2021: A Year in Review
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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Interfaith

Bright Light on Interfaith Life
Bright Light on Interfaith Life
Jun 14, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Bright Light on Interfaith Life

While the headlines tell us about very real instances of violence against faith communities (a synagogue… Continue Reading

Hurricanes and Interfaith Power & Light
Hurricanes and Interfaith Power & Light
Sep 14, 2017
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

Hurricanes and Interfaith Power & Light

Over the past week we have experienced a thousand-year flood in Houston and the most powerful… Continue Reading

Wages of War
Wages of War
Jul 20, 2017
The 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

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

Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day
Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day
Jun 19, 2017
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day

First celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20​. The day marks a… Continue Reading

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day
Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day
Jun 14, 2017
Aleta 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

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, Eco-Justice Connection 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

Join the Council at Wild Goose!
Join the Council at Wild Goose!
May 22, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join the Council at Wild Goose!

The Council is a sponsor of the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs this July. Members… Continue Reading

2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18
2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18
May 15, 2017
The 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

The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond
The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond
May 8, 2017
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection 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

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

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished
Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished
Apr 6, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference… Continue Reading

Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order
Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order
Mar 29, 2017
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection 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 Online
2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online
Mar 28, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online

For those who could not be with us at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh,… Continue Reading

2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions
2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions
Mar 24, 2017
Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

2017 Legislative Seminar Check-In Instructions

Thank you to those who have registered for the 2017 Legislative Seminar. We are looking forward… Continue Reading

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

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

PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017
PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017
Mar 3, 2017
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017

We are pleased to introduce the PHW Collaborative. Mostly, it is a change in the name,… Continue Reading

N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’
N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’
Feb 25, 2017
Steve Ford, Former 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

Congregations Act on Faith and Science
Congregations Act on Faith and Science
Feb 24, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Congregations Act on Faith and Science

Remarks delivered by NCIPL Director Susannah Tuttle at a press conference on February 23. People of… Continue Reading

Let Loving One Another Become Our Norm
Let Loving One Another Become Our Norm
Feb 23, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Let Loving One Another Become Our Norm

Yesterday morning, the Sandra P. Lerner Jewish Community Day School in Durham received a bomb threat.… Continue Reading

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

Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale
Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale
Feb 11, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Repealing the Johnson Amendment Means Pulpits for Sale

Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at HKonJ 2017. Picture this on the marquee in… Continue Reading

Whispers and Shouts
Whispers and Shouts
Feb 11, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Whispers and Shouts

Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle… Continue Reading

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

Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality
Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality
Feb 7, 2017
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality

Second in a series of three blogs. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for… Continue Reading

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

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

Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15
Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15
Jan 10, 2017
Aleta 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

PHW Mini-Grants Now Open
PHW Mini-Grants Now Open
Jan 7, 2017
Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

PHW Mini-Grants Now Open

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting mini-grant applications. Congregations who were certified… Continue Reading

Partners in Health and Wholeness Grant Cycle Opens January 6
Partners in Health and Wholeness Grant Cycle Opens January 6
Jan 5, 2017
Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness Grant Cycle Opens January 6

PHW-certified congregations across North Carolina are eligible to apply for a mini-grant to assist in furthering… 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

Thank You for Speaking Love in 2016
Thank You for Speaking Love in 2016
Jan 1, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Thank You for Speaking Love in 2016

We could not begin the new year without acknowledging the volunteers, grassroots advocates, donors, organizational partners, and all… Continue Reading

Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Dec 31, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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

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

The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift

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

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

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

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

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

Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital
Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital
Dec 16, 2016
The 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 Governor
Post-Election Travesty Targets the Governor
Dec 15, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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

UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You
UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You
Dec 15, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You

The NC NAACP has called for a People’s Assembly at 4:30 p.m., today, Thursday, December 15,… 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

More than 300 NC Clergy Sign-On to Speak Love
More than 300 NC Clergy Sign-On to Speak Love
Dec 3, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

More than 300 NC Clergy Sign-On to Speak Love

A full-page ad in Sunday’s Raleigh News & Observer will include the signatures of more than… 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

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

Community Contributes to Our Wholeness
Community Contributes to Our Wholeness
Nov 10, 2016
The Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Community Contributes to Our Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness ambitiously endeavors to work for and toward issues of mind, body,… 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

