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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Economic Justice

Raise the Wage
Raise the Wage
Nov 23, 2020
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Raise the Wage

My faith tradition professes that our worth is in our faces because our faces look like… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Apr 29, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019

Introduced Bills CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 834 – Ban the Box would prohibit the state from asking… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Apr 22, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICEHB 781 – Limitations on Use of Solitary Confinementactually contains several items related… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Apr 5, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE/PRISON REFORM HB 460/SB 545 – Fair Chance Hiring would require state agencies… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
Mar 11, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION With the passing last month of the first anniversary of the… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019
Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019
Feb 26, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 46 – Economic Security Act of 2019HB 46 is a collection… Continue Reading

Because of Jesus
Because of Jesus
May 15, 2018
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

Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock
Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock
Apr 27, 2018
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
Politics of Eating
Apr 24, 2018
The Rev. Dr. 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

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women
Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women
Mar 22, 2018
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

Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women
Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women
Mar 13, 2018
Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women

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

Congress: Hands Off New Rule Protecting Families from Payday Lenders
Congress: Hands Off New Rule Protecting Families from Payday Lenders
Dec 19, 2017
The Rev. Dr. 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

Road Work Ahead: Jesus and Taxes
Road Work Ahead: Jesus and Taxes
Dec 1, 2017
Andrew 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

Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates
Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates
Nov 17, 2017
Steve 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

Rights Advocacy At Risk
Rights Advocacy At Risk
Aug 3, 2017
Steve 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

Honor Workers with a Labor Day Sabbath
Honor Workers with a Labor Day Sabbath
Jul 24, 2017
Aleta 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 Injustice
Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental Injustice
Jul 22, 2017
Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

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

Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects
Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects
Jul 14, 2017
Andrew 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 Miracles
Healing Miracles
Jul 7, 2017
The 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

More Wind Energy, Not Less
More Wind Energy, Not Less
Jul 3, 2017
Susannah 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 County
Rising Up with Richmond County
Jul 1, 2017
Susannah 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 Flaws
Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws
Jun 30, 2017
Steve 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

Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential Harm
Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential Harm
Jun 27, 2017
Andrew 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 Church
The President’s New Policies are Bad for Cuba and the Church
Jun 27, 2017
Jennie 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

Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So
Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So
Jun 22, 2017
Aleta 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 Short
New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short
Jun 22, 2017
Steve 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

GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful
GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful
Jun 12, 2017
Aleta 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

Rolling Waters
Rolling Waters
Jun 2, 2017
Andrew 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

Heal the Sick
Heal the Sick
May 24, 2017
Aleta 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 Call
2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call
May 23, 2017
Aleta 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

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core
Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core
May 19, 2017
Steve 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

Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have Died
Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have Died
Apr 28, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer 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

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Apr 27, 2017
Aleta 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

Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services
Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services
Apr 22, 2017
Steve 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

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017
Apr 21, 2017
Aleta 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?
Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus?
Apr 21, 2017
Sandy 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

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Apr 17, 2017
Aleta 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

New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health
New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health
Apr 14, 2017
Steve 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

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Apr 10, 2017
Aleta 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

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished
Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished
Apr 6, 2017
Aleta 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

2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online
2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online
Mar 28, 2017
Aleta 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

2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions
2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions
Mar 24, 2017
Andrew 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 Vote
UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote
Mar 24, 2017
Aleta 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

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?
If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?
Mar 17, 2017
Aleta 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, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Mar 14, 2017
Aleta 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?
Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?
Mar 13, 2017
Aleta 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

Women and Wages
Women and Wages
Mar 8, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer 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 Care
Taking Away Health Care
Mar 8, 2017
Aleta 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

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC
2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC
Mar 6, 2017
Aleta 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

H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
Mar 3, 2017
Steve 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

Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale
Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale
Feb 11, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer 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 Shouts
Whispers and Shouts
Feb 11, 2017
Aleta 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

Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality
Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality
Feb 7, 2017
Jennie 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

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Jan 27, 2017
Aleta 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

Let’s Keep Marching
Let’s Keep Marching
Jan 23, 2017
Aleta 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

A Letter to President Trump
A Letter to President Trump
Jan 20, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer 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

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees
Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees
Jan 10, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s… Continue Reading

Join us to Pray for Justice and Reconciliation and to Share Dinner Together
Join us to Pray for Justice and Reconciliation and to Share Dinner Together
Jan 3, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us to Pray for Justice and Reconciliation and to Share Dinner Together

