Politicians’ fear: Too many votesMarch 24Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Politicians’ fear: Too many votes With Republican lawmakers throughout the land making “election integrity” a favorite cause and rallying cry, it… Continue Reading
‘For the People’ – or for whom?March 11Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate ‘For the People’ – or for whom? When an ambitious bill designated as H.R. 1 was approved by the newly empowered Democratic majority… Continue Reading
Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’Dec 10, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’ As Americans soldier on amidst their ill-fated 2020 stress test, there is inspiration to be found.… Continue Reading
Raise the WageNov 23, 2020The 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
Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C.Nov 12, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C. North Carolinians who stood against our soon-to-be ex-president’s rancid politics of grievance, contempt and division, fueled… Continue Reading
Election Machinery in High GearOct 22, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Election Machinery in High Gear With North Carolinians on track to cast eye-popping numbers of votes in advance of Election Day,… Continue Reading
The Virus and the VulnerableJul 31, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate The Virus and the Vulnerable The image of a perfect storm conveys a rueful irony – the storm whose components are… Continue Reading
On Not Going to ChurchMay 19, 2020North Carolina Council of Churches On Not Going to Church In light of recent protests and rallies from some pastors and politicians in North Carolina calling… Continue Reading
Statement on Staying HomeApr 24, 2020North Carolina Council of Churches Statement on Staying Home Approved by the Executive Committee of the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council on April… Continue Reading
In search of voting’s ‘new normal’Apr 22, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate In search of voting’s ‘new normal’ When and if members of the N.C. General Assembly reconvene as scheduled on April 28 –… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter IDJan 7, 2020Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter ID A long road remains to be traveled before North Carolinians find out whether they’ll have to… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent SamDec 13, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent Sam When leaders of the N.C. Council of Churches two years ago adopted a policy statement entitled… Continue Reading
Gun Violence Prevention: The Work Goes OnNov 18, 2019The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Gun Violence Prevention: The Work Goes On The North Carolina Council of Churches has long cared about gun violence prevention — you would… Continue Reading
Gerrymanderers Seeing the Light, or Scared Straight?Oct 25, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Gerrymanderers Seeing the Light, or Scared Straight? Perhaps the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly have finally gotten the message: their decade-long… Continue Reading
Ambush at Override GulchSep 13, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Ambush at Override Gulch When N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore called the House to order for its scheduled 8:30 a.m.… Continue Reading
Path to Fairer Maps, Better GovernmentSep 6, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Path to Fairer Maps, Better Government If politics can be described as a contact sport, it’s perhaps fitting to say that when… Continue Reading
Guns, Medicaid, GridlockAug 12, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the… Continue Reading
No More WarJul 8, 2019North Carolina Council of Churches No More War Written by Vivian Taylor, Public Policy Intern with Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director The United States of… Continue Reading
Let Justice Roll: Sustain the VetoJul 2, 2019The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Let Justice Roll: Sustain the Veto Thus says the Lord:For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the… Continue Reading
No Medicaid Expansion? Just say no!Jun 27, 2019Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate No Medicaid Expansion? Just say no! Not to belabor the obvious, but when North Carolina’s elected leaders craft a spending plan for… Continue Reading
Staying Sane: Gun Laws that WorkJun 17, 2019The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Staying Sane: Gun Laws that Work The Mother Emanuel, Charleston, SC, shooting was four years ago today, June 17. The N.C. General… Continue Reading
North Carolina, Gethsemane and TortureApr 30, 2019The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director North Carolina, Gethsemane and Torture The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference introducing House… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019Apr 29, 2019George 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
Workers’ MemorialApr 26, 2019The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Workers’ Memorial Remarks delivered by the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches,… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019Apr 22, 2019George 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 11, 2019Apr 11, 2019George Reed, Former Executive Director Raleigh Report – April 11, 2019 INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 587 – Repeal Death Penalty would abolish the death penalty, and… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019Apr 5, 2019George 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 25, 2019Mar 25, 2019George Reed, Former Executive Director Raleigh Report – March 25, 2019 INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 422/SB 234 – Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Days is similar… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019Mar 11, 2019George 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, 2019Feb 26, 2019George 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
Council Calls for Redistricting ReformDec 20, 2018North Carolina Council of Churches Council Calls for Redistricting Reform At its most recent meeting the Council Governing Board unanimously endorsed Fair Districts NC’s Five Principles… Continue Reading
Elections Oversight: No Place for SecrecyDec 18, 2018Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Elections Oversight: No Place for Secrecy Update: After this article was written, Gov. Cooper did veto House Bill 1029, as he was urged… Continue Reading
