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Equality & Reconciliation

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, Office Manager

Critical Issues Seminar: Wisdom of Women

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

Be Reconciled
Be Reconciled
Feb 9, 2018
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Be Reconciled

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

The Infection in Our Democracy
The Infection in Our Democracy
Aug 25, 2017
Jennifer 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

Supporting Young Immigrants’ Dreams
Supporting Young Immigrants’ Dreams
Aug 5, 2017
Jennie 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

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

Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All
Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All
Jul 27, 2017
Aleta 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

Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental Injustice
Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental Injustice
Jul 22, 2017
Michelle 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

Great to Meet You at Wild Goose!
Great to Meet You at Wild Goose!
Jul 17, 2017
Aleta 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

America’s Role in Torture — Beginning the Path to Forgiveness
America’s Role in Torture — Beginning the Path to Forgiveness
Jul 9, 2017
Jennifer 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

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

NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40
NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40
Jun 26, 2017
Aleta 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

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

Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now
Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now
Jun 14, 2017
Steve 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

UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly
UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly
Jun 8, 2017
Steve 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

Sanctuary as a Sacred Act
Sanctuary as a Sacred Act
Jun 2, 2017
Jennie 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 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

Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement
Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement
Jun 1, 2017
Susannah 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

The Plank in Your Eye
The Plank in Your Eye
May 27, 2017
Aleta 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

Justice on Gerrymandering
Justice on Gerrymandering
May 22, 2017
Aleta 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

The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond
The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond
May 8, 2017
Susannah 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

When the Good Samaritan is Your Neighbor
When the Good Samaritan is Your Neighbor
Apr 30, 2017
Andrew 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

SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25
SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25
Apr 18, 2017
Jennie 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

No More of This
No More of This
Apr 14, 2017
Jennifer 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

Standing on Our Heads
Standing on Our Heads
Apr 3, 2017
Jennifer 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

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Apr 1, 2017
Steve 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 Order
Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order
Mar 29, 2017
Susannah 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 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

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
Mar 24, 2017
Steve 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

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

Women and Wages
Women and Wages
Mar 8, 2017
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

Video of Webinar: Loving Our Neighbors in a New Administration
Video of Webinar: Loving Our Neighbors in a New Administration
Feb 24, 2017
Jennie 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

Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching Impact
Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching Impact
Feb 17, 2017
Aleta 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 Sanctuary
Answering your Questions about Sanctuary
Feb 16, 2017
Aleta 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, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017
Feb 15, 2017
Aleta 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

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

Refugees Welcomed, Not Banned
Refugees Welcomed, Not Banned
Feb 10, 2017
Jennie 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

Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Feb 1, 2017
Steve 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

Speak Against Vitriol; Stand for Values
Speak Against Vitriol; Stand for Values
Jan 30, 2017
Jennifer 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 Banned
Blessed not Blocked or Banned
Jan 30, 2017
Aleta 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

The Threat is not from Immigrants and Refugees
The Threat is not from Immigrants and Refugees
Jan 28, 2017
Aleta 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 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

Sanctuary, Not Deportation
Sanctuary, Not Deportation
Jan 27, 2017
Jennie 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

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
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

Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference
Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference
Jan 17, 2017
Joy 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

Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan 15, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Excerpts from Dr. King’s remarks delivered on May 14, 1963 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland… 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

Two PHW Regional Coordinators Recognized
Two PHW Regional Coordinators Recognized
Jan 2, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Two PHW Regional Coordinators Recognized

Two of the Partners in Health and Wholeness program’s regional coordinators have been honored recently. Joy… Continue Reading

Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Dec 31, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year

As we watched the egregiously unqualified Donald Trump campaign for and win election to the White… Continue Reading

Advent Guide: First Sunday After Christmas Day, January 1
Advent Guide: First Sunday After Christmas Day, January 1
Dec 30, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Advent Guide: First Sunday After Christmas Day, January 1

Excerpted from How Will We Welcome the Prince of Peace? An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year… 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

UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2
UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2
Dec 20, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Updated December 21, 9:50 p.m. Special Session #5 of the… 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

We Didn’t Know it Was You
We Didn’t Know it Was You
Dec 17, 2016
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We Didn’t Know it Was You

I recently heard the song, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” for the first time in a beautiful… 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

