Hope for the Holidays: 2017 Advent Calendar to Defend Immigrants and RefugeesDec 4, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Hope for the Holidays: 2017 Advent Calendar to Defend Immigrants and Refugees Last year, we created an Advent Calendar to Support Immigrants and Refugees. This year, as the… Continue Reading
Advent Guide: First Sunday, December 3Dec 2, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Advent Guide: First Sunday, December 3 Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North… Continue Reading
Jesus, Money, and TaxesDec 1, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Jesus, Money, and Taxes Remarks offered at a press conference on tax reform at the North Carolina State Capitol on… Continue Reading
Road Work Ahead: Jesus and TaxesDec 1, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Road Work Ahead: Jesus and Taxes Jesus had a lot to say about money, possessions, care for those who are impoverished, and… Continue Reading
Winding Down National Diabetes Month with Partners in Health and WholenessNov 30, 2017Josie Walker, PHW Regional Coordinator Winding Down National Diabetes Month with Partners in Health and Wholeness It isn’t too late to practice prevention. In North Carolina alone, an estimated 750,000 people have… Continue Reading
Support the Council on Giving TuesdayNov 27, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Support the Council on Giving Tuesday Dear Friends, Last year when we sent out our fall appeal requesting financial support for the… Continue Reading
Advent Guide: A Season of HopeNov 25, 2017Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator Advent Guide: A Season of Hope The theme for our Advent Guide this year is hope. After considering various themes, we chose… Continue Reading
Protect Dreamers This ThanksgivingNov 22, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Protect Dreamers This Thanksgiving For many of us living in the United States, Thanksgiving is a time when we get together… Continue Reading
Thanksgiving NotesNov 22, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Thanksgiving Notes Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with… Continue Reading
Navigating the Health Insurance MarketplaceNov 18, 2017Lindsay Barth, Office Manager Navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace Open enrollment to sign up for or renew health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)… Continue Reading
Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, CandidatesNov 17, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates With Republicans on Capitol Hill and in the White House desperate to post a big legislative… Continue Reading
Faith and Health Summit RecapNov 13, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Faith and Health Summit Recap Written by Council intern Katie Withers. Katie is a Master of Social Work student at North… Continue Reading
United for Puerto RicoNov 9, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations United for Puerto Rico Written by Council intern Yolanda Santiago-Correa. Yolanda is a Duke Divinity School student and was born… Continue Reading
Creating PeaceNov 6, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Creating Peace If we are not angry today, we have no faith. If we are not frustrated today,… Continue Reading
Democracy Under the Reign of GodNov 1, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Democracy Under the Reign of God As I continue to follow court cases addressing Gerrymandering at both the federal level (Gill v.… Continue Reading
Honoring Farmworkers Who Died in the FieldsOct 30, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Honoring Farmworkers Who Died in the Fields Yesterday farmworkers and farmworker allies from across the state came together to celebrate Día de los… Continue Reading
PHW Faith and Health Summit: Thank YouOct 30, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator PHW Faith and Health Summit: Thank You It has been a little over a week since our third PHW Faith and Health Summit,… Continue Reading
Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Begins November 1stOct 27, 2017Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Begins November 1st The period to enroll or renew health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or… Continue Reading
GOP’s Goal: A Tilted BenchOct 23, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate GOP’s Goal: A Tilted Bench To the Republicans who run the N.C. General Assembly, the concept of judicial independence – central… Continue Reading
Don’t let Trump Repeal and Replace our Clean Power PlanOct 10, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Don’t let Trump Repeal and Replace our Clean Power Plan After failing to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, the Trump administration now has its… Continue Reading
Faith and Health Summit Spotlight: Mental Health WorkshopsOct 9, 2017Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator Faith and Health Summit Spotlight: Mental Health Workshops Partners in Health and Wholeness invites you to join us in Greensboro on Friday, October 20,… Continue Reading
Join Us for the PHW Faith and Health SummitOct 5, 2017Michelle Peedin, Program Associate for PHW and NCIPL Join Us for the PHW Faith and Health Summit On Thursday, October 19th Partners in Health and Wholeness will host our 2017 Faith and Health… Continue Reading
Welcome YolandaOct 3, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Welcome Yolanda Yolanda will be with the Council during the 2017-2018 academic year as an intern through Duke… Continue Reading
Lament for Las VegasOct 2, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Lament for Las Vegas There are no words… and so my words come from the Psalms where laments make up… Continue Reading
Defenders of Rights; Defenders of PrivilegeSep 30, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege At many levels, Americans are confronting issues of race relations and racial justice with an intensity… Continue Reading
Time to Take a KneeSep 29, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Time to Take a Knee It has been nearly fourteen months since Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the playing of the… Continue Reading
