The Latest from the NC Council of Churches

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July 3
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Improving the State of North Carolina

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees”~Isaiah 10:1 The North Carolina… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Real Life Ministries

June 30
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Real Life Ministries

Real Life Ministries (RLM) truly lives up to their name through promoting a practical approach to… Continue Reading

Job Opening: NC No Torture Project Coordinator

June 29
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Job Opening: NC No Torture Project Coordinator

The Council is hiring a half-time (20 hours per week) project coordinator to work with communities… Continue Reading

Governor Faces a Squeeze

June 28
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Governor Faces a Squeeze

Depending on the context, it could be called poor sportsmanship. Or bullying. Or a flouting of… Continue Reading

1 Church/10 People/100 Miles/$1000

June 26
Nicole Johnson, PHW Regional Coordinator

1 Church/10 People/100 Miles/$1000

Have you noticed what happens when you step outside? Your breathing regulates, your mind clears, sometimes… Continue Reading

Familias Unidas, No Divididas

June 23
Rachel Baker, Immigration Advocacy Program Coordinator

Familias Unidas, No Divididas

Just this week, the president signed an executive order ending the separation of families, but this… Continue Reading

Power Push’s Troubling Twists

June 22
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Power Push’s Troubling Twists

The current leaders of the North Carolina General Assembly – top members of the state House… Continue Reading

Council Calls for More Support for Public Education

June 22
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Council Calls for More Support for Public Education

The North Carolina Council of Churches has unveiled our latest billboard. This time we set our… Continue Reading

Proposed Tax Amendment Doesn’t Make Cents

June 15
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Proposed Tax Amendment Doesn’t Make Cents

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Senate Bill 75 is on the move. It would put… Continue Reading

Council Welcomes Elizabeth Brewington to Partners in Health and Wholeness

June 14
Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Council Welcomes Elizabeth Brewington to Partners in Health and Wholeness

The NC Council of Churches was recently awarded an eighteen-month grant to promote compassionate solutions, based… Continue Reading

Voter ID Follows Budget Bulldozer

June 11
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter ID Follows Budget Bulldozer

North Carolina’s new state budget – now on a fast track to final enactment by the… Continue Reading

Council Launches NC Sanctuary Coalition

June 11
Rachel Baker, Immigration Advocacy Program Coordinator

Council Launches NC Sanctuary Coalition

The North Carolina Council of Churches and its allies across North Carolina invite others to join… Continue Reading

Welcome Keegan

June 9
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Welcome Keegan

Keegan Cheleden will be with the Council full-time this summer as an intern through Duke Divinity… Continue Reading

Support the Work of the Council

June 8
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Support the Work of the Council

Dear Friends, Like Esther, the NC Council of Churches finds itself heeding the call “for such… Continue Reading

Defend Against the Implementation of 287g

June 7
Rachel Baker, Immigration Advocacy Program Coordinator

Defend Against the Implementation of 287g

Earlier this week, Mijente, a new political home for Latinx and Chicanx organizing, launched their “Abolish… Continue Reading

Stranglehold Tightens Again for Immigrant Families

June 5
Rachel Baker, Immigration Advocacy Program Coordinator

Stranglehold Tightens Again for Immigrant Families

The draft of a new rule from the Department of Homeland Security was recently leaked to… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Bryson City UMC

June 1
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Bryson City UMC

Catherine Gantt has been a member of Bryson City United Methodist (UMC) for almost 25 years.… Continue Reading

Support the Sanctuary Movement

May 31
Rachel Baker, Immigration Advocacy Program Coordinator

Support the Sanctuary Movement

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — May 30, 2018

May 30
North Carolina Council of Churches

Raleigh Report — May 30, 2018

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The North Carolina General Assembly re-convened for its 2018 “short… Continue Reading

No More Mottos

May 25
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

No More Mottos

Hours after teachers marched on Raleigh to talk about funding needs for their schools, their students,… Continue Reading

Violence and Guns

May 23
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Violence and Guns

Remarks delivered at the Community Conversation on Gun Violence on May 15, 2018 at Wake Forest… Continue Reading