Advent Calendar to Support Immigrants and Refugees
Advent Calendar to Support Immigrants and Refugees
Nov 29, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Advent Calendar to Support Immigrants and Refugees

Today when I logged onto Facebook, among all the heartbreaking news in our world (some from credible sources,… Continue Reading

Becoming the Church Together and Including Youth
Becoming the Church Together and Including Youth
Nov 25, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Becoming the Church Together and Including Youth

Earlier this month, the North Carolina Conference hosted its annual Pilgrimage event, a time when several… Continue Reading

Be Thankful for Immigrants and Indigenous People
Be Thankful for Immigrants and Indigenous People
Nov 23, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Be Thankful for Immigrants and Indigenous People

Almost 400 years ago, in what is now Massachusetts, a group of newly arrived immigrants from… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders: Add Your Name to Speak Love
Faith Leaders: Add Your Name to Speak Love
Nov 20, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Leaders: Add Your Name to Speak Love

On the weekend of December 2-4, the Council has called on NC faith leaders to shape… Continue Reading

December 2-4: Preach Love
December 2-4: Preach Love
Nov 14, 2016
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

December 2-4: Preach Love

The North Carolina Council of Churches is calling on people of faith and leaders of the… 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

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
Oct 27, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8… Continue Reading

Sore Afraid
Sore Afraid
Sep 23, 2016
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Sore Afraid

We are “sore afraid.” But not like the shepherds in the hills around Bethlehem on the… Continue Reading

Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short
Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short
Sep 19, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short

Who can blame North Carolina’s restaurant and hotel operators for wishing the whole House Bill 2… Continue Reading

Bad Law vs. Big Games
Bad Law vs. Big Games
Sep 17, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Bad Law vs. Big Games

When ultra-visible organizations with major economic leverage press for political change, sometimes the right thing to… Continue Reading

Inclusive Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building
Inclusive Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building
Sep 16, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Inclusive Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building

The impacts of climate variability and change affect everyone, but they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations with… Continue Reading

Election Maps Under Scrutiny
Election Maps Under Scrutiny
Aug 12, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Maps Under Scrutiny

The Republican Party developed a national strategy to seize and hold legislative power, and in North… Continue Reading

Changing the View
Changing the View
Aug 11, 2016
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

Governor in the Glare
Governor in the Glare
Jul 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Governor in the Glare

There was a time, back in the range of 2008, when Pat McCrory looked as though… Continue Reading

Stand with Refugees on World Refugee Day
Stand with Refugees on World Refugee Day
Jun 20, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Stand with Refugees on World Refugee Day

Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day, a day when people all over the world celebrate the… Continue Reading

Unity in Action against Islamophobia in the Wake of the Orlando Murders
Unity in Action against Islamophobia in the Wake of the Orlando Murders
Jun 18, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Unity in Action against Islamophobia in the Wake of the Orlando Murders

By Fady Hanna, Duke Divinity School Intern The tragic mass murder in Orlando this past weekend… Continue Reading

Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance
Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance
Jun 17, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance

Let’s face it. We, that would be all of us who proudly claim the title of… Continue Reading

Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions
Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions
May 26, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions

At the beginning of 2016, ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) stepped up deportations of undocumented Central… 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

Video: Sermon by T. Anthony Spearman at the Critical Issues Seminar
Video: Sermon by T. Anthony Spearman at the Critical Issues Seminar
May 5, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Video: Sermon by T. Anthony Spearman at the Critical Issues Seminar

The Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman delivered the sermon during worship at the Council’s 2016 Critical… Continue Reading

Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions
Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions
May 2, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Webinar: A Faithful Response to ICE Raids and Detentions

Tuesday, May 17 Noon At the beginning of 2016, ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) stepped up… 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

Christian Ethics and HB2: Gushee, Spearman, and Meyer to Speak
Christian Ethics and HB2: Gushee, Spearman, and Meyer to Speak
Apr 9, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Christian Ethics and HB2: Gushee, Spearman, and Meyer to Speak

The Council is joining EqualityNC and the Equality Federation to bring noted Christian ethicist David Gushee to… 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

Hurtful Law Sends Signals
Hurtful Law Sends Signals
Apr 1, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Hurtful Law Sends Signals

Yes, it was a pretty neat trick — one bill that manages to expose many vulnerable… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday
Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday
Mar 26, 2016
Ashley Yohman, Program Associate for Finance and Development

Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Good Friday
Lenten Guide — Good Friday
Mar 24, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Lenten Guide — Good Friday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Making Discrimination Easier in NC
Making Discrimination Easier in NC
Mar 24, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Making Discrimination Easier in NC

Almost 24 years ago, leaders of the North Carolina Council of Churches approved a policy statement… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Fourth Sunday
Lenten Guide — Fourth Sunday
Mar 5, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Lenten Guide — Fourth Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

The Path Toward Energy Justice: Creating a Climate for Change
The Path Toward Energy Justice: Creating a Climate for Change
Mar 4, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

The Path Toward Energy Justice: Creating a Climate for Change

Infographic by Tracy Loeffelholz Dunn / The Nation. Shutterstock images from Lorelyn Medina, Agusto Cabral The… Continue Reading

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Feb 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo

After a five-year exercise in seeking to put a lasting stamp on North Carolina government and… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Third Sunday
Lenten Guide — Third Sunday
Feb 27, 2016
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Lenten Guide — Third Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Second Sunday
Lenten Guide — Second Sunday
Feb 20, 2016
Chris Pernell, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Lenten Guide — Second Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — First Sunday
Lenten Guide — First Sunday
Feb 13, 2016
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Lenten Guide — First Sunday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday
Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday
Feb 10, 2016
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power,… Continue Reading

Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders
Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders
Feb 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders

With an eye toward the battles over redistricting that have roiled North Carolina politics for the… 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

Lenten Guide Available — Love One Another
Lenten Guide Available — Love One Another
Feb 7, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Lenten Guide Available — Love One Another

When we set out to prepare this year’s Lenten guide, the contributors were told they could… 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

Prayer Vigil and Dinner: Remembering our Time Together
Prayer Vigil and Dinner: Remembering our Time Together
Dec 18, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Prayer Vigil and Dinner: Remembering our Time Together

Earlier this month, more than 170 friends and allies gathered at Durham’s St. Philip’s Episcopal Church… Continue Reading

Paris Agreement a Breakthrough for Creation Care
Paris Agreement a Breakthrough for Creation Care
Dec 17, 2015
Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director

Paris Agreement a Breakthrough for Creation Care

The world has witnessed a breakthrough with the release of the proposed final text of the… Continue Reading

Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Dec 14, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster

In the game of bridge, when a trump card is played to win a trick, that’s… Continue Reading

Eighty-Day Voter Registration Drive Kicks Off
Eighty-Day Voter Registration Drive Kicks Off
Dec 1, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Eighty-Day Voter Registration Drive Kicks Off

The following are remarks offered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference announcing a… Continue Reading

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
Oct 3, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run… Continue Reading

Clergy Breakfasts​ Come at a Crucial Time
Clergy Breakfasts​ Come at a Crucial Time
Sep 27, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Clergy Breakfasts​ Come at a Crucial Time

Pope Francis has been an outspoken leader about the need to welcome immigrants and refugees in… Continue Reading

Bombing Survivor, Priest, and Community Healer Fr. Michael Lapsley Visits NC
Bombing Survivor, Priest, and Community Healer Fr. Michael Lapsley Visits NC
Aug 31, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Bombing Survivor, Priest, and Community Healer Fr. Michael Lapsley Visits NC

The Rev. Michael Lapsley, survivor of a bombing by South African apartheid agents, will visit North… Continue Reading

Week of Action to End Immigration Detention Quotas
Week of Action to End Immigration Detention Quotas
Aug 7, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Week of Action to End Immigration Detention Quotas

Next week, the American Friends Service Committee is coordinating a national week of action to end… Continue Reading

Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light
Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light
Jun 29, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light

Over and over, we heard North Carolina’s stringent voter identification law, enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature… Continue Reading

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Same-Gender Marriage Decision
Statement on the Supreme Court’s Same-Gender Marriage Decision
Jun 26, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Same-Gender Marriage Decision

We celebrate today’s Supreme Court ruling with our gay brothers and sisters who wish to marry… Continue Reading

Standin’ in the Need of Prayer
Standin’ in the Need of Prayer
Jun 25, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Standin’ in the Need of Prayer

Raleigh’s Martin Street Baptist Church (historically African-American) and Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (historically white) have a… 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

Undocugraduation: Hope to Replace Fear
Undocugraduation: Hope to Replace Fear
Jun 23, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Undocugraduation: Hope to Replace Fear