Vetting the VoteSep 13, 2018The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Vetting the Vote Most people pay attention during presidential election cycles and many of them come out to vote.… Continue Reading
Improving the State of North CarolinaJul 3, 2018Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Improving the State of North Carolina “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees”~Isaiah 10:1 The North Carolina… Continue Reading
Governor Faces a SqueezeJun 28, 2018Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Governor Faces a Squeeze Depending on the context, it could be called poor sportsmanship. Or bullying. Or a flouting of… Continue Reading
A Prayer for the North Carolina General AssemblyMay 22, 2018Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations A Prayer for the North Carolina General Assembly This morning marked a historic day as the Council hosted their first legislative prayer breakfast at… Continue Reading
On the Hot Seat, Where She BelongsMar 19, 2018Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs Ordinary Americans – those of us not allowed to know the secrets of high-level espionage work… Continue Reading
Words Make a WorldJan 13, 2018The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Words Make a World The words we hear form what we think. The words we say form what we do.… Continue Reading
Democracy Under the Reign of GodNov 1, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Democracy Under the Reign of God As I continue to follow court cases addressing Gerrymandering at both the federal level (Gill v.… Continue Reading
Defenders of Rights; Defenders of PrivilegeSep 30, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege At many levels, Americans are confronting issues of race relations and racial justice with an intensity… Continue Reading
The Affordable Care Act TodaySep 22, 2017Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness The Affordable Care Act Today The Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to be one of the most divisive laws passed in… Continue Reading
Regaining our Faith in DemocracySep 11, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Regaining our Faith in Democracy In surveys conducted during the months leading up to the 2016 election, large numbers of Americans… Continue Reading
Blessed Are the DreamersSep 7, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Blessed Are the Dreamers This week, the Trump administration announced it will end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an… Continue Reading
Marching Orders for New MapsAug 10, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Marching Orders for New Maps The three federal judges could have just come right out and said it: The Republicans who… Continue Reading
Supporting Young Immigrants’ DreamsAug 5, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Supporting Young Immigrants’ Dreams Five years ago, President Obama created the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program to enable… Continue Reading
Rights Advocacy At RiskAug 3, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Rights Advocacy At Risk The optics, as they say, are terrible. But in a state whose motto is “To Be… Continue Reading
Police Brutality is not a Joking MatterAug 3, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Police Brutality is not a Joking Matter By Andrew Hudgins, NCCC Program Associate for Operations, for The Resistance Prays News: In a speech… Continue Reading
Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health CareJul 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Thankful and Ever Vigilant When it Comes to Health Care We find ourselves in a better place than we might have been when it comes to… Continue Reading
Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, AgainJul 27, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, Again Better get used to it. The N.C. General Assembly, after an all-too-brief adjournment during July, is… Continue Reading
Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us AllJul 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All Wednesday’s federal-policy-by-tweet announcement that children of God who are transgender could no longer serve in the… Continue Reading
What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health CareJul 25, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director What the Senate’s Motion to Proceed Vote Means for Health Care The U.S. Senate’s vote this afternoon moves the debate forward to potentially repeal and replace the… Continue Reading
July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely TodayJul 25, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director July 25 Update — Senate Health Care Vote Appears Likely Today It appears that the U.S. Senate will vote today on some sort of health care action.… Continue Reading
Gov. Cooper Speaks Up for Protecting NC’s CoastJul 24, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Gov. Cooper Speaks Up for Protecting NC’s Coast Governor Roy Cooper has announced his strong opposition to offshore drilling and seismic blasting along North… Continue Reading
Honor Workers with a Labor Day SabbathJul 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Honor Workers with a Labor Day Sabbath The Council is partnering with Raise the Wage NC to encourage faith communities to hold a… Continue Reading
Wood Pellet Plant Would Be Environmental InjusticeJul 22, 2017Michelle Peedin, Program 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
Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep CallingJul 21, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep Calling No one seems completely clear on whether the Senate will vote next week on health care… Continue Reading
Wages of WarJul 20, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Wages of War Wartime profits are a thing — from the people who make the machines we use to… Continue Reading
Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating EffectsJul 14, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects Yesterday, the Senate unveiled a revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. According to a… Continue Reading
America’s Role in Torture — Beginning the Path to ForgivenessJul 9, 2017The Rev. Dr. 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
Healing MiraclesJul 7, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Healing Miracles Just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.… Continue Reading
More Wind Energy, Not LessJul 3, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director More Wind Energy, Not Less It is becoming a national trend for politicians to “divide and conquer” by attacking the wind industry… Continue Reading