Welcome LindsaySep 28, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Welcome Lindsay The Council is excited to introduce you to our newest staff member, Lindsay Barth. Lindsay joined… Continue Reading
Suicide Awareness Prevention: Shalom Instead of SilenceSep 27, 2017Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator Suicide Awareness Prevention: Shalom Instead of Silence September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Our work at Partners in Health and Wholeness, and with… Continue Reading
Increased Energy Rates, Decreased Funds for MissionsSep 26, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Increased Energy Rates, Decreased Funds for Missions Remarks offered at the Duke Energy Progress Rate Increase hearing on Monday, September 25. Right now… Continue Reading
What should the Peoples Climate Movement do next?Sep 25, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director What should the Peoples Climate Movement do next? It has been three years since 400,000+ people came together in the streets of New York… Continue Reading
The Affordable Care Act TodaySep 22, 2017Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness The Affordable Care Act Today The Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to be one of the most divisive laws passed in… Continue Reading
Confederate-themed monuments: Time to reassessSep 21, 2017North Carolina Council of Churches Confederate-themed monuments: Time to reassess Issue Statement on Confederate Monuments Approved September 13, 2017 by the Governing Board of the North… Continue Reading
Praying in Opposition to Fracked Gas PipelinesSep 18, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Praying in Opposition to Fracked Gas Pipelines The Atlantic Coast Pipeline met more opposition last week. This time in the form of a… Continue Reading
Hurricanes and Interfaith Power & LightSep 14, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Hurricanes and Interfaith Power & Light Over the past week we have experienced a thousand-year flood in Houston and the most powerful… Continue Reading
Statement Supporting Transparency and Accountability on American Involvement in TortureSep 13, 2017North Carolina Council of Churches Statement Supporting Transparency and Accountability on American Involvement in Torture Approved September 13, 2017 by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches As… Continue Reading
Welcome KatieSep 12, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Welcome Katie The Council is excited to have Katie Withers, a Master of Social Work student at North… Continue Reading
Statement Opposing Fracked Gas PipelinesSep 12, 2017North Carolina Council of Churches Statement Opposing Fracked Gas Pipelines As people of faith, we proclaim our belief that our world is God’s creation, that God… Continue Reading
Regaining our Faith in DemocracySep 11, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Regaining our Faith in Democracy In surveys conducted during the months leading up to the 2016 election, large numbers of Americans… Continue Reading
Emotional and Mental Health Storm PreparationSep 8, 2017Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator Emotional and Mental Health Storm Preparation Life is unpredictable. This truth is paramount with an oncoming hurricane or tropical storm. Many North… Continue Reading
Blessed Are the DreamersSep 7, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Blessed Are the Dreamers This week, the Trump administration announced it will end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an… Continue Reading
The Infection in Our DemocracyAug 25, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director The Infection in Our Democracy On April 26, 1865, my great-great-grandfather was camped a mere five miles from where I now… Continue Reading
Partners in Health and Wholeness Announces Photography ContestAug 23, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator Partners in Health and Wholeness Announces Photography Contest They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and we want to hear what you… Continue Reading
Praying for a Total Eclipse of the HeartAug 21, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Praying for a Total Eclipse of the Heart Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me… Continue Reading
In the Face of ViolenceAug 18, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director In the Face of Violence Today, Friday, August 18, 2017, South Main in Durham, NC, is closed to traffic. Civil employees… Continue Reading
Opposing the RAISE ActAug 18, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Opposing the RAISE Act Two weeks ago, the President endorsed a new bill in the Senate designed to cut legal… Continue Reading
Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and WhenAug 17, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and When When President Trump stepped to a White House lectern on Monday and rebuked the instigators of… Continue Reading
Response to the Violence in CharlottesvilleAug 15, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Response to the Violence in Charlottesville Before I came to call the great state of North Carolina home, I was a proud… Continue Reading
Marching Orders for New MapsAug 10, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Marching Orders for New Maps The three federal judges could have just come right out and said it: The Republicans who… Continue Reading
Job Opening: Office ManagerAug 7, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Job Opening: Office Manager Update: This position has now been filled. The Council is hiring an office manager to work… Continue Reading
Supporting Young Immigrants’ DreamsAug 5, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Supporting Young Immigrants’ Dreams Five years ago, President Obama created the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program to enable… Continue Reading
One Last Time…..Aug 4, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director One Last Time….. Even when the opportunity before you is grand, it is hard to leave a place you… Continue Reading
Rights Advocacy At RiskAug 3, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Rights Advocacy At Risk The optics, as they say, are terrible. But in a state whose motto is “To Be… Continue Reading