Christian Unity Committee Offers Workshop: Getting to Know our Muslim Neighbor
Christian Unity Committee Offers Workshop: Getting to Know our Muslim Neighbor
Nov 8, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Christian Unity Committee Offers Workshop: Getting to Know our Muslim Neighbor

On December 2, the Council’s Christian Unity Committee will offer a workshop intended to help Christians… Continue Reading

Voting — Finish Strong
Voting — Finish Strong
Nov 3, 2016
Aleta 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

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
Oct 27, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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 Vote
Stand Up and Vote
Oct 25, 2016
Aleta 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

Early Voting has Begun — Now is the Time to Head to the Polls
Early Voting has Begun — Now is the Time to Head to the Polls
Oct 21, 2016
Aleta 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

PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15
PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15
Oct 14, 2016
The Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15

The Partners in Health and Wholeness program originally had an October 31 deadline for our 2016… Continue Reading

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

Vote Your Values and Take a Friend

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

Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts
Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts
Oct 11, 2016
Aleta 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 Matthew
Prayers for Those Impacted by Matthew
Oct 10, 2016
Aleta 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

Starting the Conversation About Mental Health
Starting the Conversation About Mental Health
Oct 6, 2016
The Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Starting the Conversation About Mental Health

It happens to be Mental Illness Awareness Week, which comes days after I was able to take part… Continue Reading

Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred: A Recap of the Week
Keeping Sacred Spaces Sacred: A Recap of the Week
Oct 4, 2016
Aleta 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

Growing a Partnership with Environmental Defense Fund
Growing a Partnership with Environmental Defense Fund
Oct 3, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

Growing a Partnership with Environmental Defense Fund

Two weeks ago I was selected as the keynote speaker at the Environmental Defense Fund NC’s… Continue Reading

Speak Peace
Speak Peace
Sep 25, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Speak Peace

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the… Continue Reading

Sore Afraid
Sore Afraid
Sep 23, 2016
The 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 Short
Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short
Sep 19, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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, Former 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, Eco-Justice Connection 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

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, Former 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

How Do We Respond?
How Do We Respond?
Jun 13, 2016
The 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 All
Pray for Orlando, Pray for Us All
Jun 12, 2016
Aleta 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 Values
Budgeting that Tests our Values
Jun 3, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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

NCIPL Joins National Call to Support Green Climate Fund
NCIPL Joins National Call to Support Green Climate Fund
Apr 12, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection 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 Lending
Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday Lending
Apr 9, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Coalition Visits DC to Speak Against Payday Lending

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

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

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops

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

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It
Reform Medicaid by Expanding It
Apr 4, 2016
Sandy 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

NCIPL Hosts Katharine Hayhoe, World-Renowned Climate Scientist
NCIPL Hosts Katharine Hayhoe, World-Renowned Climate Scientist
Apr 3, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

NCIPL Hosts Katharine Hayhoe, World-Renowned Climate Scientist

NCIPL is hosting Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, world-renowned climate scientist and educator with a deep faith in God, the first… Continue Reading

Tell the Truth, Make Amends, Live Better
Tell the Truth, Make Amends, Live Better
Mar 13, 2016
The 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

NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling
NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling
Mar 3, 2016
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

NCCC Policy Statement Opposing Offshore Drilling

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

Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday
Lenten Guide — Ash Wednesday
Feb 10, 2016
The Rev. Dr. 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

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

Critical Issues Seminar — Registration Now Open

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

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

Tenth Annual HKonJ is February 13

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

Wake Divinity School Grooms Young Leaders With Soil
Wake Divinity School Grooms Young Leaders With Soil
Jan 13, 2016
Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Wake Divinity School Grooms Young Leaders With Soil

I have the pleasure of continuing to work with Fred Bahnson, director of the Food, Faith,… 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

Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Dec 14, 2015
Steve Ford, Former 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

Advent Guide on Refugees — Second Sunday
Advent Guide on Refugees — Second Sunday
Dec 5, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Advent Guide on Refugees — Second Sunday

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

Advent Guide on Refugees — First Sunday
Advent Guide on Refugees — First Sunday
Nov 28, 2015
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

Advent Guide on Refugees — First Sunday

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

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

Shopping with Meaning

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

Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees
Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees
Nov 21, 2015
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees

Photo by I. Prickett, UNHCR Against the toxic brew of fear and political opportunism that has… Continue Reading

Ways to Help in S.C.
Ways to Help in S.C.
Oct 6, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Ways to Help in S.C.

