The Spirituality of Loneliness in Life’s Second ChapterOct 12, 2020The Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging The Spirituality of Loneliness in Life’s Second Chapter “Quite simply, human relationship is as essential to our well-being as food and water.” –former Surgeon… 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
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
Healing MiraclesJul 7, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Healing Miracles Just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.… 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Healthy Churches 2020 National ConferenceJan 17, 2017Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference Pizazz. Laughter. Friends. Singing. These words describe the Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference. But, did you… Continue Reading
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t KiddingDec 31, 2015Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate 2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding For those of us who want to see North Carolina governed with the interests of all… Continue Reading
Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA DecisionJun 25, 2015George Reed, Former Executive Director Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision The North Carolina Council of Churches celebrates today’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act. … Continue Reading
Congratulations to Harriette ThompsonJun 7, 2015George Reed, Former Executive Director Congratulations to Harriette Thompson Photo via Telesport.al In my decades in North Carolina, first with the NC Baptist State Convention… Continue Reading
So Long, 2014: It Wasn’t all Pretty!Dec 29, 2014Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate So Long, 2014: It Wasn’t all Pretty! Of the many decisions and activities that unfold in the arena of public affairs, the ones… Continue Reading
Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’Jul 29, 2014Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’ UPDATE: After this blog was posted, the final budget was unveiled and passed by the House… Continue Reading
Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground?Apr 3, 2014Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground? Healthy North Carolina 2020 is a health improvement plan for our state. It addresses a wide… Continue Reading
Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on SaturdayFeb 6, 2014George Reed, Former Executive Director Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s… Continue Reading
Beech Valley Baptist Church in Sugar Grove to Participate in Strive to Revive Cardiac Arrest Rescue ProgramFeb 5, 2014Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Beech Valley Baptist Church in Sugar Grove to Participate in Strive to Revive Cardiac Arrest Rescue Program High Country Press Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), the North Carolina Council… Continue Reading
HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8Jan 12, 2014George Reed, Former Executive Director HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8 It’s now just four weeks until this year’s HKonJ People’s Assembly. There is nothing more important for… Continue Reading
Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy AssistanceNov 20, 2013Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy Assistance What does the Lord require of you? Christians are very familiar with the Micah 6:8 verse… Continue Reading
Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger BrinkOct 11, 2013Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink The political stakes and motives are plain to see. President Obama and his Democratic allies on… Continue Reading
Conversations Today or Crisis TomorrowSep 24, 2013Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator Conversations Today or Crisis Tomorrow I spent August 2011 through August 2012 working as a chaplain resident at Wake Forest Baptist… Continue Reading
Medicare Turns 48 on July 30Jul 19, 2013Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Medicare Turns 48 on July 30 Dozens of organizations across the country are planning events to celebrate Medicare on or around the… Continue Reading
Faith Communities Cannot Do It AllJul 10, 2013George Reed, Former Executive Director Faith Communities Cannot Do It All Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried… Continue Reading
Faith Leaders for a Just Society in AshevilleMay 16, 2013Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Faith Leaders for a Just Society in Asheville Faith leaders in Asheville are adding their voices to those outraged by the actions of NC… Continue Reading
NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less FortunateApr 23, 2013Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate In keeping with its mission of supporting peace, unity and social justice, the Council recently has… Continue Reading
Tax Reform CookiesApr 13, 2013Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Tax Reform Cookies There’s no telling how the tax cookies will crumble by the time the 2013 General Assembly… Continue Reading
Free AEDs and CPR Training for Select CountiesApr 5, 2013Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Free AEDs and CPR Training for Select Counties The NC Council of Churches, American Red Cross and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC are partnering together to provide more Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to places of worship in select counties. To date, 183 congregations have received an award. To learn more or to complete an application, please click here. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 24.
Putting a Face on LegislationMar 15, 2013Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Putting a Face on Legislation Our state and nation are in a time of civil discord. My own preacher, the Rev. Betty… Continue Reading
Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal CutsFeb 22, 2013Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal Cuts On March 1, new federal cuts will begin to take effect. If nothing is done, many… Continue Reading
Protect Yourself and Others This Flu SeasonJan 10, 2013Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season Over the holidays, North Carolina State Health Director, Dr. Laura Gerald, put out a press release… Continue Reading
Looking for Community Sparkplugs for a Healthier Wilson CountyJan 7, 2013Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Looking for Community Sparkplugs for a Healthier Wilson County The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and The Rensselaerville Institute are looking for individuals with project ideas for creating a healthier Wilson County. Projects will be implemented over the next 6 months and must focus on increasing physical activity and/or access to and consumption of fresh produce. Selected Community Sparkplugs and their teams will receive the following: a $3,000 grant (simple application process), individualized help to create an action plan and set project results, support and coaching over the next 6 months, and an opportunity to become part of a growing network of Community Sparkplugs across North Carolina.
Update on Free AED and CPR ProgramDec 13, 2012Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Update on Free AED and CPR Program In the spring of this year, the NC Council of Churches and our partners, Blue Cross… Continue Reading
Needed: Lobbyists for the VoicelessDec 7, 2012Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc.… Continue Reading
CPR Less Likely in Low Income NeighborhoodsNov 5, 2012Trinh Le, Former Strive to Revive Assistant - Partners in Health and Wholeness CPR Less Likely in Low Income Neighborhoods WFMY News 2HD Ramsuer, NC – What if your chances of surviving a heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest, depended on the neighborhood you lived in? According to a new study, it just may. The New England Journal of Medicine suggests CPR by a bystander is less likely in low-income areas. They go on to say there is a direct relationship between household income and the racial makeup of a neighborhood.