Police Brutality is not a Joking MatterAug 3, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Police Brutality is not a Joking Matter By Andrew Hudgins, NCCC Program Associate for Operations, for The Resistance Prays News: In a speech… Continue Reading
Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health CareJul 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health Care We find ourselves in a better place than we might have been when it comes to… Continue Reading
Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, AgainJul 27, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, Again Better get used to it. The N.C. General Assembly, after an all-too-brief adjournment during July, is… Continue Reading
Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us AllJul 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All Wednesday’s federal-policy-by-tweet announcement that children of God who are transgender could no longer serve in the… Continue Reading
What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health CareJul 25, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health Care The U.S. Senate’s vote this afternoon moves the debate forward to potentially repeal and replace the… Continue Reading
July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely TodayJul 25, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely Today It appears that the U.S. Senate will vote today on some sort of health care action.… Continue Reading
Gov. Cooper Speaks Up for Protecting NC’s CoastJul 24, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Gov. Cooper Speaks Up for Protecting NC’s Coast Governor Roy Cooper has announced his strong opposition to offshore drilling and seismic blasting along North… Continue Reading
Honor Workers with a Labor Day SabbathJul 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Honor Workers with a Labor Day Sabbath The Council is partnering with Raise the Wage NC to encourage faith communities to hold a… Continue Reading
Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental InjusticeJul 22, 2017Michelle Peedin, Program Associate for PHW and NCIPL Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental Injustice More than 10,000 individuals and 50 organizations have signed a petition asking Governor Cooper to revoke… Continue Reading
Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep CallingJul 21, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep Calling No one seems completely clear on whether the Senate will vote next week on health care… Continue Reading
Wages of WarJul 20, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Wages of War Wartime profits are a thing — from the people who make the machines we use to… Continue Reading
Council Executive Director Honored with Asbury AwardJul 20, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Council Executive Director Honored with Asbury Award Jennifer Copeland, the Council’s Executive Director, has been honored with the 2017 Francis Asbury Award by… Continue Reading
Great to Meet You at Wild Goose!Jul 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Great to Meet You at Wild Goose! We were delighted to meet many of you at the Wild Goose Festival last week. Council… Continue Reading
Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating EffectsJul 14, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects Yesterday, the Senate unveiled a revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. According to a… Continue Reading
America’s Role in Torture — Beginning the Path to ForgivenessJul 9, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director America’s Role in Torture — Beginning the Path to Forgiveness With so many issues confronting us, our nation’s involvement in acts of torture is fading from… Continue Reading
Healing MiraclesJul 7, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Healing Miracles Just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.… Continue Reading
More Wind Energy, Not LessJul 3, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director More Wind Energy, Not Less It is becoming a national trend for politicians to “divide and conquer” by attacking the wind industry… Continue Reading
Rising Up with Richmond CountyJul 1, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Rising Up with Richmond County “Biomass” may sound like a clean idea, but it actually means cutting down and turning trees… Continue Reading
Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget FlawsJun 30, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws Presented with a new state budget that, whatever its occasional virtues, is mainly about easing tax… Continue Reading
With Prescription Medication, Verify Before You BuyJun 29, 2017Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness With Prescription Medication, Verify Before You Buy Would you be Surprised to know 97 percent of online pharmacies are illegitimate? The North Carolina… Continue Reading
Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential HarmJun 27, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential Harm Late yesterday afternoon the Congressional Budget Office released their score of the Senate’s proposed health care… Continue Reading
The President’s New Policies are Bad for Cuba and the ChurchJun 27, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director The President’s New Policies are Bad for Cuba and the Church I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit Cuba on two occasions: the first in… Continue Reading
NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40Jun 26, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40 For at least the next month, drivers along I-40 West between Statesville and Hickory will see… Continue Reading
Video: What’s the Council Staff Up to this Summer?Jun 25, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Video: What’s the Council Staff Up to this Summer? It has been a busy year and is shaping up to be an even busier summer.… Continue Reading
Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More SoJun 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So Members of the United States Senate have released their proposed health care plan, all 142 pages… Continue Reading
New Budget with Old Agenda Falls ShortJun 22, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican… Continue Reading
Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep CallingJun 21, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling As the Senate continues its secret deliberations on a health care plan that will effect all… Continue Reading
Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee DayJun 19, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day First celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20. The day marks a… Continue Reading
Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in DayJun 14, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress… Continue Reading
Our Unceasing Prayer Must Be for PeaceJun 14, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Our Unceasing Prayer Must Be for Peace The tragedy of gun violence in this country seems unending. We pray for those impacted, whether… Continue Reading
Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, NowJun 14, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now The Republicans who took control of North Carolina’s General Assembly with the elections of 2010 were,… Continue Reading
GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not HelpfulJun 12, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful The General Assembly leaders meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the… Continue Reading
UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts FairlyJun 8, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly UPDATE In separate, party-line votes on June 8, the state House and Senate rejected Gov. Cooper’s… Continue Reading
Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7Jun 7, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7 Representatives in the General Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are… Continue Reading
Sanctuary as a Sacred ActJun 2, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Sanctuary as a Sacred Act Photo courtesy of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Under President Trump’s recent executive orders, many… Continue Reading
Rolling WatersJun 2, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Rolling Waters A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I headed north for my sister’s graduation. Being… Continue Reading
Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate MovementJun 1, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement We were already living in a time of profound consequence. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the… Continue Reading
Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2Jun 1, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2 Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that… Continue Reading
Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on GunsMay 30, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would… Continue Reading
We Are Love WarriorsMay 28, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director We Are Love Warriors The exhilaration of Easter is fading into memory, and we are left with more routine matters. Unfortunately,… Continue Reading
The Plank in Your EyeMay 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director The Plank in Your Eye As followers of the Prince of Peace, Christians are not always particularly peaceful people, which is… Continue Reading
Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting MapMay 25, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map Following the elections of 2010 – tilted as they were by an intense right-wing pushback against… Continue Reading
Heal the SickMay 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Heal the Sick For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health… Continue Reading
2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our CallMay 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House.… Continue Reading
For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GAMay 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA Last week was a mixed bag for children and youth in terms of activity at the… Continue Reading
Justice on GerrymanderingMay 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Justice on Gerrymandering Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court affirms what many in North Carolina knew – the… Continue Reading
Join the Council at Wild Goose!May 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Join the Council at Wild Goose! The Council is a sponsor of the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs this July. Members… Continue Reading
What Gives Me HopeMay 22, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director What Gives Me Hope Remarks delivered at the NC Justice Center’s 2017 Defenders of Justice Awards where the Council was… Continue Reading
Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling CoreMay 19, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide… Continue Reading
2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18May 15, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director 2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18 About this time two years ago, I accepted the offer to become the next Executive Director… Continue Reading
Special Interest Altar CallsMay 11, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Special Interest Altar Calls By now, most of us have read “Dark Money” or heard enough about the subject it… Continue Reading
Apply for PHW Collaborative by May 31 to be Eligible for June Mini-GrantMay 11, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator Apply for PHW Collaborative by May 31 to be Eligible for June Mini-Grant The next Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-grant Cycle will begin June 5. Interested congregations must… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017May 11, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals,… Continue Reading
The People’s Climate March — Called to RespondMay 8, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond Multi-faith pilgrims on a moral high road unified to honor God’s creation at the Peoples Climate… Continue Reading
Shepherds of CreationMay 8, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Shepherds of Creation Sermon preached on May 7, 2017 at Church of the Nativity, Raleigh. When I was in… Continue Reading
Have You Downloaded the NC Council of Churches App?May 5, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Have You Downloaded the NC Council of Churches App? If you haven’t, here’s a bit of encouragement from Council staff.