By Hana Suckstorff, Duke Divinity School Intern Our brothers and sisters in South Carolina are dealing… Continue Reading

Pope Francis in the US
Pope Francis in the US
Oct 2, 2015
Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

Pope Francis in the US

For faith-based environmental activists, Pope Francis’s visit to the United States had a major effect even… 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

Lamenting the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Lamenting the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Sep 11, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Lamenting the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Last week, the European refugee crisis reached a tragic peak. More than 11 million Syrians have been… Continue Reading

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

Lessons Learned from the Millennial Leaders Program

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

The Leadership of Pope Francis
The Leadership of Pope Francis
Jun 26, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Leadership of Pope Francis

By Wayde Marsh, Duke Divinity School Intern “[Pope] Francis almost makes me want to convert to… 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

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

Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
Jun 12, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking

At the North Carolina Council of Churches, our work is often guided by Isaiah 1:17, which… Continue Reading

This Millennial’s Response to the Pew Research Center Study
This Millennial’s Response to the Pew Research Center Study
May 15, 2015
Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

This Millennial’s Response to the Pew Research Center Study

I am a millennial. I was also born and raised in the church and have continued… 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

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Mar 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Former 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

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

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

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

In Mourning
In Mourning
Feb 12, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

In Mourning

The deaths of Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and Deah Shaddy Barakat are an unspeakable… Continue Reading

February 6 — Contact Senator Burr
February 6 — Contact Senator Burr
Feb 5, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

February 6 — Contact Senator Burr

Our friends at NC Stop Torture Now are organizing a call-in to the offices of Sen.… Continue Reading

Remembering Sydnor Thompson
Remembering Sydnor Thompson
Feb 3, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Remembering Sydnor Thompson

We received word last week of the passing of Sydnor Thompson Jr. less than a month… Continue Reading

Register Now for 2015 Faith and Immigration Summit
Register Now for 2015 Faith and Immigration Summit
Jan 28, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Register Now for 2015 Faith and Immigration Summit

This year’s summit will focus on issues affecting children and youth coming to our state from… Continue Reading

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

What Frightens Civitas?

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

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

2014 Faith & Health Summit: Registration Deadline Extended
2014 Faith & Health Summit: Registration Deadline Extended
Sep 29, 2014
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

2014 Faith & Health Summit: Registration Deadline Extended

The deadline to register for the 2014 Faith and Health Summit has been extended until this… Continue Reading

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

Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith

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

Cary Congregation with Liberian ties Collects Medical Supplies
Cary Congregation with Liberian ties Collects Medical Supplies
Aug 10, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Cary Congregation with Liberian ties Collects Medical Supplies

We have all been touched by news of the growing Ebola crisis in Liberia, Sierra Leone,… Continue Reading

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

2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!

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

David Gushee on “The State of Things” and in Raleigh — Tuesday
David Gushee on “The State of Things” and in Raleigh — Tuesday
Jun 21, 2014
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

David Gushee on “The State of Things” and in Raleigh — Tuesday

Tune in to WUNC’s “The State of Things” on Tuesday, June 24, to hear David Gushee ahead… Continue Reading

Full Program Available for Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education
Full Program Available for Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education
Jun 9, 2014
Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern

Full Program Available for Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education

The full program for the our 2014 Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education is now available on… Continue Reading

To All Who Love God’s Creation and Hope for the Future
To All Who Love God’s Creation and Hope for the Future
Apr 21, 2014
Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

To All Who Love God’s Creation and Hope for the Future

As we enter Easter Season, the time when Christians celebrate the greatest mystery of our faith,… Continue Reading

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

Gardening With a Purpose

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

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

Photos from HKonJ 2014

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

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

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

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

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday
Feb 6, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s… Continue Reading

2014 Conference on the Common Good–February 17
2014 Conference on the Common Good–February 17
Jan 14, 2014
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

2014 Conference on the Common Good–February 17

The Christian Unity Committee of the North Carolina Council of Churches is proud to announce this… 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

Interreligious Prayer Service Saturday
Interreligious Prayer Service Saturday
Sep 5, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Interreligious Prayer Service Saturday