By Wayde Marsh, Duke Divinity School Intern On my way to work one day last week,… Continue Reading

Racism and Islamophobia — Local and Global
Racism and Islamophobia — Local and Global
Jun 19, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Racism and Islamophobia — Local and Global

By Wayde Marsh, Duke Divinity School Intern “Islamophobia doesn’t just affect Muslims, it affects a broad… Continue Reading

Statement on the Shootings in Charleston
Statement on the Shootings in Charleston
Jun 18, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Statement on the Shootings in Charleston

With people across the world, the North Carolina Council of Churches grieves with the congregation of… Continue Reading

Refugees Find Hope in Meeting With Each Other
Refugees Find Hope in Meeting With Each Other
Jun 17, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Refugees Find Hope in Meeting With Each Other

By Wayde Marsh, Duke Divinity School Intern Storytelling is a central piece of community organizing because… Continue Reading

Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law
Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law
Jun 14, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law

Gov. Pat McCrory tried to warn his fellow Republicans who call the tunes in the General… Continue Reading

Come to the Table Conference Feeds the Soul
Come to the Table Conference Feeds the Soul
Jun 4, 2015
Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Come to the Table Conference Feeds the Soul

“It’s like a mini-family reunion” said one participant about the Come to the Table Conference that… Continue Reading

Nepal and Baltimore
Nepal and Baltimore
Apr 29, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Nepal and Baltimore

Faced with darkness at home and abroad, may we do what we can to bring peace… Continue Reading

High Court’s Double-Take on Districts
High Court’s Double-Take on Districts
Apr 23, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

High Court’s Double-Take on Districts

There’s certainly no guarantee that the U.S. Supreme Court, in sending North Carolina’s election district scheme… Continue Reading

Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?
Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?
Apr 2, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?

Discussions in recent days of so-called religious freedom bills in Indiana, Arkansas, and now North Carolina… Continue Reading

North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar
North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar
Apr 2, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar

“Racial gerrymandering strikes at the heart of our demo­cratic process, undermining the electorate’s confidence in its… 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

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

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

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

Join us for HKonJ 2015
Join us for HKonJ 2015
Feb 9, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join us for HKonJ 2015

In these challenging days in North Carolina, there is nothing more important for people of faith… 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

District Lines Entangle Race, Politics
District Lines Entangle Race, Politics
Jan 6, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

District Lines Entangle Race, Politics

The Republicans who rule North Carolina’s General Assembly start the new year riding tall in the… Continue Reading

Obama Unveils Immigration Plan: “We Were Strangers Once, Too”
Obama Unveils Immigration Plan: “We Were Strangers Once, Too”
Nov 21, 2014
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Obama Unveils Immigration Plan: “We Were Strangers Once, Too”

Yesterday, President Obama took a courageous and controversial step toward reforming our country’s immigration system. He announced… 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

Petition to Expand Medicaid in NC — Signers Welcome
Petition to Expand Medicaid in NC — Signers Welcome
Oct 9, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Petition to Expand Medicaid in NC — Signers Welcome

Health Care for All NC is continuing the important work for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.… Continue Reading

Judges Ponder Rules to Vote By
Judges Ponder Rules to Vote By
Sep 24, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Judges Ponder Rules to Vote By

North Carolina’s upcoming general election – Election Day is Nov. 4 – will be the first… 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

From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities
From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities
Aug 22, 2014
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

From Broken Communities to Beloved Communities

The recent trial of Alamance County Sheriff Andrew Johnson has focused on alleged profiling abuses against… 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

PHW Honors Helen Livingston
PHW Honors Helen Livingston
Aug 13, 2014
Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

PHW Honors Helen Livingston

Meet one of our community leaders, Helen Livingston, of Scotland County. I first met Helen through 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

Celebrating Our Shared History & Continued Prosperity
Celebrating Our Shared History & Continued Prosperity
Jul 4, 2014
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Celebrating Our Shared History & Continued Prosperity

As we head into a long Independence Day weekend, most Americans are anticipating a Friday off… Continue Reading

Cy King’s Noble Example
Cy King’s Noble Example
Jul 3, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Cy King’s Noble Example

Cyrus Baldwin King, a gentle spirit with an iron resolve, was a hero of North Carolina’s… 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