House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than ThisMay 4, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than This The passage of the American Health Care Act by the House of Representatives reflects a political… Continue Reading
Urgent Action Alert: Please Call Congress about Health CareMay 4, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Urgent Action Alert: Please Call Congress about Health Care Our allies at the NC Justice Center have put out the following action alert about efforts… Continue Reading
Shine a Light on Postpartum Depression This Mother’s DayMay 1, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator Shine a Light on Postpartum Depression This Mother’s Day We often struggle to address mental health in our communities of faith. This Mother’s Day, as… Continue Reading
When the Good Samaritan is Your NeighborApr 30, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations When the Good Samaritan is Your Neighbor If you’re part of the Christian tradition then you have probably heard the story of the… Continue Reading
Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have DiedApr 28, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have Died Remarks delivered at the Workers’ Memorial, April 28, at the Old Capitol Building, Raleigh Micah 7:1-4,… Continue Reading
Retiring Judge Stands TallApr 27, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Retiring Judge Stands Tall As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017Apr 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [The deadlines for the introduction of most new bills have… Continue Reading
Guns on Campus Are a Bad IdeaApr 25, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients… Continue Reading
Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in CongressApr 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in Congress The public is opposed to efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act, but some members of… Continue Reading
Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile JusticeApr 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place… Continue Reading
Science Must Matter to People of FaithApr 22, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Science Must Matter to People of Faith Crowds are gathered on this Earth Day in Washington, D.C. and in cities across the country… Continue Reading
Tax-Cut Fever Threatens ServicesApr 22, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services How many times do we have to say it? Well, it’s worth repeating – especially in… Continue Reading
There’s an App for ThatApr 21, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations There’s an App for That The Council is excited to announce the release of our free app for iOS and Android… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017Apr 21, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For the latest committee referrals and re-referrals, go to the… Continue Reading
Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus?Apr 21, 2017Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus? In this Easter season of the Christian church, we have just celebrated Resurrection Sunday and the… Continue Reading
Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take ActionApr 19, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take Action Congressional leaders are still in their home states for their spring recess, but your voices are… Continue Reading
SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25Apr 18, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25 Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly discussed SB 145, an… Continue Reading
From Sour to SweetApr 17, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations From Sour to Sweet Confession: I didn’t give anything up for Lent this year and I don’t feel bad about… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017Apr 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers &… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Easter SundayApr 15, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
Easter Greetings from the CouncilApr 15, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Easter Greetings from the Council Sanctuary of West Raleigh Presbyterian Church as photographed by Martie Leming Maundy Thursday, 2017 Goodness is… Continue Reading
New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better HealthApr 14, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health North Carolina’s failure under Republican leadership to improve low-income residents’ access to health care via the… Continue Reading
No More of ThisApr 14, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director No More of This In the final hours of the first day of the Triduum, these intense three days when… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Holy SaturdayApr 14, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations 2017 Lenten Guide — Holy Saturday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Good FridayApr 13, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director 2017 Lenten Guide — Good Friday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
A Day in the Life of….Apr 13, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director A Day in the Life of…. Preached on April 12 at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill Holy Week, this… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Maundy ThursdayApr 12, 2017Nicole Johnson, PHW Regional Coordinator 2017 Lenten Guide — Maundy Thursday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017Apr 10, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the… Continue Reading
Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’Apr 8, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’ Our national politics are in an ugly place, driven by an accelerating cycle of suspicion, accusation,… Continue Reading
NC Council of Churches to be Recognized as a Defender of JusticeApr 7, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director NC Council of Churches to be Recognized as a Defender of Justice Jesus mentions when discussing faith-based activity, “Do not sound a trumpet before you…so that [you] might… Continue Reading
Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not FinishedApr 6, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference… Continue Reading