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Durham and the NC Council of Churches invite you to join… Continue Reading

The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift
The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift
Dec 26, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift

Looking ahead to 2017, there is much more work for the Council to do than we… Continue Reading

Support North Carolina’s Faithful Voice for Justice, Unity, and Peace
Support North Carolina’s Faithful Voice for Justice, Unity, and Peace
Dec 18, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Support North Carolina’s Faithful Voice for Justice, Unity, and Peace

We are living in unsettling times. Progress we once thought inviolable now feels threatened. One constant… Continue Reading

Video — #LoveOneAnother
Video — #LoveOneAnother
Dec 8, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Video — #LoveOneAnother

The response to our sign-on ad was overwhelming and inspired the staff of the Council to… Continue Reading

A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope
A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope
Nov 11, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope

Those of us aligned with the Council of Churches share a political outlook whose priorities include… Continue Reading

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace
Advent Guide Focuses on Peace
Nov 10, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work… Continue Reading

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935
Separating Church and Hate Since 1935
Nov 9, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935

We work toward a church that is all-loving. That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what… Continue Reading

NC Council of Churches Stands with Standing Rock
NC Council of Churches Stands with Standing Rock
Nov 6, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

NC Council of Churches Stands with Standing Rock

Many of us have been following with great interest the resistance of Native Americans in North… Continue Reading

Dia de los Muertos: Honor for the Dead; Justice for the Living
Dia de los Muertos: Honor for the Dead; Justice for the Living
Nov 2, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Dia de los Muertos: Honor for the Dead; Justice for the Living

By Nina Voli, Duke Divinity School Intern Historically, the celebration of Halloween has its origins in… Continue Reading

Vote Your Values and Take a Friend
Vote Your Values and Take a Friend
Oct 13, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Vote Your Values and Take a Friend

Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference with the NC NAACP in… Continue Reading

Changing the View
Changing the View
Aug 11, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Changing the View

This sermon was preached on August 6, 2016 at the Church Women United Leadership Conference. Then… Continue Reading

Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief
Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief
Jun 30, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief

Sorry for the sugar-coating, but the state Senate’s attempt to enshrine its preferred tax policies in… Continue Reading

Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical Teaching
Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical Teaching
Jun 27, 2016
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical Teaching

“Don’t charge interest when you lend money to any of my people who are in need.”… Continue Reading

Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again
Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again
Jun 26, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again

There wasn’t a lot to like about what occurred the other day in a state Senate… Continue Reading

Five Questions Answered on Medicaid Expansion
Five Questions Answered on Medicaid Expansion
Jun 16, 2016
Liz Millar, Medicaid Expansion Project Coordinator

Five Questions Answered on Medicaid Expansion

Why are health care premiums steadily going up? Gallup polls at the end of 2015 found… Continue Reading

The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent
The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent
Jun 13, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches The Senate Finance Committee… Continue Reading

Budgeting that Tests our Values
Budgeting that Tests our Values
Jun 3, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Budgeting that Tests our Values

Let’s assume the worst, which for the moment would mean that the N.C. Senate’s version of… Continue Reading

Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song
Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song
May 26, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song

Well, did anyone really expect North Carolina’s General Assembly, in finalizing a new state budget, suddenly… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016

The update is compiled on a volunteer basis by George Reed, the Council’s retired executive director.… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016
Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016

The update is compiled on a volunteer basis by George Reed, the Council’s retired executive director.… Continue Reading

Safety is Imperative to Worker Justice
Safety is Imperative to Worker Justice
Apr 25, 2016
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Safety is Imperative to Worker Justice

Worker Memorial Day is April 28, a day when we remember workers who have lost their… Continue Reading

Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness
Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness
Apr 13, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness

North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – rammed through the General Assembly and signed into law in… Continue Reading

Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday Lending
Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday Lending
Apr 9, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday Lending

Remarks by Jennifer E. Copeland to Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, delivered… Continue Reading

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops
2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops
Apr 5, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops

Registration for 2016 Critical Issues Seminar workshops is now available online. If you have not yet… Continue Reading

Signs of Hope After Easter
Signs of Hope After Easter
Apr 3, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Signs of Hope After Easter

I do not believe that I am the only one who feels a little hopeless right… Continue Reading

Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them
Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them
Mar 21, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them

If Donald J. Trump successfully concludes his so-far-dominant push to become this year’s Republican presidential nominee,… Continue Reading

NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling
NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling
Mar 3, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling

The following was adopted by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches at… Continue Reading

Faith Organizations: Please Sign this Letter Asking for a Strong National Payday Rule
Faith Organizations: Please Sign this Letter Asking for a Strong National Payday Rule
Feb 19, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Organizations: Please Sign this Letter Asking for a Strong National Payday Rule

It took nine years to get payday lenders out of North Carolina. Now we face a… Continue Reading

Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open
Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open
Feb 9, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open

Join us for the Council’s 2016 Critical Issues Seminar, focused on Race, Power, and Privilege, on… Continue Reading

Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13
Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13
Feb 6, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13

Join the NAACP, NC Council of Churches, and other coalition partners for the Tenth Annual Moral… Continue Reading

Uncomplicating Justice
Uncomplicating Justice
Jan 5, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Uncomplicating Justice

A lot of times in the work that we do at the Council we preface our… Continue Reading

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
Dec 31, 2015
Steve 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

Advent Guide on Refugees — Third Sunday
Advent Guide on Refugees — Third Sunday
Dec 12, 2015
Ashley Yohman, Program Associate for Finance and Development

Advent Guide on Refugees — Third Sunday

Excerpted from In Those Days and In These, an Advent Devotional Guide from the NC Council… Continue Reading

A Living Wage in Wake County
A Living Wage in Wake County
Nov 28, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A Living Wage in Wake County

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Last week brought the welcome news that Wake County’s commissioners… Continue Reading

Shopping with Meaning
Shopping with Meaning
Nov 24, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Shopping with Meaning

Pope Francis has offered us a message encouraging us to actions that reflects a commitment to… Continue Reading

Coffee Cups and Jesus
Coffee Cups and Jesus
Nov 12, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Coffee Cups and Jesus

Jesus does not care about your latte. Your frappuccino, cappuccino, or mocha, either. At least, he… Continue Reading

Grant to Help HCFANC & Council Work on Medicaid Expansion
Grant to Help HCFANC & Council Work on Medicaid Expansion
Oct 28, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Grant to Help HCFANC & Council Work on Medicaid Expansion

Health Care for All NC and the NC Council of Churches have received a grant from… Continue Reading

Binkley Certified as Paying a Living Wage
Binkley Certified as Paying a Living Wage
Sep 23, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Binkley Certified as Paying a Living Wage

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director, NC Council of Churches Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church… Continue Reading

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End
Budget Struggle’s Bitter End
Sep 17, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End

The proverbial elephant labored and, against all hopeful expectations, brought forth a mouse. The “elephants” who… Continue Reading

The Odor Around the Lottery
The Odor Around the Lottery
Sep 5, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

The Odor Around the Lottery

When North Carolina legislators by the narrowest of margins 10 years ago approved a state lottery,… Continue Reading

Workers Deserve Dignity and Respect
Workers Deserve Dignity and Respect
Sep 4, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Workers Deserve Dignity and Respect

Monday, September 7 is Labor Day when we should honor the workers in our community with… Continue Reading

Congregations Need NC’s Solar Tax Credits Extended
Congregations Need NC’s Solar Tax Credits Extended
Aug 28, 2015
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Congregations Need NC’s Solar Tax Credits Extended

NC Interfaith Power & Light Director Susannah Tuttle delivered this statement at a press conference held… Continue Reading

Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict
Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict
Aug 21, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict

North Carolina has two legislative bodies, the 120-member House of Representatives and the 50-member Senate. They’re… Continue Reading

Observe Labor Sunday
Observe Labor Sunday
Aug 16, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Observe Labor Sunday

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend is Labor Sunday, a day to celebrate workers and their… Continue Reading

Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’
Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’
Aug 13, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’

With its misguided “Taxpayer Protection Act” scheme, the state Senate looks to put a crowning touch… Continue Reading

Lessons Learned from the Millennial Leaders Program
Lessons Learned from the Millennial Leaders Program
Aug 2, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Lessons Learned from the Millennial Leaders Program

Last month, I had the opportunity to be one of 50 young leaders from across the country… Continue Reading

Priorities and the Jet that Ate the Budget
Priorities and the Jet that Ate the Budget
Jul 25, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Priorities and the Jet that Ate the Budget

