more...] about Eastern NC Peace Rally