A Prayer for the North Carolina General Assembly

May 22
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

A Prayer for the North Carolina General Assembly

This morning marked a historic day as the Council hosted their first legislative prayer breakfast at… Continue Reading

And May We Be Changed

May 21
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

And May We Be Changed

What will change because of May 16? Because of the Day of Advocacy for Public Education… Continue Reading

Council announces Faith Leaders for NC Children Initiative

May 19
North Carolina Council of Churches

Council announces Faith Leaders for NC Children Initiative

On the day Public School educators, administrators, staff, and their supporters gathered to make their voices… Continue Reading

Marching for Schools, and for Children

May 18
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Marching for Schools, and for Children

They suited up in their red t-shirts, hoisted their homemade signs and coursed like a river… Continue Reading

May is Mental Health Month

May 16
Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator

May is Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month. This offers intentional opportunity to think proactively about mental health, its… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders for North Carolina Children (FLFNCC)

May 15
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Faith Leaders for North Carolina Children (FLFNCC)

The NC Council of Churches has a long history of supporting public education and recently recommitted… Continue Reading

Because of Jesus

May 15
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Because of Jesus

When the news reporter approached me, I was milling about in the grass, adjusting my pastoral… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Faith and Victory Christian Church

May 14
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Faith and Victory Christian Church

Since 2011, Faith and Victory Christian Church (FVCC) has been promoting health and wholeness of the… Continue Reading

The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day

May 10
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day

As Mother’s Day approaches, we honor, remember, and celebrate all of the strong women in our… Continue Reading

DEQ Announces the Creation of a Secretary’s Environmental Justice & Equity Board

May 8
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

DEQ Announces the Creation of a Secretary’s Environmental Justice & Equity Board

Last week North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality introduced members of the Secretary’s Environmental Justice and… Continue Reading

Building Up Our Schools

May 4
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Building Up Our Schools

“Build a Church, then Build a School.” Chief among the instructions for John Wesley’s itinerant ministers… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-Grant Cycle Now Open

May 3
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-Grant Cycle Now Open

The Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Summer Mini-Grant Cycle is now open. Mini-grants are a… Continue Reading

Doing the School-money Shuffle

April 30
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Doing the School-money Shuffle

When the N.C. General Assembly convenes on May 16, legislators will be “welcomed” by a throng… Continue Reading

Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock

April 27
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock

Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice; who… Continue Reading

Politics of Eating

April 24
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Politics of Eating

Sermon originally delivered at the Jack Crum Conference at Highlands United Methodist Church in Raleigh on… Continue Reading

Sustainability Goals Delay Duke University Plans for Power Plant

April 21
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Sustainability Goals Delay Duke University Plans for Power Plant

Duke University officials have announced the indefinite delay of plans to build a freestanding Combined Heat… Continue Reading

Pray and Vote

April 20
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Pray and Vote

The North Carolina Council of Churches believes that participating in our democracy is one critical component… Continue Reading

Partner Congregations Provide Sanctuary for Woman in Chapel Hill

April 17
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Partner Congregations Provide Sanctuary for Woman in Chapel Hill

Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a March 17 press conference in Chapel Hill… Continue Reading

The Second Commandment

April 16
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

The Second Commandment

When the news broke about the North Carolina Council of Churches billboard suggesting a connection between… Continue Reading

School Districts: Keeping It Together

April 13
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

School Districts: Keeping It Together

Public education in North Carolina has its share of challenges, not the least of which has… Continue Reading

Council Posts Billboard about Gun Violence

April 5
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Council Posts Billboard about Gun Violence

On your drive along I-85/40 outside of Mebane, look for our billboard on the side of… Continue Reading

Children and a Healthy Start to Life: Understanding Stress and Trauma’s Impact

April 3
Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator

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… Continue Reading

Public Schools’ Call to Quality – For All

April 2
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Public Schools’ Call to Quality – For All

It was perhaps the N.C. Supreme Court’s finest hour. In 1997, the high court held unanimously… Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection Guide: Easter Sunday

April 1
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Lenten Reflection Guide: Easter Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” When the sabbath was over,… Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection Guide: Good Friday

March 30
Yolanda Santiago-Correa, Duke Divinity School Intern

Lenten Reflection Guide: Good Friday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” My God, my God, why… Continue Reading