A recent article in Raleigh’s News and Observer focused on the F-35 jet. The American Friends… Continue Reading

Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision
Statement on the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision
Jun 25, 2015
George 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

Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts
Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts
May 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts

The rooster crowed. The sun came up. The rooster puffed his feathered chest as he beheld… Continue Reading

David LaMotte on the Fair Food Program
David LaMotte on the Fair Food Program
May 11, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

David LaMotte on the Fair Food Program

The Council’s Farmworker Ministry Committee has long been supportive of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and… Continue Reading

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Apr 18, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is… Continue Reading

Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear
Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear
Apr 11, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear

Since taking veto-proof control of the NC General Assembly in the elections of 2012, members of… Continue Reading

Faith and Taxation
Faith and Taxation
Mar 26, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Faith and Taxation

Lots of us will have our attention focused on taxes over the next couple of weeks.… Continue Reading

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Mar 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links… Continue Reading

Advocate for Family-Sustaining Living Wages and the Right to Organize
Advocate for Family-Sustaining Living Wages and the Right to Organize
Mar 12, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Advocate for Family-Sustaining Living Wages and the Right to Organize

According to Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), “four million fast food workers across the country are struggling… Continue Reading

Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!
Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!
Mar 11, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!

The Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar is about a month away, and we have an exciting program… Continue Reading

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters
Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters
Mar 3, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015… Continue Reading

Doomed UNC Centers Sang the Wrong Songs
Doomed UNC Centers Sang the Wrong Songs
Mar 2, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Doomed UNC Centers Sang the Wrong Songs

It’s easy to imagine what the conservative Republicans who rule North Carolina’s legislative roost were thinking:… Continue Reading

Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission
Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission
Feb 22, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission

One can say this about UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gene Nichol without fear of contradiction: He doesn’t seem… Continue Reading

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable
Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable
Feb 20, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable

Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.” … Continue Reading

Gene Nichol Won’t Let Us Ignore Poverty
Gene Nichol Won’t Let Us Ignore Poverty
Feb 19, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Gene Nichol Won’t Let Us Ignore Poverty

Gene Nichol was the recipient of the Council’s 2013 Faith Active in Public Life Award. (To… Continue Reading

What Frightens Civitas?
What Frightens Civitas?
Jan 28, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What Frightens Civitas?

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my… Continue Reading

Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?
Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?
Jan 15, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?

People who are poor pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes than do those… Continue Reading

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?
Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?
Jan 8, 2015
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?

Now that Epiphany is over, we are looking back on Advent and Christmas, and remembering our… Continue Reading

So Long, 2014: It Wasn’t all Pretty!
So Long, 2014: It Wasn’t all Pretty!
Dec 29, 2014
Steve 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

2014 Advent Guide
2014 Advent Guide
Nov 24, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2014 Advent Guide

The Council’s 2014 Advent Devotional Guide is now available as a free download. Each year, Council staff take… Continue Reading

Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads
Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads
Nov 8, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads

There’s no getting around the fact that when North Carolinians went to the polls on Nov.… Continue Reading

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville
Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville
Nov 7, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state… Continue Reading

Two Former NCCC Presidents Among Faith Leaders Meeting with US Labor Secretary
Two Former NCCC Presidents Among Faith Leaders Meeting with US Labor Secretary
Sep 23, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Two Former NCCC Presidents Among Faith Leaders Meeting with US Labor Secretary

On September 16, two former NC Council of Churches President were among a select group of 13… Continue Reading

American Eating Habits
American Eating Habits
Sep 4, 2014
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

American Eating Habits

A 12-year study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that Americans improved their… Continue Reading

Observing the Labor Sabbath This Weekend
Observing the Labor Sabbath This Weekend
Aug 25, 2014
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Observing the Labor Sabbath This Weekend

As Labor Day weekend quickly approaches, many people are thinking about beaches and barbeques. Amy Laura… Continue Reading

NC’s Plan to Improve Health in Rural Communities
NC’s Plan to Improve Health in Rural Communities
Aug 22, 2014
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

NC’s Plan to Improve Health in Rural Communities

I had the pleasure of serving on the North Carolina Institute of Medicine’s (NCIOM) Task Force… Continue Reading

Power Surge Hits Streams, Constitution
Power Surge Hits Streams, Constitution
Aug 21, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Power Surge Hits Streams, Constitution

The N.C. General Assembly during its 2014 session – a session so rife with disputes among… Continue Reading

Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith
Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith
Aug 15, 2014
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith

“There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate… Continue Reading

2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!
2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!
Aug 10, 2014
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!