Urge Congress to Promote the Common Good, Protect the VulnerableAug 24, 2012Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Urge Congress to Promote the Common Good, Protect the Vulnerable Laypeople, clergy and organizational leaders can urge Congress to protect programs vital to vulnerable people as… Continue Reading
Program Aims To Put Defibrillators In ChurchesAug 17, 2012Trinh Le, Former Strive to Revive Assistant - Partners in Health and Wholeness Program Aims To Put Defibrillators In Churches WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio Eric Hodge: Several state organizations are banding together give churches the tools to save lives. Gurnal Scott reports. Gurnal Scott: State Representative Becky Carney of Charlotte will never forget April 2nd, 2009..the day a portable defibrillator revived her after a near-fatal heart attack at the General Assembly Rep. Becky Carney: One story can propel a great movement within a community.
Strive to Revive: All Places of Worship Invited to ApplyAug 9, 2012Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Strive to Revive: All Places of Worship Invited to Apply Places of worship across North Carolina are invited to apply for a free Automated External Defibrillator… Continue Reading
Drop Everything and GoAug 7, 2012Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL Drop Everything and Go I had a scare last month. My husband and I returned home on our 31st anniversary… Continue Reading
Health On EarthJul 2, 2012Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Health On Earth The News & Observer The N.C. Council of Churches rejoices in the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act, affirming the decades-long concerns of the council for those without health care.
Health Care for All God’s Children — ACA UpheldJun 28, 2012Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Health Care for All God’s Children — ACA Upheld The NC Council of Churches rejoices in today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the… Continue Reading
New County Health Rankings Point to Disparities in HealthApr 10, 2012Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness New County Health Rankings Point to Disparities in Health The 2012 County Health Rankings report, recently released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the… Continue Reading
Join Us at HKonJ This SaturdayFeb 6, 2012Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Join Us at HKonJ This Saturday The 2012 Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly is this Saturday, February 11. We’ll… Continue Reading
Obese Corpses Rejected for Medical ResearchJan 11, 2012Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Obese Corpses Rejected for Medical Research Carrying excess weight poses a number of health and other problems, but who knew such problems… Continue Reading
Free AEDs and CPR Trainings for CongregationsJan 4, 2012Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Free AEDs and CPR Trainings for Congregations Have you ever been in church when someone suffered a heart attack? If so, you know… Continue Reading
NC Smoke-free Law Results in Fewer Heart AttacksNov 16, 2011Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness NC Smoke-free Law Results in Fewer Heart Attacks North Carolina has scored another victory! About a week ago, you joined me in celebrating our… Continue Reading
Bladen Churches Unite: Being Healthy, Being Faithful 2012Nov 14, 2011Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Bladen Churches Unite: Being Healthy, Being Faithful 2012 BladenJournal.com Joy Williams of Partners in Health and Wholeness, a Christian-based organization, will collaborate with churches and the parish nurse on Monday, Nov. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church at 800 W. Broad St. (across from the Municipal Building), to make local churches healthier for the glory of God.
Seven Billion and GrowingNov 9, 2011Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Seven Billion and Growing The temperatures are dropping. The leaves are changing. Holidays are speeding by. We’ve already passed Halloween,… Continue Reading
NC People of Faith Urge Congressional Leaders to Protect the VulnerableNov 7, 2011Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director NC People of Faith Urge Congressional Leaders to Protect the Vulnerable More than 125 people of faith in North Carolina, including the heads of 10 denominations, are… Continue Reading
Nonprofit Offers Pharmacy ProgramNov 4, 2011Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Nonprofit Offers Pharmacy Program The Sanford Herald Giang said N.C. MedAssist representatives wanted to travel to each county to meet with eligible residents and explain the enrollment process. The organization contacted the North Carolina Council of Churches and expressed interest in partnering with faith-based organizations willing to host one-day enrollment programs. The Rev. Mechelle Myers of Sanford’s New Endland AME Zion Church received an e-mail from the Council about the initiative and was the first person to respond.
November is American Diabetes MonthNov 3, 2011Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness November is American Diabetes Month The American Diabetes Association has launched a new faith-based program called “Live Empowered” which is designed to assist churches with integrating diabetes awareness messages and life application principles into worship services. Also, in observance of American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is sponsoring “Super Diabetes Sunday” on November 13th. Super Diabetes Sundays will include materials and giveaways to help your congregation join the fight against diabetes.
Safety Net Programs: They’re Worth Fighting ForOct 26, 2011Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness Safety Net Programs: They’re Worth Fighting For NC Policy Watch It’s no wonder why our political leaders are scrambling to find solutions, even while bumping heads in the process. Both sides want what’s best for America, but the process through which we work to achieve that has become increasingly contentious and politically charged. And I can’t help but believe that our own personal experiences and beliefs, not the persuasive views of political pundits, ultimately determine on which side of an issue we fall and what we deem worth fighting for. Let me share a story.
Affirming NC’s Public Investments — An Opportunity for ActionFeb 4, 2011Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Affirming NC’s Public Investments — An Opportunity for Action The North Carolina Council of Churches is a member of the Together NC Coalition. In light… Continue Reading
Older Adults in Long-Term CareOct 28, 1998North Carolina Council of Churches Older Adults in Long-Term Care The plaintive cry of the Psalmist, “Cast me not off in the time of old age” (Ps. 71:9), demands renewed attention by the church as the number of older citizens escalates in American life. North Carolina’s 65 and over population is estimated to reach 1.2 million by 2010, more than 14% of the population. In 2011, the first of the “baby boomers” will reach retirement, with the percentage of older people in our population soaring to between fifteen and twenty percent.