Rising Up with Richmond CountyJul 1, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Rising Up with Richmond County “Biomass” may sound like a clean idea, but it actually means cutting down and turning trees… Continue Reading
Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget FlawsJun 30, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws Presented with a new state budget that, whatever its occasional virtues, is mainly about easing tax… Continue Reading
With Prescription Medication, Verify Before You BuyJun 29, 2017Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness With Prescription Medication, Verify Before You Buy Would you be Surprised to know 97 percent of online pharmacies are illegitimate? The North Carolina… Continue Reading
Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential HarmJun 27, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Health Care CBO Score Proves Potential Harm Late yesterday afternoon the Congressional Budget Office released their score of the Senate’s proposed health care… Continue Reading
Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More SoJun 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So Members of the United States Senate have released their proposed health care plan, all 142 pages… Continue Reading
New Budget with Old Agenda Falls ShortJun 22, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican… Continue Reading
Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep CallingJun 21, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling As the Senate continues its secret deliberations on a health care plan that will effect all… Continue Reading
Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in DayJun 14, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress… Continue Reading
GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not HelpfulJun 12, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful The General Assembly leaders meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the… Continue Reading
UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts FairlyJun 8, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly UPDATE In separate, party-line votes on June 8, the state House and Senate rejected Gov. Cooper’s… Continue Reading
Rolling WatersJun 2, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations Rolling Waters A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I headed north for my sister’s graduation. Being… Continue Reading
Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate MovementJun 1, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement We were already living in a time of profound consequence. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the… Continue Reading
Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2Jun 1, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2 Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that… Continue Reading
Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on GunsMay 30, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would… Continue Reading
Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting MapMay 25, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map Following the elections of 2010 – tilted as they were by an intense right-wing pushback against… Continue Reading
Heal the SickMay 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Heal the Sick For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health… Continue Reading
2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our CallMay 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House.… Continue Reading
Justice on GerrymanderingMay 22, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Justice on Gerrymandering Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court affirms what many in North Carolina knew – the… Continue Reading
Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling CoreMay 19, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide… Continue Reading
2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18May 15, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director 2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18 About this time two years ago, I accepted the offer to become the next Executive Director… Continue Reading
Special Interest Altar CallsMay 11, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Special Interest Altar Calls By now, most of us have read “Dark Money” or heard enough about the subject it… Continue Reading
The People’s Climate March — Called to RespondMay 8, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond Multi-faith pilgrims on a moral high road unified to honor God’s creation at the Peoples Climate… Continue Reading
House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than ThisMay 4, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than This The passage of the American Health Care Act by the House of Representatives reflects a political… Continue Reading
Retiring Judge Stands TallApr 27, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Retiring Judge Stands Tall As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to… Continue Reading
Guns on Campus Are a Bad IdeaApr 25, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients… Continue Reading
Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in CongressApr 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in Congress The public is opposed to efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act, but some members of… Continue Reading
Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile JusticeApr 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place… Continue Reading
Science Must Matter to People of FaithApr 22, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Science Must Matter to People of Faith Crowds are gathered on this Earth Day in Washington, D.C. and in cities across the country… Continue Reading
Tax-Cut Fever Threatens ServicesApr 22, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services How many times do we have to say it? Well, it’s worth repeating – especially in… Continue Reading
SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25Apr 18, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25 Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly discussed SB 145, an… Continue Reading
No More of ThisApr 14, 2017The Rev. Dr. 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
Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’Apr 8, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’ Our national politics are in an ugly place, driven by an accelerating cycle of suspicion, accusation,… Continue Reading
Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not FinishedApr 6, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference… Continue Reading