Soul of Appalachia

March 29
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Soul of Appalachia

Remarks originally delivered March 23 at The State of the Soul of Appalachia conference in Pipestem… Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection Guide: Maundy Thursday

March 29
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Lenten Reflection Guide: Maundy Thursday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice.” Reflection written by Sabrina Rosario,… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Brown’s Chapel UMC

March 27
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Brown’s Chapel UMC

Lynn Frost has been attending Brown’s Chapel United Methodist Church since she was a baby. Lynn… Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection Guide: Palm Sunday

March 25
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Lenten Reflection Guide: Palm Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Be gracious to me, O Lord,… Continue Reading

Council hires new Program Coordinator for Immigration Advocacy

March 23
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Council hires new Program Coordinator for Immigration Advocacy

The North Carolina Council of Churches must replace our veteran Immigration Program Director, Jennie Belle, who… Continue Reading

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women

March 22
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women

2018 is shaping up to the be the Year of the Woman. From the halls of… Continue Reading

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs

March 19
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs

Ordinary Americans – those of us not allowed to know the secrets of high-level espionage work… Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection Guide: Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 18
Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator

Lenten Reflection Guide: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Now among those who went… Continue Reading

Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women

March 13
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women

The NC Council of Churches’ 2018 Critical Issues Seminar will focus on women. The theme for… Continue Reading

NC Religious Leaders’ Letter Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling Delivered to DC

March 12
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

NC Religious Leaders’ Letter Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling Delivered to DC

In response to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke’s proposal to auction off… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide: Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 11
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Lenten Guide: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” You were dead through the… Continue Reading

PHW Expands and Welcomes New Staff

March 8
Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

PHW Expands and Welcomes New Staff

The staff of the NC Council of Churches is delighted to welcome Josie Walker and Karen… Continue Reading

Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations

March 8
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations

Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations Approved March 6, 2018 by the Governing Board… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide: Third Sunday in Lent

March 4
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Lenten Guide: Third Sunday in Lent

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Then God spoke all… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: St. John AME

February 28
Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: St. John AME

St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Raleigh has been hard at work promoting health and… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide: Second Sunday in Lent

February 25
Karen Richardson Dunn, PHW Regional Coordinator

Lenten Guide: Second Sunday in Lent

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” You who fear the Lord,… Continue Reading

It’s Only 40 Days

February 19
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

It’s Only 40 Days

Sermon delivered by Jennifer Copeland yesterday, Sunday, February 18 at Millford Hills United Methodist Church in… Continue Reading

What More Can Be Said?

February 19
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

What More Can Be Said?

Powerful voices have long narrated the story of guns in America. The media. The NRA. Outraged,… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide: First Sunday in Lent

February 18
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Lenten Guide: First Sunday in Lent

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Then God said to… Continue Reading

Class Sizes and More: An Awkward Finale

February 15
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Class Sizes and More: An Awkward Finale

As the General Assembly wraps up its weirdly timed and generally ill-conceived winter session, it would… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide: Ash Wednesday

February 14
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Lenten Guide: Ash Wednesday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” We entreat you on… Continue Reading

Apply Today for a PHW Mini-Grant

February 13
Katie Withers, NC State MSW Intern

Apply Today for a PHW Mini-Grant

There are less than two weeks remaining to apply for a Partners in Health and Wholeness… Continue Reading

The Commission Came to Town

February 13
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

The Commission Came to Town

Only rarely does the United States Commission on Civil Rights hold hearings outside of Washington D.C.… Continue Reading

Be Reconciled

February 9
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Be Reconciled

Black History month is North Carolina Council of Churches’ history starting in 1935 because our history… Continue Reading

Job Opening: Program Coordinator for Sanctuary Sites and Immigration Advocacy

February 8
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Job Opening: Program Coordinator for Sanctuary Sites and Immigration Advocacy

Update: This position has now been filled. The Council is hiring a part-time program coordinator for… Continue Reading

Job Opening: Opioid Response Program Coordinator

February 6
North Carolina Council of Churches

Job Opening: Opioid Response Program Coordinator

The Council’s Partners in Health and Wholeness initiative is hiring a full-time program coordinator to enhance… Continue Reading

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall

February 5
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall

The pattern has become familiar – and a welcome pattern it is, even if brought about… Continue Reading

The Severity of the Flu

January 29
Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator

The Severity of the Flu

This flu season is notably harsh and even deadly in some circumstances. According to North Carolina… Continue Reading

Looking for Help?