Please join the North Carolina Council of Churches at the 2014 Faith and Health Summit, which… Continue Reading

Revenue-starved Budget Rattles and Rolls
Revenue-starved Budget Rattles and Rolls
Aug 5, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Revenue-starved Budget Rattles and Rolls

The debate is familiar: State government is too big. No, it’s too small. People in the… Continue Reading

Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’
Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’
Jul 29, 2014
Steve 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

National Priorities — What Would Jesus Say?
National Priorities — What Would Jesus Say?
Jul 18, 2014
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

National Priorities — What Would Jesus Say?

“Inequality for All,” a documentary with former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, considers the priorities of… Continue Reading

Council Spotlights Education, Opportunity
Council Spotlights Education, Opportunity
Jun 20, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Council Spotlights Education, Opportunity

The NC Council of Churches aims to exert a positive influence on public policies that have… Continue Reading

Choices, Conflicts Amid Budget Squeeze
Choices, Conflicts Amid Budget Squeeze
Jun 13, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Choices, Conflicts Amid Budget Squeeze

First it was Gov. Pat McCrory who tried to fashion a state budget giving teachers a… Continue Reading

Tax Cuts’ Sour Notes
Tax Cuts’ Sour Notes
May 20, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts’ Sour Notes

If a session of the NC General Assembly can be compared to an opera — comedy,… Continue Reading

Buckle Up – Here Comes the Legislature
Buckle Up – Here Comes the Legislature
May 10, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Buckle Up – Here Comes the Legislature

The motto of North Carolina’s General Assembly during the past few years could well have been… Continue Reading

Lutherans Sponsor Conference to Ponder Justice and Faith
Lutherans Sponsor Conference to Ponder Justice and Faith
Apr 15, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Lutherans Sponsor Conference to Ponder Justice and Faith

When the line to check in at a church-sponsored conference on a beautiful Saturday morning in… Continue Reading

Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World
Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World
Apr 10, 2014
Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern

Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World

I’ve learned over the last year as I’ve worked to complete my Masters of Social Work… Continue Reading

Palm Sunday: Poverty & Education by Gene Nichol
Palm Sunday: Poverty & Education by Gene Nichol
Apr 8, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Palm Sunday: Poverty & Education by Gene Nichol

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Common Sense Economics — How the Church Can Help
Common Sense Economics — How the Church Can Help
Apr 3, 2014
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Common Sense Economics — How the Church Can Help

Bad news about how we treat hourly workers consumes our headlines daily. Half of fast food… Continue Reading

Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground?
Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground?
Apr 3, 2014
Willona 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

Fifth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Creation
Fifth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Creation
Apr 1, 2014
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Fifth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Creation

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Housing Insecurity
Fourth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Housing Insecurity
Mar 25, 2014
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Housing Insecurity

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12
Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12
Mar 20, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Theological Conference on Public Policy — April 12

The call to people of faith through Moral Mondays continues to be felt. On April 12,… Continue Reading

Third Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Hunger
Third Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Hunger
Mar 18, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Third Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Hunger

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Second Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Farmworkers
Second Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Farmworkers
Mar 11, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Second Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Farmworkers

I’ll never forget how it felt to serve dinner to this group. About 30 hungry, tired farmworkers arrived back at their camp just as it was getting dark, and they were kind enough to welcome us into their humble space for a shared meal. This group of mostly young men had been busy harvesting sweet potatoes down East. Most were indigenous Mexicans who learned Spanish as a second language, who didn’t know any English.

As we spooned out rice and beans and poured soda from two-liter bottles, I was struck at how rare it is for any of us to meet the people who actually produce and harvest the food we eat. From our history of slavery to our modern industrial context, our society has not really reckoned with the grim reality of those at the bottom of our food chain.

First Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Health
First Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Health
Mar 8, 2014
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

First Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Health

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Those Who Do Without – From Our Social Justice Study for Lent
Those Who Do Without – From Our Social Justice Study for Lent
Mar 7, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Those Who Do Without – From Our Social Justice Study for Lent

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten… Continue Reading

Presbyterian Clergy Sign Letter for the Public Good
Presbyterian Clergy Sign Letter for the Public Good
Feb 28, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Presbyterian Clergy Sign Letter for the Public Good

A group of Presbyterian clergy have prepared and circulated A Pastoral Letter to their colleagues. It… Continue Reading

Gardening With a Purpose
Gardening With a Purpose
Feb 25, 2014
Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Gardening With a Purpose

Recently, I received a notice from a local community garden organizer about a grant opportunity sponsored… Continue Reading

Photos from HKonJ 2014
Photos from HKonJ 2014
Feb 22, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Photos from HKonJ 2014

The Council helped organize a Service of Repentance and Consecration in front of the General Assembly Building prior… Continue Reading

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly
HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly
Feb 8, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part… Continue Reading

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Feb 6, 2014
George 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

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
Jan 12, 2014
George 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

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks
A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks
Dec 29, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina –… Continue Reading

Signers Welcome — Letter to Governor McCrory
Signers Welcome — Letter to Governor McCrory
Nov 25, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Signers Welcome — Letter to Governor McCrory

The NC NAACP has endorsed an open letter to Gov. McCrory about the state’s decision to… Continue Reading

Human Dignity and Wages—Are We Stealing?
Human Dignity and Wages—Are We Stealing?
Nov 24, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Human Dignity and Wages—Are We Stealing?

As Christians, we are called to pay just wages. In Scripture, the Book of Timothy says,… Continue Reading

Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy Assistance
Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy Assistance
Nov 20, 2013
Sandy 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

Advent Worship Resources for Resisting Oppression
Advent Worship Resources for Resisting Oppression
Nov 13, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Advent Worship Resources for Resisting Oppression

Date: Advent 3 – Dec. 15, 2013
Topic: Resisting Oppression
Focus Text: James 5:7-10
Drawing on the Old Testament, James speaks of the prophets who endured suffering and, for their steadfastness, are called “blessed.” This is the same word used in the beatitudes, another text which brings comfort to those who are suffering or longing for justice in light of God’s future reign. James also goes on to invoke Job, a proverbial figure of faithfulness and long-suffering in times of trial. These figures exemplify faithfulness even in the face of oppression.

Day of the Dead and the Road Ahead for Farmworkers
Day of the Dead and the Road Ahead for Farmworkers
Nov 11, 2013
John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

Day of the Dead and the Road Ahead for Farmworkers

Andres Sandoval went to a doctor in Benson, North Carolina four years ago complaining of stomach… Continue Reading

God With Us: A Social Justice Advent Guide for Families
God With Us: A Social Justice Advent Guide for Families
Nov 4, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

God With Us: A Social Justice Advent Guide for Families

Because the season of Advent is a time of awaiting the Christ child and the risen Christ, it is a perfect time to think about social justice issues. Christ’s ministry, which is explored in other seasons of the Christian year, focuses on lifting up those whom society regarded as worthless or weak, including the poor, the ill, the foreigner, women, and children. Social justice was at the core of Jesus’ ministry. Based on the Advent readings for Lectionary Year A, this guide will assist you in slowing down this season by taking 20-30 minutes one night a week to focus on social justice.

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way
Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way
Oct 28, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way

With Halloween upon us and holiday baking not far behind, think in terms of fair-trade chocolate… Continue Reading

Shutdown’s Pain Spreads
Shutdown’s Pain Spreads
Oct 15, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Shutdown’s Pain Spreads

Once the budget snarl in Washington finally is untangled and the federal government is back up… Continue Reading

Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink
Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink
Oct 11, 2013
Steve 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

Federal Spending: Are You Concerned, Confused or Both?
Federal Spending: Are You Concerned, Confused or Both?
Sep 13, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Federal Spending: Are You Concerned, Confused or Both?

Congress is back in session.  Are you concerned about how your federal tax dollars are being… Continue Reading

Passing of Bishop Gossman
Passing of Bishop Gossman
Aug 13, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Passing of Bishop Gossman

Bishop Joseph Gossman, who died yesterday, was a great friend of the North Carolina Council of… Continue Reading

The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday
The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday
Aug 4, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday

Salon

Every week prayers and gospel songs infuse the air and participants offer blessings to the latest batch of 100 or so activists entering the Raleigh General Assembly building to commit civil disobedience. If you’re not from here, it may all seem a little counter-intuitive: A movement for inclusive and just secular governance that is deeply inflected with Christian ethics and arguments.