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh is inviting people of faith to… Continue Reading

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

Passing of Bishop Gossman

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

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

The Liberal Protest that Would Shock the Right: Moral Monday

Salon

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

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All
Faith Communities Cannot Do It All
Jul 10, 2013
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders 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

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

Call to Mobilize 1,000 Clergy

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

PHW Success Story – Islamic Association of Raleigh
PHW Success Story – Islamic Association of Raleigh
May 21, 2013
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

PHW Success Story – Islamic Association of Raleigh

The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is blessed to have a kitchen/restaurant facility which serves the… 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

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

New Videos: Legislative Seminar Awards

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

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

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

Preparing the Way: Blessed are the Peacemakers
Preparing the Way: Blessed are the Peacemakers
Mar 26, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Preparing the Way: Blessed are the Peacemakers

Sojo.net

Jesus was a peacemaking, blessed child of God, but he also was an “other.” Reviled and persecuted, he was the paperless son of displaced immigrant parents. The prophetic iconoclast. That guy who hung out with those people, the type most modern leaders would not associate with, except for a photo opportunity at a Thanksgiving Day soup kitchen. Let us remember on Sunday when we celebrate his resurrection, that Jesus was crucified because he was an outsider whose way of doing things scared and angered the powers-that-be.

National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17
National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17
Mar 12, 2013
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17

If ending gun violence were easy, nightmares like Sandy Hook would never happen. Young lives would not… 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

Lectionary: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths (4th Sunday in Lent)
Lectionary: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths (4th Sunday in Lent)
Feb 17, 2013
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Lectionary: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths (4th Sunday in Lent)

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship

Date: 4th Sunday in Lent – March 10, 2013
Topic: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths
Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

From the pastoral reflection: “Nadia dramatically called us into the reality of her life and away from our being disengaged onlookers. Angrily, she described the early morning hours onslaught as she, her husband, and three little children huddled on their bedroom floor, bullets ricocheting around the room for half an hour. They assumed they would die in the hail of gunfire. But surviving the experience, the family began cleaning up their devastated home and quickly recognized the telltale imprint of American military hardware: spent shells that they knew came from American-made equipment.”

Lent and Getting Back to Basics
Lent and Getting Back to Basics
Feb 4, 2013
Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

Lent and Getting Back to Basics

The 40 days of Lent are a wonderful time for Christians to explore deeply our relationship… 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

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

Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm
Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm
Nov 1, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm

Our prayers are with our sisters and brothers who continue to recover from the devastation of… Continue Reading

Our Responsibility to Vote
Our Responsibility to Vote
Oct 25, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our Responsibility to Vote

Our middle son and I went to early vote on Saturday, taking advantage of his visit… Continue Reading

Latest National Survey on Climate Change Beliefs
Latest National Survey on Climate Change Beliefs
Oct 25, 2012
Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

Latest National Survey on Climate Change Beliefs

The Center for Climate Change Communication, a joint project of Yale and George Mason Universities, released… Continue Reading

Reclaiming the Bible’s Prophetic Voice
Reclaiming the Bible’s Prophetic Voice
Sep 7, 2012
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Reclaiming the Bible’s Prophetic Voice

Recently, I heard a powerful message from the Rev. William Barber. Many Council folks know him. He’s the President of the NC NAACP and pastor of the Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) in Goldsboro. The power of his message was not in fiery delivery. It was a low-key conversation with a group of fifty or so progressive leaders, sitting in a circle in the chapel of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. The power was in the profound thoughts he expressed and in the clear rightness of his words.

Manage the Unavoidable and Avoid the Unmanageable
Manage the Unavoidable and Avoid the Unmanageable
Aug 29, 2012
Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

Manage the Unavoidable and Avoid the Unmanageable

NCIPL is all about helping faith communities find positive responses to climate change. It’s a big… Continue Reading

Prayers for Our Sisters and Brothers in Wisconsin
Prayers for Our Sisters and Brothers in Wisconsin
Aug 6, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Prayers for Our Sisters and Brothers in Wisconsin

The North Carolina Council of Churches joins with our sisters and brothers in Wisconsin to mourn… Continue Reading

Rio+20 and The Climate is Changed!
Rio+20 and The Climate is Changed!
Jun 19, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Rio+20 and The Climate is Changed!