January 23
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Looking for Help?

The Federal Government of the United States of America shut down at midnight on Friday. It… Continue Reading

Thumbs-up to Fairer Districts

January 22
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Thumbs-up to Fairer Districts

Progress in rooting out North Carolina’s gerrymandered voting districts hasn’t always occurred in a straight line.… Continue Reading

Medicare for All

January 18
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Medicare for All

Remarks originally delivered at the Medicare for All Rally held in Durham on Saturday, January 13.… Continue Reading

Jesus, Martin, and Gilles

January 17
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Jesus, Martin, and Gilles

A reflection on Jesus of Nazareth (out of which nothing good comes)¹, the life and death… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Bethel Christian Assembly

January 15
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Partners in Health and Wholeness Spotlight: Bethel Christian Assembly

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) is highlighting some of our congregations across NC who are… Continue Reading

Words Make a World

January 13
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Words Make a World

The words we hear form what we think. The words we say form what we do.… Continue Reading

U.S. Court: Those Districts Won’t Fly

January 12
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

U.S. Court: Those Districts Won’t Fly

Grand constitutional questions in this country aren’t settled until the Supreme Court has its say, either… Continue Reading

Defending Temporary Protected Status

January 10
Yolanda Santiago-Correa, Duke Divinity School Intern

Defending Temporary Protected Status

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced the decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: Baptism of the Lord

January 8
Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Advent Guide: Baptism of the Lord

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: Epiphany

January 6
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Advent Guide: Epiphany

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

New Tax Law Will Harm Environment

January 5
Michelle Peedin, Program Associate for PHW and NCIPL

New Tax Law Will Harm Environment

The final version of the tax bill, passed in late December, will now open the pristine… Continue Reading

Council Offers Updated Sanctuary E-course

January 5
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Council Offers Updated Sanctuary E-course

A growing movement of immigrant and faith communities have committed to doing what Congress and the… Continue Reading

N.C. Judges on Trial

January 4
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

N.C. Judges on Trial

Well, here we go again. If the Republican-led General Assembly in 2017 focused on trying to… Continue Reading

That Resolution

January 1
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

That Resolution

We all do it and well we should–start the new year resolving to do better. Maybe… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: First Sunday After Christmas Day

Dec 30, 2017
Nicole Johnson, PHW Regional Coordinator

Advent Guide: First Sunday After Christmas Day

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

Dec 28, 2017
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

It has been a rough year for creche sets at our house. For our family, as… Continue Reading

Christ’s Mass

Dec 25, 2017
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Christ’s Mass

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: Christmas Eve and Day

Dec 24, 2017
Josie Walker, PHW Regional Coordinator

Advent Guide: Christmas Eve and Day

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: Fourth Sunday, December 24

Dec 23, 2017
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Advent Guide: Fourth Sunday, December 24

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

Welcome Mary Elizabeth

Dec 21, 2017
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Welcome Mary Elizabeth

My name is Mary Elizabeth Hanchey and I joined the staff of the NC Council of… Continue Reading

Congress: Hands Off New Rule Protecting Families from Payday Lenders

Dec 19, 2017
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Congress: Hands Off New Rule Protecting Families from Payday Lenders

Originally appeared in the Durham Herald and signed by both Larry Hall, Secretary of the NC… Continue Reading

Supporting our Mental Health in the Holidays

Dec 18, 2017
Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator

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,… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: Third Sunday, December 17

Dec 16, 2017
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Advent Guide: Third Sunday, December 17

Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading

Policy Statement on the Public Schools

Dec 15, 2017
North Carolina Council of Churches

Policy Statement on the Public Schools

Statement on the Public Schools Approved December 5, 2017 by the Governing Board of the North… Continue Reading

Vigil to End Gun Violence

Dec 14, 2017
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Vigil to End Gun Violence

This is my favorite time of the year. I’m a sap about all of it. I… Continue Reading