Prejudice Against the Poor
Prejudice Against the Poor
Aug 3, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Prejudice Against the Poor

Bob Seymour, minister emeritus of Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, recently provided a powerful commentary in the… Continue Reading

Three for the Governor’s ‘No’
Three for the Governor’s ‘No’
Aug 3, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Three for the Governor’s ‘No’

If Gov. Pat McCrory goes along with the General Assembly’s partial “disassembly” of state environmental rules… Continue Reading

More Damage as Session Ends
More Damage as Session Ends
Jul 26, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

More Damage as Session Ends

The General Assembly has adjourned its 2013 session after a final cascade of disappointing and disturbing bills that now await review by Gov. Pat McCrory. Among the bills approved are ones that will make it less convenient for many citizens to vote and that weaken regulatory oversight of the environment.

There was at least one bright spot, as the House rejected a last-minute push by the Senate to speed up the environmentally risky natural gas extraction process known as fracking. But on the whole, legislators succeeded in putting the crowning touches on a session devoted to a conservative agenda the likes of which modern North Carolina has never before seen.

Tax Cuts Take Shape
Tax Cuts Take Shape
Jul 17, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts Take Shape

It could be said that the elephant – symbol of the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly and governor’s office — has labored and brought forth a mouse. But this is a mouse with sharp teeth.

After weeks of effort, the legislature’s Republican majorities and Gov. Pat McCrory have agreed on a spate of changes to the state’s tax laws centered on cuts in personal and corporate income taxes. The cuts aren’t as deep as some conservatives wanted. Still, they will sap revenues that finance the entire portfolio of state programs and services.

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays
The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays
Jul 12, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Nation is Watching NC and Moral Mondays

The impact of Moral Mondays continues to extend beyond North Carolina. Two recent articles and an… Continue Reading

President’s Climate Action Plan Could Increase Air Quality and Business for NC
President’s Climate Action Plan Could Increase Air Quality and Business for NC
Jul 7, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

President’s Climate Action Plan Could Increase Air Quality and Business for NC

The President’s newly announced climate action plan calls for more funding for clean energy and limiting… Continue Reading

Reflection on Moral Mondays
Reflection on Moral Mondays
Jun 29, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Reflection on Moral Mondays

Participating in Moral Monday impressed me with a sense of fraternity and hope in the face… Continue Reading

We Are Called by Our Faith
We Are Called by Our Faith
Jun 28, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We Are Called by Our Faith

On Tuesday, June 25, President Obama spoke of our moral obligation to address climate change on… Continue Reading

Punishing the Jobless
Punishing the Jobless
Jun 26, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Punishing the Jobless

Upwards of 70,000 jobless North Carolinians are about to see their finances go from bad to… Continue Reading

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013
Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013
Jun 25, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years… Continue Reading

David LaMotte: Celebrating Dad’s Day By Taking Mine to Jail
David LaMotte: Celebrating Dad’s Day By Taking Mine to Jail
Jun 21, 2013
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

David LaMotte: Celebrating Dad’s Day By Taking Mine to Jail

David LaMotte, the Council’s Consultant for Peace, celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday with his four-year-old son… Continue Reading

A State of Urgency
A State of Urgency
Jun 19, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

A State of Urgency

As rabbis at this week’s event told reporters, the civil disobedience was not an option of first resort – Republican legislators repeatedly blew off meeting requests from clergy who are eager to discuss the impact the North Carolina GOP’s policies have on the common good. As the movement has gained steam, some politicians have resorted to insulting Moral Mondays participants. The governor dismissed it all as an effort led by “outsiders,” and one state legislator dubbed it “Moron Mondays.” It brings to mind Gandhi’s saying, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

Lectionary: Affordable Housing (Proper 8)
Lectionary: Affordable Housing (Proper 8)
Jun 18, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Lectionary: Affordable Housing (Proper 8)

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship

Date: Proper 8 – June 30, 2013
Topic: Affordable Housing
Focus Text: Luke 9:51-62

From the pastoral reflection: “Churches can play a prophetic role and raise ethical questions when the complexities of homelessness and inadequate housing are being examined. When confronted with difficult challenges, first and foremost churches must always affirm the dignity of every human being and the right of every person to a habitat that allows him or her to grow into all God intended.”