Let NC Legislators Know You Care about CreationApr 6, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Let NC Legislators Know You Care about Creation NC Interfaith Power and Light’s lay and faith leader network is at the General Assembly on… Continue Reading
Standing on Our HeadsApr 3, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Standing on Our Heads Sermon preached by the Rev. Jennifer Copeland on April 1, 2017 at First United Methodist Church,… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Fifth SundayApr 1, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Lenten Guide — Fifth Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’Apr 1, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’ Call it a head-on collision between politics and principle. Is anyone surprised that politics prevailed? Yet… Continue Reading
Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive OrderMar 29, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation OnlineMar 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online For those who could not be with us at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh,… Continue Reading
Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of WorshipMar 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of Worship Our friends at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence have issued the alert below. Please note that… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017Mar 26, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION H 356, Tax Reduction… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Fourth SundayMar 25, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director 2017 Lenten Guide — Fourth Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In InstructionsMar 24, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations 2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions Thank you to those who have registered for the 2017 Legislative Seminar. We are looking forward… Continue Reading
UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s VoteMar 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote Thank you for every call, email, and letter to Congressional leaders that led to today’s decision… Continue Reading
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!Mar 24, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate GOP Mantra: Party Hearty! They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017Mar 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION HB 329, Home School… Continue Reading
Increased Costs in NC Under Health Care RepealMar 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Increased Costs in NC Under Health Care Repeal With a House vote on the plan to appeal the Affordable Care Act as early as… Continue Reading
Do the GooseMar 19, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Do the Goose If you think organized religion has lost its appeal (25% of Americans do; most of them… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Third SundayMar 18, 2017Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness 2017 Lenten Guide — Third Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?Mar 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach? The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017Mar 14, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 233, Ban… Continue Reading
Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?Mar 13, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick? Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Second SundayMar 11, 2017Michelle Peedin, Program Associate for PHW and NCIPL 2017 Lenten Guide — Second Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
Women and WagesMar 8, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Women and Wages Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference on fair wages on March… Continue Reading
Taking Away Health CareMar 8, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Taking Away Health Care Despite evidence that the Affordable Care Act is more popular and more needed than ever, some… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017Mar 7, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 147, Reenact School… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DCMar 6, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — First SundayMar 4, 2017Jessica Stokes, PHW Regional Coordinator 2017 Lenten Guide — First Sunday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
Introducing the Partners in Health and Wholeness CollaborativeMar 3, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator Introducing the Partners in Health and Wholeness Collaborative We are pleased to introduce the PHW Collaborative. Mostly, it is a change in the name,… Continue Reading
PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017Mar 3, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017 We are pleased to introduce the PHW Collaborative. Mostly, it is a change in the name,… Continue Reading
H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect RightsMar 3, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights The fight over North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – the law that notoriously stamps the state’s… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017Mar 1, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills ENVIRONMENTAL CARE H 171, Change Exclusion for… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Ash WednesdayMar 1, 2017Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator 2017 Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
2017 Lenten Guide — Sing With UsFeb 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Lenten Guide — Sing With Us For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a… Continue Reading
N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’Feb 25, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’ Politics, at least in a democracy, is competitive. The analogy to sports may be simplistic but… Continue Reading
Video of Webinar: Loving Our Neighbors in a New AdministrationFeb 24, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Video of Webinar: Loving Our Neighbors in a New Administration Did you miss our webinar, ““Loving Our Neighbors in a New Administration?” If so, please watch… Continue Reading