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

April is National Minority Health Month
April is National Minority Health Month
Apr 9, 2014
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

April is National Minority Health Month

Differences in health currently exist between minorities and non-Hispanic whites in the U.S., with people of… 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

Worship Resources on Immigration
Worship Resources on Immigration
Mar 31, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on Immigration

Date: Easter 3 – May 4, 2014
Topic: Immigration
Focus Text: Luke 24:13-35
The story of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, unique to Luke’s Gospel, is central to the evangelist’s message about the resurrection of Jesus and its meaning. It is one of the more unusual stories we hear about encountering Jesus, but it is Luke’s way of conveying that the surprising and the unexpected are to be found in the wake of Jesus’ resurrection. One of the most surprising things, at least for those disciples within the story, is that the stranger they meet on the road turns out to be the risen Christ. At every turn this story is about revealing and discovering Jesus—through scripture, through the breaking of bread, and even through encountering a stranger on the road.

Worship Resources on Awareness of Those with Disabilities
Worship Resources on Awareness of Those with Disabilities
Mar 6, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on Awareness of Those with Disabilities

Date: 4th Sunday in Lent – March 30, 2014
Topic: Awareness of Those with Disabilities
Focus Text: John 9:1-41
Jesus’ concrete actions in response to the man’s situation call into question not only the self-righteous judgment of the religious leaders, but also the comfortable distance maintained by the disciples. When they encounter this man in the city, they see it as an opportunity for theological reflection. But Jesus changes the nature of the conversation altogether. The disciples want to speculate; Jesus decides to act – to welcome the man as a person and a child of God, to offer those unique gifts that he has been given to heal the man’s suffering, that the glory of God might be revealed.

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

Two Churches Talk About Race
Two Churches Talk About Race
Feb 26, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Two Churches Talk About Race

A newcomer to Raleigh sooner or later comes up against a riddle: How can the city… 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

Worship Resources on the Beatitudes
Worship Resources on the Beatitudes
Jan 8, 2014
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on the Beatitudes

Date: Epiphany 4 – Feb. 2, 2014
Topic: The Beatitudes
Focus Text: Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes reflect the eschatological – or ultimate – nature of Jesus’ mission and proclaim the effects of the establishment of God’s rule. They list eschatological reversals for the unfortunate and eschatological rewards for the virtuous. It would be a mistake, however, to see the beatitudes as having only future significance. In fact, the first (5:3) and last (5:10) of the sayings are in the present tense. By bookending these future promises with the present tense, Matthew emphasizes the imminence of the Kingdom.

Worship Resources on Racism & Reconciliation
Worship Resources on Racism & Reconciliation
Dec 19, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources on Racism & Reconciliation

Date: Baptism of the Lord – Jan. 12, 2014
Topic: Racism & Reconciliation
Focus Text: Acts 10:34-43
This joining and reconciliation of people, Jews and gentiles, but also strangers and enemies of all kinds, has already begun with the work of Christ. In Christ, God invites us on the journey of reconciliation, the same journey of the church in Acts: a journey that includes the hard work of speaking someone else’s language (Pentecost), sharing food, resources, money, and space (Acts 2), transgressing social divides (Acts 10), dismantling discrimination (Acts 6:1-6), forming new intimacy and identity (Acts 11:19-26), and speaking out against injustice (Gal. 2:11-14).

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.

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.

Worship Resources Celebrating Native American Spirituality
Worship Resources Celebrating Native American Spirituality
Sep 20, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Worship Resources Celebrating Native American Spirituality

Date: Proper 25 – Oct. 27, 2013
Topic: Celebrating Native American Spirituality
Focus Text: Joel 2:23-32
Is a better day coming for Lumbee Native Americans in North Carolina? Being an optimist, I believe that God’s words, “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh” (v.28), will become a reality in the last days. “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh” are encouraging words. These prophetic words speak of God sending help for my people, Native Americans in North Carolina. Help is a word meaning “aid,” “save,” and “relieve.”

Back to School Amid Tight Times
Back to School Amid Tight Times
Aug 28, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Back to School Amid Tight Times

Of the many public policies North Carolina has followed across the decades, none has brought greater… Continue Reading

Disturbing the Peace
Disturbing the Peace
Aug 27, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Disturbing the Peace

Rev. Cody Sanders, Ph.D. candidate in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling at Brite Divinity School

There is something in these furious, feverish words that beckons beyond a simple description of what life will be like if you choose to follow a peculiar call from Jesus and your closest friends and family don’t. Beyond description, there is something of a call in this passage trying to work its way inside of us. These words beckon us beyond a recounting of our inevitable losses on the journey, to embrace our sacred calling to disturbers the peace.