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown
Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown
Jun 17, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays Are Home-Grown

“Outside agitators.” The very term reminds those of us of a certain age of the Civil… Continue Reading

Tax Reform: Not So Simple
Tax Reform: Not So Simple
Jun 16, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Reform: Not So Simple

A funny thing happened to House Bill 998, the Tax Simplification and Reduction Act, on its… Continue Reading

Bishop Tonyia Rawls — Why She Chose to Be Arrested at Moral Monday
Bishop Tonyia Rawls — Why She Chose to Be Arrested at Moral Monday
Jun 13, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Bishop Tonyia Rawls — Why She Chose to Be Arrested at Moral Monday

Bishop Tonyia Rawls, a member of the NC Council of Churches Governing Board and founding pastor… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays
Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays
Jun 11, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays

Faith leaders from across the state and from different traditions continue to speak out in support… Continue Reading

Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013
Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013
Jun 7, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Budget and Taxes Move Front and Center: Raleigh Report, June 7, 2013

A brief summary of significant points in the Senate budget with additional commentary by Steve Ford.

Underlying Factors Contributing to Poor Health
Underlying Factors Contributing to Poor Health
Jun 6, 2013
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Underlying Factors Contributing to Poor Health

A person’s health is not only determined by genetics, their level of physical activity or how… Continue Reading

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy
Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy
Jun 1, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy

A group of clergy members is working to mobilize 1,000 of their colleagues to gather at… Continue Reading

A Challenge for People of Faith: Contact Congress like Pentagon Contractors Do
A Challenge for People of Faith: Contact Congress like Pentagon Contractors Do
May 30, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

A Challenge for People of Faith: Contact Congress like Pentagon Contractors Do

The Coalition on Human Needs is sharing sequester impacts and challenging people of faith to raise… Continue Reading

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour
NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour
May 29, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

NC NAACP Launches Statewide Tour

The North Carolina NAACP, building on four weeks of Moral Monday demonstrations, has launched a 25-city… Continue Reading

Senators Choose to Cut
Senators Choose to Cut
May 26, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Senators Choose to Cut

The North Carolina General Assembly has no more critical task than enacting budgets that set state… Continue Reading

Moral Mondays Continue in June
Moral Mondays Continue in June
May 25, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays Continue in June

Moral Mondays continue (though they will take the day off on Memorial Day). This week’s protest… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders for a Just Society in Asheville
Faith Leaders for a Just Society in Asheville
May 16, 2013
Aleta 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

Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20
Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20
May 15, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Moral Mondays – Clergy Issued Special Invitation for May 20

As many of you already know, Rev. William Barber and the state NAACP are organizing weekly… Continue Reading

Agricultural Policy: Legislative Seminar Workshop by Scott Marlow
Agricultural Policy: Legislative Seminar Workshop by Scott Marlow
May 15, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Agricultural Policy: Legislative Seminar Workshop by Scott Marlow

This workshop on agricultural policy, from our 2013 Legislative Seminar on April 11, covers a wide range of topics – from the US Farm Bill to fracking to the meaning of “local” and “sustainable” food. Scott Marlow led the workshop. Scott currently serves as Executive Director of the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI). His specialty is financial infrastructure, including access to credit and risk management for value-added producers. He previously directed RAFI’s Farm Sustainability program, providing in-depth financial counseling to farmers in crisis, education on disaster assistance programs and access to credit, and addressing the needs of mid-scale farmers who are increasing the sustainability of their farms by transitioning to higher-value specialty markets.

Rev. Joe Brown: From the Church House to the State House
Rev. Joe Brown: From the Church House to the State House
May 14, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Rev. Joe Brown: From the Church House to the State House

The Rev. Joseph Brown, Sr. is Presiding Elder, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He is a… Continue Reading

Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013
Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013
May 6, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced: Raleigh Report, May 3, 2013

House Bills Senate Bills Notable Quotes Arizona-like Immigration Bill Introduced In the wake of failed attempts… Continue Reading

New Videos: Legislative Seminar Awards
New Videos: Legislative Seminar Awards
May 3, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

New Videos: Legislative Seminar Awards

A leader against economic injustice and two longtime advocates on the Council’s board have received the North Carolina Council of Churches’ highest honors.

Gene Nichol received the Faith Active in Public Life Award. Barbara Volk and Sydnor Thompson II were recognized with Distinguished Service awards. All three were presented at the Council’s 2013 Legislative Seminar which took place April 11 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh.


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