One of my friends just posted this amazing YouTube video of Severn Suzuki who, at age… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill
Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill
Jun 4, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report: Racial Justice Act Veto Override and Lobby Day to Stop Fracking Bill

Two time-sensitive issues for advocates: 1) A vote to override the Governor’s veto of the Racial… Continue Reading

Statement on Passage of Amendment One
Statement on Passage of Amendment One
May 9, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Statement on Passage of Amendment One

In light of yesterday’s vote to add a discriminatory amendment about marriage to our state’s constitution,… Continue Reading

Reed Explains Council’s Opposition to Amendment One on Sunday Radio Show
Reed Explains Council’s Opposition to Amendment One on Sunday Radio Show
May 4, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Reed Explains Council’s Opposition to Amendment One on Sunday Radio Show

Hear George Reed explain the Council’s opposition to Amendment One on Sunday morning’s News & Views… Continue Reading

Clergy Engage Constitutional Amendment Debate
Clergy Engage Constitutional Amendment Debate
Apr 23, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Clergy Engage Constitutional Amendment Debate

Durham Herald-Sun

The ballot referendum that could cement the definition of marriage as “the only domestic legal union” into the state Constitution has turned a political debate into a religious one — and is mustering people of faith across North Carolina to the polls.

Early Voting and Amendment One
Early Voting and Amendment One
Apr 20, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Early Voting and Amendment One

Early voting is now under way for North Carolina’s May 8 primary. Between now and May… Continue Reading

Lectionary: Interfaith Connections (4th Sunday of Easter)
Lectionary: Interfaith Connections (4th Sunday of Easter)
Apr 18, 2012
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Lectionary: Interfaith Connections (4th Sunday of Easter)

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship
Date: 4th Sunday after Easter, April 29, 2012
Topic: Interfaith Connections
Focus Text: John 10:11-18
From the pastoral reflection: In 21st century North Carolina we have many and various ways to come into contact with “other sheep.” Will we stick to our own kind, work to create a Christian enclave where we feel safe and secure, free from any risk? Or, will we be the welcoming face, the open hands, the purposeful feet, and the compassionate voice of Christ in the world so that all may know the love of God?

Celebrating With My Community
Celebrating With My Community
Apr 16, 2012
Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Celebrating With My Community

It’s funny when strangers strike you as family. That is what happens, for me at least,… Continue Reading

A Personal Story of Faith and Health
A Personal Story of Faith and Health
Apr 12, 2012
Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

A Personal Story of Faith and Health

BCBSNC Foundation

My faith journey began at an early age and in a somewhat nontraditional way. I fondly remember attending weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies at my grandmother’s house in rural North Carolina. Community members would come from all around to worship together in a small, weather-beaten house at the end of a long dirt path. They would read scriptures, sing songs and tell stories of how they were able to overcome various obstacles throughout the week.

Deadline for Critical Issues Seminar Extended; Eva Clayton to Speak at Lunch
Deadline for Critical Issues Seminar Extended; Eva Clayton to Speak at Lunch
Apr 2, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Deadline for Critical Issues Seminar Extended; Eva Clayton to Speak at Lunch

The deadline to guarantee lunch at the 2012 Critical Issues Seminar has been extended to April… Continue Reading

Earth Sabbath Celebrated in Asheville
Earth Sabbath Celebrated in Asheville
Mar 8, 2012
Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Earth Sabbath Celebrated in Asheville

“My heart is moved by all that I cannot save.” Fifty-three enthralled participants at the Earth… Continue Reading

Earth Sabbath Celebrations Spread to Asheville, Chapel Hill and Durham
Earth Sabbath Celebrations Spread to Asheville, Chapel Hill and Durham
Jan 29, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Earth Sabbath Celebrations Spread to Asheville, Chapel Hill and Durham

Anyone who has attended an Earth Sabbath Celebration knows how special they are. Over the past… Continue Reading

2012 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
2012 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
Dec 29, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

2012 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

This Prayer for Unity and monthly prayer calendar include by name the judicatories and congregations that… Continue Reading

Anti-Muslim Bigotry is Wrong
Anti-Muslim Bigotry is Wrong
Dec 16, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Anti-Muslim Bigotry is Wrong

Lowe’s home improvement stores confirmed last week that, in response to agitation from an anti-Muslim group,… Continue Reading

Abraham Jam — Take a Look!
Abraham Jam — Take a Look!
Nov 17, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Abraham Jam — Take a Look!