Elections bill: Return to senders
Elections bill: Return to senders
Aug 12, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Elections bill: Return to senders

Gov. Pat McCrory has said he’ll soon dispose of the 30 or so bills remaining on… 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

Short Rations for Schools
Short Rations for Schools
Aug 1, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Short Rations for Schools

The teachers were upset. And with North Carolina now embarked on a program of aggressive backsliding… Continue Reading

Lines in the Wind
Lines in the Wind
Jul 12, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Lines in the Wind

North Carolina Republican legislators seem to be a little conflicted when it comes to their opinion… Continue Reading

UCC Divests from Fossil Fuels
UCC Divests from Fossil Fuels
Jul 6, 2013
Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

UCC Divests from Fossil Fuels

As a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ (UCC), I feel so proud of… Continue Reading

Closer to Voter ID
Closer to Voter ID
Jun 27, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Closer to Voter ID

North Carolina Republican leaders who were waiting for a signal from the U.S. Supreme Court 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

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

Racial Justice Revisited
Racial Justice Revisited
May 31, 2013
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Racial Justice Revisited

The death penalty is troubling on many levels. Among them: The public must bear the extraordinary… 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

Childhood Poverty is a Disease
Childhood Poverty is a Disease
May 16, 2013
Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Childhood Poverty is a Disease

Pediatrician and author Perri Klass has written a powerful essay on childhood poverty as a disease.… 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

Lectionary: Gender Equality (Proper 6)
Lectionary: Gender Equality (Proper 6)
May 15, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Lectionary: Gender Equality (Proper 6)

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship

Date: Proper 6 – June 16, 2013
Topic: Gender Equality
Focus Text: Luke 7:36-8:3

From the pastoral reflection: “When I applied to divinity school thirty years ago, I was asked by my interviewer, “Why don’t you just be a good church member and serve the church that way?” That is, I was being advised to continue the traditional role of being a supportive woman to the men doing the “real work” of ministry. Ignoring that advice, I enrolled, and when I graduated and sought a call to ministry, the response was, “We don’t think our congregation is ready for a woman minister.”

NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate
NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate
Apr 23, 2013
Sandy 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

Execution Foes at Legislature
Execution Foes at Legislature
Apr 9, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Execution Foes at Legislature

A misguided push in the General Assembly to get capital punishment back on track is generating… Continue Reading

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation
U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation
Apr 2, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation

Next week, the United States Senate is expected to take up legislation intended to curb gun… Continue Reading

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 4 (Honoring Neighbors)
PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 4 (Honoring Neighbors)
Mar 14, 2013
Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 4 (Honoring Neighbors)

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up… Continue Reading

Resources for Voting Rights Sunday
Resources for Voting Rights Sunday
Mar 12, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Resources for Voting Rights Sunday

As you probably know, the Voting Rights Act is being challenged in the US Supreme Court,… Continue Reading

Bulletin Insert from PFADP
Bulletin Insert from PFADP
Feb 21, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches… Continue Reading

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar
Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar
Feb 18, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at… Continue Reading

Preparing the Way for Lent: Introduction
Preparing the Way for Lent: Introduction
Feb 7, 2013
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Preparing the Way for Lent: Introduction

From the Introduction of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this… Continue Reading

What’s Wrong with Photo ID?
What’s Wrong with Photo ID?
Jan 31, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

What’s Wrong with Photo ID?