Congregations Act on Faith and ScienceFeb 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Congregations Act on Faith and Science Remarks delivered by NCIPL Director Susannah Tuttle at a press conference on February 23. People of… Continue Reading
Let Loving One Another Become Our NormFeb 23, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Let Loving One Another Become Our Norm Yesterday morning, the Sandra P. Lerner Jewish Community Day School in Durham received a bomb threat.… Continue Reading
Sol Train Connects Climate and Faith with Solar PowerFeb 22, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Sol Train Connects Climate and Faith with Solar Power Many people want to take meaningful action on climate change but don’t know where to start.… Continue Reading
Ethical Debates on Industrial AgricultureFeb 21, 2017Michelle Peedin, Program Associate for PHW and NCIPL Ethical Debates on Industrial Agriculture An ethical debate is a bit of a juxtaposition. As we know, ethics are a set… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017Feb 20, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 75, Constitutional Amendment… Continue Reading
Governor Fights Power ShortageFeb 17, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Governor Fights Power Shortage North Carolina’s governor gets to live in a mansion whose handsome property occupies a full city… Continue Reading
Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching ImpactFeb 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching Impact By George Reed, Retired Executive Director I came to North Carolina in 1978 to work with… Continue Reading
Answering your Questions about SanctuaryFeb 16, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Answering your Questions about Sanctuary President Trump’s recent executive actions impacting refugees and immigrants have faithful people increasingly interested in how… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017Feb 15, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director As the legislative session continues, there’s been a marked increase… Continue Reading
Welcome Andrew and Michelle!Feb 15, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Welcome Andrew and Michelle! The Council has added two new staffers in recent months. Andrew Hudgins is our Program Associate… Continue Reading
Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for SaleFeb 11, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at HKonJ 2017. Picture this on the marquee in… Continue Reading
Whispers and ShoutsFeb 11, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Whispers and Shouts Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle… Continue Reading
Refugees Welcomed, Not BannedFeb 10, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Refugees Welcomed, Not Banned Last in a series of three blogs. Above all, these strangers bring to us the Christ.… Continue Reading
Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not HospitalityFeb 7, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality Second in a series of three blogs. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for… Continue Reading
Big Stakes in High Court PickFeb 1, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Big Stakes in High Court Pick Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for… Continue Reading
The Pipelines We Need and the Ones We Don’tJan 31, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director The Pipelines We Need and the Ones We Don’t Last week President Trump signed executive actions to advance the construction of the Keystone, Dakota Access,… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017Jan 31, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The 2017 General Assembly has begun its work. Elected in… Continue Reading
Speak Against Vitriol; Stand for ValuesJan 30, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Speak Against Vitriol; Stand for Values For more than 80 years the NC Council of Churches has stood for essential human rights… Continue Reading
Blessed not Blocked or BannedJan 30, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Blessed not Blocked or Banned This Sunday’s Gospel reading was the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus says blessed nine times, but he… Continue Reading
Keeping With CommunityJan 29, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Keeping With Community Enabling good health is a community restoration project. It’s really not about prescription plans, deductibles, out-of-pocket… Continue Reading
The Threat is not from Immigrants and RefugeesJan 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director The Threat is not from Immigrants and Refugees The Council has had a busy weekend. Much of the staff was helping with the Beyond… Continue Reading
Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long HaulJan 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as… Continue Reading
Sanctuary, Not DeportationJan 27, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Sanctuary, Not Deportation First in a series of three blogs. God calls people of faith to remember that they… Continue Reading
The ACA Remains in Place; 2017 Open Enrollment ends January 31Jan 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director The ACA Remains in Place; 2017 Open Enrollment ends January 31 The Affordable Care Act is still in place for 2017, and as our friends at the… Continue Reading
Let’s Keep MarchingJan 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Let’s Keep Marching At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my… Continue Reading
Moving Beyond Gun ViolenceJan 21, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Moving Beyond Gun Violence Two weeks ago I flew to Florida for a national gathering of state ecumenical leaders and… Continue Reading
A Letter to President TrumpJan 20, 2017Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director A Letter to President Trump Dear Mr. Trump, You ARE my president. I did not vote for you, but you were… Continue Reading
Medicaid Push: Cooper’s Strong StartJan 20, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Medicaid Push: Cooper’s Strong Start For many of us, these are troubling times as Donald Trump ascends to the nation’s highest… Continue Reading