Thanks to all of those who supported Abraham Jam and the wonderful performers who made it happen. We hope to have links to additional video from the concert soon, but for now, here’s a sneak peek provided by the Duke Chronicle.

You can also listen to Frank Stasio’s interview with musicians David LaMotte, Dan Nichols, and Dawud Wharnsby from the Nov. 16 edition of WUNC’s The State of Things.

Reflections on Interfaith Dialogue
Reflections on Interfaith Dialogue
Nov 14, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Reflections on Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith Dialogue is a crucial endeavor in light of the increasing religious diversity in our nation and our own communities. Globalization is a wondrous, yet in some ways perplexing reality, and it brings us into ever more frequent contact with persons of other faiths. While at one time the dialogue between Christians and Jews was common and we often spoke of our Judeo-Christian heritage, that conversation has necessarily expanded to include our increasingly numerous Muslim neighbors and we now speak of the Abrahamic Faiths. We are becoming increasingly aware of Buddhist, Hindu and Native American neighbors as well as persons of other religious traditions. It is imperative that we acknowledge, understand, and appreciate each other for the sake not only of civility, but because all our religious traditions require hospitality of us.

North Carolina Interfaith Dialogue Project
North Carolina Interfaith Dialogue Project
Nov 14, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

North Carolina Interfaith Dialogue Project

When a distinguished group of Muslim Imams published their historic “A Common Word Between Us and You” it was met with resounding expressions of appreciation by religious and secular leaders alike. It was an effort to initiate a broad dialogue across the United States between Muslims and Christians. It focused on two central themes which these two historic faiths hold in common: Love of God, and Love of Neighbor, and it sites the many texts of the Hebrew Scriptures which are venerated by both religious traditions. It seemed inappropriate to engage in such a dialogue without including our Jewish colleagues from whose faith tradition these texts originated. Hence, a three way dialogue was seen as the best approach.

Abraham Jam Poets Announced
Abraham Jam Poets Announced
Nov 8, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Abraham Jam Poets Announced

The Abraham Jam, a concert and poetry event, will be happening on Nov. 16 at Duke’s Page Auditorium. The line-up of nationally and internationally known poets has just been announced.

Interfaith Event – Your Opinion?
Interfaith Event – Your Opinion?
Aug 29, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Interfaith Event – Your Opinion?

Your opinion is valued as we try to pick a title for the upcoming Triangle Interfaith event at Duke. What do you think?

Resources for Remembering 9/11
Resources for Remembering 9/11
Aug 10, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Resources for Remembering 9/11

In one month, our country will mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks on our nation on 9/11. Many denominations, faith groups and religious organizations have prepared materials for use in community gatherings and worship services in congregations – click here for links to those resources. You will also find pastoral care materials and age appropriate resources for children.

Building Interfaith Community
Building Interfaith Community
May 12, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Building Interfaith Community

Building community is the most effective (though perhaps least dramatic) way to resist divisive rhetoric that demonizes the ‘other.’ It is much easier to caricature people we don’t know. It is hard not to challenge stereotypes when one’s own personal experience and relationships contradict them.

Interfaith Concert @ NC State moved to Fall
Interfaith Concert @ NC State moved to Fall
Mar 24, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Interfaith Concert @ NC State moved to Fall

Three bands, three faiths, three nationalities. This fall there will be a free concert on the… Continue Reading

NCCC Signs Anti-Bigotry Pledge
NCCC Signs Anti-Bigotry Pledge
Mar 10, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

NCCC Signs Anti-Bigotry Pledge

In response to Rep. King’s hearings on the radicalization of Islam in the United States, an… Continue Reading

2011 Pilgrimage for Justice & Peace
2011 Pilgrimage for Justice & Peace
Mar 7, 2011
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

2011 Pilgrimage for Justice & Peace

Join Witness for Peace Southeast, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and a host of other… Continue Reading

School Diversity Sign-On Statement
School Diversity Sign-On Statement
Feb 8, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

School Diversity Sign-On Statement

Please join us and people of faith across North Carolina in committing to diversity in North Carolina schools by signing this statement.