One of the most insidious proposals coming up in the General Assembly session is the one… Continue Reading

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4
Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4
Jan 28, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4

Gun violence has long been an issue of concern for the North Carolina Council of Churches.… Continue Reading

Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates
Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates
Jan 25, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates

You probably already know that the General Assembly goes into session on Wednesday, January 30. They’ve… Continue Reading

Lectionary on Gun Violence
Lectionary on Gun Violence
Dec 15, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Lectionary on Gun Violence

The horror of what has occurred in Connecticut is unimaginable, and the days ahead will be… Continue Reading

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP
2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP
Dec 7, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North… Continue Reading

The Passing of Carolyn King
The Passing of Carolyn King
Oct 4, 2012
George Reed, Former Executive Director

The Passing of Carolyn King

  Our friend Carolyn King passed on Tuesday evening after a long “medical adventure” (to use… Continue Reading


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NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Featured Resource

From the Lectionary
Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths
March 10, 2019 · 2 Corinthiaans 5:16-21

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Rob Schofield of @NCPolicyWatch will be leading a workshop at our entitled Power Struggles, the Sequel. He'll review legislative efforts to curb the governor’s powers. Are those efforts continuing, and what do they involve? More info: ncchurches.org/2019s… #ncpol @ncjustice pic.twitter.com/HvNg…

About 2 days ago

Excited to have The Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of @NRCATtweets join us on March 9 to discuss strategies for ending CIA torture. Lunch and childcare are free if you register by March 6. More info: ncchurches.org/event… #ncpol pic.twitter.com/8JYm…

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There is still time to join us in Charlotte on March 12 and 13 for the Come to the Table Conference. The deadline to register has been extended to February 25. Many of our Council staff will be presenting workshops so we hope to see you there! rafiusa.org/cttt/201… pic.twitter.com/kDzF…

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RT @healthandfaith Join us NEXT TUESDAY, February 27, for Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Day. We'll join together with fellow North Carolinians to tell our lawmakers it's time to #CloseTheGapNC Register today: docs.google.com/form… @nchealthaccess pic.twitter.com/7D5D…

About 5 days ago

Excited to have The Rev. Ron Steif, executive director of @NRCATtweets join us in just a couple of weeks (March 9). He'll share with us ways the faith community can help bring an end to CIA torture. Space is limited so register today! ncchurches.org/event… pic.twitter.com/uapr…

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What an awesome program! Thanks @CISChatham for teaching our youth how to eat healthy on a budget. #health #nc twitter.com/CISChath…

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Our PHW Collaborative Application is now live! Read more at the link about how your faith community can partner with us to promote health & wholeness in NC. #health #faith #NC ncchurches.org/progr… pic.twitter.com/Fr83…

About 3 days ago

Now more than ever we must show our support for Medicaid expansion. Check out our Advocacy Toolkit on writing an op-ed to your local paper to make your voice heard! #CloseTheGapNC #ncga #ncpol #health #faith ncchurches.org/take-…

About 4 days ago

Our apologies: *Wednesday* Feb. 27! twitter.com/healthan…

About 4 days ago

Join us NEXT TUESDAY, February 27, for Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Day. We'll join together with fellow North Carolinians to tell our lawmakers it's time to #CloseTheGapNC Register today: docs.google.com/form… @nchealthaccess pic.twitter.com/7D5D…

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RT @UNCCE3 CE3 Director Jonas Monast is speaking in Fort Worth, Texas, at @TAMULawSchool's Energy Law Symposium on tomorrow's panel, "Between Markets and Regulation –Electricity Governance in Transition." law.tamu.edu/faculty… pic.twitter.com/RkcJ…

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RT @NCCoastalFed Three #OBX local govt officials to ⁦@SenThomTillis - protect our coast and our economy & oppose #offshore #oil drilling in #NC #ncpol #ncga ⁦@ThomTillis⁩ newsobserver.com/opi…

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RT @Michael_S_Regan “People affected by GenX & PFAS pollution in the Cape Fear River deserve real relief, and this order provides that relief ... We listened to the comments from the community, leaders, public utilities & established a strong path forward to protect #waterquality & public health.” twitter.com/wectnews…

About 2 days ago

RT @ncchurches There is still time to join us in Charlotte on March 12 and 13 for the Come to the Table Conference. The deadline to register has been extended to February 25. Many of our Council staff will be presenting workshops so we hope to see you there! rafiusa.org/cttt/201… pic.twitter.com/kDzF…

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No matter what type of barrier, border communities are opposed! We need to #RevitalizeNotMilitarize our border region. Congress—do not give Trump any more money for ICE, CBP, or a border wall! CALL to #DefundHate: (202) 224-3121 pic.twitter.com/xBVM…

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Let's @SupportFLOC in the upcoming #BoycottVUSE against Reynolds American Inc. and defend our tobacco farmworkers so that they may have a voice to negotiate better working conditions without fear of retaliation! floc.com/wordpress/b…

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