Let NC Legislators Know You Care about CreationApr 6, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Let NC Legislators Know You Care about Creation NC Interfaith Power and Light’s lay and faith leader network is at the General Assembly on… Continue Reading
Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’Apr 1, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’ Call it a head-on collision between politics and principle. Is anyone surprised that politics prevailed? Yet… Continue Reading
Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive OrderMar 29, 2017Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation OnlineMar 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online For those who could not be with us at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh,… Continue Reading
Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of WorshipMar 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of Worship Our friends at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence have issued the alert below. Please note that… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017Mar 26, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION H 356, Tax Reduction… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In InstructionsMar 24, 2017Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations 2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions Thank you to those who have registered for the 2017 Legislative Seminar. We are looking forward… Continue Reading
UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s VoteMar 24, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director UPDATE: Trumpcare Just Got Worse — Call Before Today’s Vote Thank you for every call, email, and letter to Congressional leaders that led to today’s decision… Continue Reading
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!Mar 24, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate GOP Mantra: Party Hearty! They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017Mar 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION HB 329, Home School… Continue Reading
If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?Mar 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach? The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017Mar 14, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 233, Ban… Continue Reading
Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?Mar 13, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick? Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders… Continue Reading
Women and WagesMar 8, 2017The 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 CareMar 8, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Taking Away Health Care Despite evidence that the Affordable Care Act is more popular and more needed than ever, some… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017Mar 7, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 147, Reenact School… Continue Reading
2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DCMar 6, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director 2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful… Continue Reading
H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect RightsMar 3, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights The fight over North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – the law that notoriously stamps the state’s… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017Mar 1, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills ENVIRONMENTAL CARE H 171, Change Exclusion for… Continue Reading
N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’Feb 25, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’ Politics, at least in a democracy, is competitive. The analogy to sports may be simplistic but… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017Feb 20, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 75, Constitutional Amendment… Continue Reading
Governor Fights Power ShortageFeb 17, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Governor Fights Power Shortage North Carolina’s governor gets to live in a mansion whose handsome property occupies a full city… Continue Reading
Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching ImpactFeb 17, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Johnson Amendment: Name Games and Far-reaching Impact By George Reed, Retired Executive Director I came to North Carolina in 1978 to work with… Continue Reading
Answering your Questions about SanctuaryFeb 16, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Answering your Questions about Sanctuary President Trump’s recent executive actions impacting refugees and immigrants have faithful people increasingly interested in how… Continue Reading
Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for SaleFeb 11, 2017The 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 ShoutsFeb 11, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Whispers and Shouts Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle… Continue Reading
Refugees Welcomed, Not BannedFeb 10, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Refugees Welcomed, Not Banned Last in a series of three blogs. Above all, these strangers bring to us the Christ.… Continue Reading
Big Stakes in High Court PickFeb 1, 2017Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Big Stakes in High Court Pick Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for… Continue Reading
Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017Jan 31, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017 By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The 2017 General Assembly has begun its work. Elected in… Continue Reading
Speak Against Vitriol; Stand for ValuesJan 30, 2017The Rev. Dr. 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 BannedJan 30, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Blessed not Blocked or Banned This Sunday’s Gospel reading was the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus says blessed nine times, but he… Continue Reading
Keeping With CommunityJan 29, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Keeping With Community Enabling good health is a community restoration project. It’s really not about prescription plans, deductibles, out-of-pocket… Continue Reading
The Threat is not from Immigrants and RefugeesJan 28, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director The Threat is not from Immigrants and Refugees The Council has had a busy weekend. Much of the staff was helping with the Beyond… Continue Reading
Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long HaulJan 27, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as… Continue Reading