Anti-Torture Conference
Anti-Torture Conference
Jan 24, 2011
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Anti-Torture Conference

Torture conference logoOn March 25 and 26, 2011, the Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina will be hosting a conference on torture. This two-day event aims to equip participants to understand the arguments against torture and to prepare them for anti-torture advocacy within their own communities, trusting that the greatest protection against the U.S. government’s use of torture is a shared understanding that torture is always wrong.

David LaMotte to Serve on AFSC Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Committee
David LaMotte to Serve on AFSC Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Committee
Nov 12, 2010
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

David LaMotte to Serve on AFSC Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Committee

We knew when David LaMotte joined the NC Council of Churches’ staff in July as program… Continue Reading

Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary
Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary
Oct 29, 2010
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary

I was struck, as I listened to remembrances from the past, that we really are seeing progress on issues of social justice. But it happens over a period of years or even decades. The issues we heard about at the Anniversary are difficult ones. They have produced years of frustration and sometimes what looked like complete failure. And yet . . .

Dr. Rynne to speak on Gandhi, Jesus and Nonviolence
Dr. Rynne to speak on Gandhi, Jesus and Nonviolence
Oct 18, 2010
David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

Dr. Rynne to speak on Gandhi, Jesus and Nonviolence

Dr. Terrence Rynne is the founder of the Marquette University Center for Peacemaking. His new book “Gandhi and Jesus, the Saving Power of Nonviolence” examines the intersections between the life of Jesus and the teachings of Gandhi. He has three presentations coming up in North Carolina, in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh.

Peace-related Events Around the State
Peace-related Events Around the State
Oct 5, 2010
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Peace-related Events Around the State

Hello friends, There are a couple of upcoming events I wanted to let you know about… Continue Reading

NC Council of Churches supports Muslims’ right to build NYC project
NC Council of Churches supports Muslims’ right to build NYC project
Sep 23, 2010
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

NC Council of Churches supports Muslims’ right to build NYC project

The American Independent

The NC Council of Churches on Thursday strongly endorsed the right of Muslims to build a community center near the site of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City. “We stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters in affirming their right to build on a site two-and-a-half blocks from Ground Zero,” the council said in statement unanimously adopted by its governing board at its meeting this week in Greensboro. The statement comes as controversy flares around a TV ad being aired by North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Renee Ellmers.

Statement on the New York Muslim Community Center Controversy
Statement on the New York Muslim Community Center Controversy
Sep 21, 2010
North Carolina Council of Churches

Statement on the New York Muslim Community Center Controversy

The North Carolina Council of Churches represents 6,200 congregations in 17 denominations statewide. The North Carolina Council of Churches condemns all religious violence. As people of Christian faith, we value a teaching common to the Abrahamic faiths, which in the Christian tradition is expressed as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  As Christians in a nation largely founded by religious refugees, we value the freedom of religion guaranteed by our Constitution and proudly proclaimed worldwide as a foundational principle of United States government and society. For freedom of religion to have substance and integrity, it must extend to people of all faiths. 

When Tolerance and Coexistence Are (Not) Enough
When Tolerance and Coexistence Are (Not) Enough
Sep 18, 2010
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

When Tolerance and Coexistence Are (Not) Enough

Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn, Temple Emanuel (Winston-Salem)

What is it about the rear side of a car that they are a primary location to display our affiliations: sports, political groups, rock bands, restaurants, ideologies, personal interests, vacation spots, synagogues (a very popular one here in Winston-Salem)… You see these signs everywhere.

Hope For Middle East Peace – Community Prayer Day
Hope For Middle East Peace – Community Prayer Day
Jul 12, 2006
Chris Liu-Beers, Former Program Associate

Hope For Middle East Peace – Community Prayer Day

The following are prayers offered for Middle East Peace during a 2006 interfaith prayer service in North Carolina.

It is good that we have been here today, not because it changes a thing, but because it reminds us that as diverse as our traditions and convictions are, our hearts yearn for similar things. And if this is true, if we are hoping and praying and working for the same ultimate goals, then we are connected in a soulful way. And acknowledging that truth can change everything.

May the One who made us for peace, give us the courage to live in peace.
May the One who made us in love, give us the compassion to reach out in love.
May the One who made us with hope, give us the strength to persevere in hope.

And may all of our sisters and brothers in the Middle East know the fullness of God’s peace, God’s hope, and God’s love. Amen.


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