Sanctuary, Not DeportationJan 27, 2017Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Sanctuary, Not Deportation First in a series of three blogs. God calls people of faith to remember that they… Continue Reading
Let’s Keep MarchingJan 23, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Let’s Keep Marching At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my… Continue Reading
Moving Beyond Gun ViolenceJan 21, 2017The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Moving Beyond Gun Violence Two weeks ago I flew to Florida for a national gathering of state ecumenical leaders and… Continue Reading
A Letter to President TrumpJan 20, 2017The 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
Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Jan 15, 2017Aleta 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 NomineesJan 10, 2017Aleta 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
Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15Jan 10, 2017Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15 On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to continue the process that could ultimately repeal the… Continue Reading
Join us to Pray for Justice and Reconciliation and to Share Dinner TogetherJan 3, 2017Aleta 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
Seeds of Change in a Momentous YearDec 31, 2016Steve 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
Beyond Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience About Ending America’s Deadly EpidemicDec 27, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Beyond Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience About Ending America’s Deadly Epidemic Join us one month from today for a weekend of preaching and teaching about the cost… Continue Reading
The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year GiftDec 26, 2016Aleta 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 HB2Dec 20, 2016Aleta 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 PeaceDec 18, 2016Aleta 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
Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo HospitalDec 16, 2016The Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital Community leaders continue to work endlessly to save the Pungo Hospital in Belhaven. Please join clergy… Continue Reading
Post-Election Travesty Targets the GovernorDec 15, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Post-Election Travesty Targets the Governor The ugly truth can’t be evaded or denied: North Carolina’s General Assembly, in the grip of… Continue Reading
Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and RighteousnessDec 15, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and Righteousness Remarks delivered by Jennifer Copeland at a December 15 press conference in Raleigh on the General… Continue Reading
Possible Surprises in Upcoming Special SessionDec 10, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Possible Surprises in Upcoming Special Session By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The General Assembly returns to town this coming Tuesday, December… Continue Reading
Video — #LoveOneAnotherDec 8, 2016Aleta 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
Maps Again Key to Power, RightsDec 5, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Maps Again Key to Power, Rights No one reading this post is likely to pull a brain muscle describing ways in which… Continue Reading
Plots Thicken in Election’s Aftermath — UPDATEDNov 18, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Plots Thicken in Election’s Aftermath — UPDATED Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency was a waste-pit wallow through a sludge of fear and… Continue Reading
A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of HopeNov 11, 2016Steve 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 PeaceNov 10, 2016Aleta 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 1935Nov 9, 2016Aleta 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 Family Featured in Video on Need for Medicaid ExpansionNov 7, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director NC Family Featured in Video on Need for Medicaid Expansion By Nina Voli, Duke Divinity School Intern Although the Affordable Care Act expanded health care coverage to… Continue Reading
Voting — Finish StrongNov 3, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Voting — Finish Strong For decades, the NC Council of Churches has encouraged full and unfettered access to the polls… Continue Reading
Local Measures Also MatterNov 1, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Local Measures Also Matter There’s more to pay attention to when voting down the ballot than just the Governor’s race,… Continue Reading
Faith and Equality Sunday — October 30Oct 28, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Faith and Equality Sunday — October 30 Early voting in North Carolina is on pace with some of the best years on record. In… Continue Reading
At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters RuleOct 27, 2016Steve 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
Stand Up and VoteOct 25, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Stand Up and Vote So far, our family of five has stood in line, collectively, for five hours and 15… Continue Reading
USDA Approves Emergency Food Benefits for Matthew Victims Through 10/26Oct 24, 2016Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness USDA Approves Emergency Food Benefits for Matthew Victims Through 10/26 Residents in 18 counties impacted by Hurricane Matthew are eligible for emergency food benefits through a… Continue Reading
Early Voting has Begun — Now is the Time to Head to the PollsOct 21, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Early Voting has Begun — Now is the Time to Head to the Polls Early voting has started across North Carolina. Going to the polls now reduces the chance of delays and complications… Continue Reading
Information for Voting in Eastern NCOct 20, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Information for Voting in Eastern NC Those impacted by Hurricane Matthew in the eastern part of the state still want to vote,… Continue Reading
Vote Your Values and Take a FriendOct 13, 2016Aleta 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
Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot CountsOct 11, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts By George Reed, Retired Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches There has been a… Continue Reading
Prayers for Those Impacted by MatthewOct 10, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Prayers for Those Impacted by Matthew We pray for all those impacted by Hurricane Matthew’s devastation. May we be faithful in our commitment… Continue Reading
Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred: A Recap of the WeekOct 4, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred: A Recap of the Week In September, the Council had the opportunity to partner with Americans United for Separation of Church… Continue Reading
Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2Oct 1, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2 Donald Trump may strike a populist, anti-big business note a la Bernie Sanders from time to… Continue Reading
Ways to Encourage Faithful Voters in This Election SeasonSep 27, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Ways to Encourage Faithful Voters in This Election Season As the election approaches, many people of faith are turning to clergy for advice and assistance… Continue Reading
Sore AfraidSep 23, 2016The Rev. Dr. 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 ShortSep 19, 2016Steve 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 GamesSep 17, 2016Steve 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
Early Voting Draws SupportSep 9, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Early Voting Draws Support The folks in North Carolina who want to make it harder rather than easier for people… Continue Reading
Keeping Sacred Spaces SacredSep 8, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred Early in my tenure as the Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches, I needed… Continue Reading
Faith & Immigration Summit Workshops Highlight Importance of Immigration In Upcoming ElectionsAug 28, 2016Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Faith & Immigration Summit Workshops Highlight Importance of Immigration In Upcoming Elections Immigration is one of the most important issues in the 2016 presidential race, as it has… Continue Reading
Election Maps Under ScrutinyAug 12, 2016Steve 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
Voting Rights, RedeemedAug 5, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Voting Rights, Redeemed Even for ardent voting rights advocates, there’s little comfort to be gained from a federal appeals… Continue Reading
Two Steps ForwardJul 30, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Two Steps Forward If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to live the adage, “two steps forward, one step… Continue Reading
Scrambled Session’s Lows and HighsJul 10, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Scrambled Session’s Lows and Highs The N.C. General Assembly’s 2016 regular session, which drew to a sudden close on July 1,… Continue Reading
Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical TeachingJun 27, 2016Sandy 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
Crying Aloud in the Wake of the DAPA/DACA Supreme Court DecisionJun 27, 2016Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director Crying Aloud in the Wake of the DAPA/DACA Supreme Court Decision This past week has been filled with what feels like a continuous barrage of tragic news:… Continue Reading
Immigrants as Scapegoats — AgainJun 26, 2016Steve 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
Stand with Refugees on World Refugee DayJun 20, 2016Jennie 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
Five Questions Answered on Medicaid ExpansionJun 16, 2016Liz 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
How Do We Respond?Jun 13, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director How Do We Respond? After Sunday morning, no one can dispute we are under attack. The real attack, however, is… Continue Reading
Pray for Orlando, Pray for Us AllJun 12, 2016Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director Pray for Orlando, Pray for Us All In the coming days, there will be many questions about the who and why of the… Continue Reading
Budgeting that Tests our ValuesJun 3, 2016Steve 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
Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016May 25, 2016Aleta 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, 2016May 17, 2016Aleta 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
Tar Heel Beacon of ToleranceMay 13, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance Take heart, fair-minded North Carolinians. The state’s not-always-pristine but still vaguely operative image as a place… Continue Reading
Voter Suppression Gets a PassApr 29, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Voter Suppression Gets a Pass A federal judge’s ruling that upholds changes in North Carolina election laws, despite their effect of… Continue Reading
Safety is Imperative to Worker JusticeApr 25, 2016Sandy 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
How Do You Read the Bible?Apr 24, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director How Do You Read the Bible? Remarks from an April 19 press conference in opposition to HB2. There are lots of ways… Continue Reading
Earth Day 2016Apr 22, 2016Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director Earth Day 2016 On this Earth Day 2016, let us celebrate that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management… Continue Reading
Bathroom Drama’s Many PlotsApr 21, 2016Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots Here’s a funny thing about House Bill 2, the “bathroom bill” (now law) that’s causing North… Continue Reading
Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, FairnessApr 13, 2016Steve 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
NCIPL Joins National Call to Support Green Climate FundApr 12, 2016Susannah Tuttle, NCIPL Director NCIPL Joins National Call to Support Green Climate Fund This week, NC Interfaith Power & Light joined 120 religious traditions and organizations across the nation representing… Continue Reading
Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday LendingApr 9, 2016The 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 WorkshopsApr 5, 2016Aleta 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
Reform Medicaid by Expanding ItApr 4, 2016Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate Reform Medicaid by Expanding It Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing… Continue Reading
Hurtful Law Sends SignalsApr 1, 2016Steve 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
Making Discrimination Easier in NCMar 24, 2016Aleta 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
Tell the Truth, Make Amends, Live BetterMar 13, 2016The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director Tell the Truth, Make Amends, Live Better Remarks offered at the March 9, 2016 Vigil on Breaking the Silence on Torture co-sponsored with… Continue Reading
