2021: A Year in Review
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God’s Creative Diversity
God’s Creative Diversity
Oct 12, 2021
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

God’s Creative Diversity

The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director, Jennifer Copeland, on October 11, 2021 at a… Continue Reading

Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities
Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities
Jul 7, 2020
North Carolina Council of Churches

Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities

Download The Guide & Share This Link To Triple The Vote! —> bit.ly/NCvaluesvoter The 2020 elections… Continue Reading

Reaffirmation of Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
Reaffirmation of Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
Jun 10, 2019
North Carolina Council of Churches

Reaffirmation of Support for the LGBTQ+ Community

Approved unanimously on June 4, 2019 by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches. In response to… Continue Reading

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

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019

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

Methodism Amuck
Methodism Amuck
Mar 11, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Methodism Amuck

We are a few weeks out from the 2019 Special General Conference of the United Methodist… Continue Reading

Rights Advocacy At Risk
Rights Advocacy At Risk
Aug 3, 2017
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Rights Advocacy At Risk

The optics, as they say, are terrible. But in a state whose motto is “To Be… Continue Reading

Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All
Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All
Jul 27, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Anti-LGBTQ Policies Impact Us All

Wednesday’s federal-policy-by-tweet announcement that children of God who are transgender could no longer serve in the… Continue Reading

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Apr 1, 2017
Steve Ford, Former 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

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

Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017
Mar 26, 2017
Aleta 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 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

Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017
Mar 23, 2017
Aleta 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

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Mar 14, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 233, Ban… Continue Reading

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC
2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC
Mar 6, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC

The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful… Continue Reading

H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
Mar 3, 2017
Steve Ford, Former 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, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017
Mar 1, 2017
Aleta 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

Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017
Feb 20, 2017
Aleta 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

Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017
Feb 15, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director As the legislative session continues, there’s been a marked increase… Continue Reading

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

Whispers and Shouts

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

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

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul
Jan 27, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul

Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as… Continue Reading

Let’s Keep Marching
Let’s Keep Marching
Jan 23, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Let’s Keep Marching

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my… Continue Reading

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

A Letter to President Trump

Dear Mr. Trump, You ARE my president. I did not vote for you, but you were… Continue Reading

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

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2

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

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

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

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

The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand
The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand
Dec 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand

He and his supporters twisted and turned, wriggled and squirmed. But 27 days after the Nov.… Continue Reading

December 2-4: Preach Love
December 2-4: Preach Love
Nov 14, 2016
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

December 2-4: Preach Love

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

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

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

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

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

Separating Church and Hate Since 1935

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

Faith and Equality Sunday — October 30
Faith and Equality Sunday — October 30
Oct 28, 2016
The 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 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

Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2
Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2
Oct 1, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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

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

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

Governor in the Glare

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

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

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

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016

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

Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance
Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance
May 13, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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

Video: Christian Ethics and HB2
Video: Christian Ethics and HB2
Apr 30, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Video: Christian Ethics and HB2

On April 24, the Council joined with EqualityNC  and the Equality Federation to present a discussion… Continue Reading

How Do You Read the Bible?
How Do You Read the Bible?
Apr 24, 2016
The 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

Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots
Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots
Apr 21, 2016
Steve Ford, Former 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, Fairness
Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness
Apr 13, 2016
Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness

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

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

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

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

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

Making Discrimination Easier in NC

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

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

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

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law

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

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

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

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

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

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

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

When a Child is Loved
When a Child is Loved
Nov 26, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

When a Child is Loved

I had a chance to talk with Mahan Siler at last week’s Road Show in Asheville.… 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

The Ruling on Same-Gender Marriage
The Ruling on Same-Gender Marriage
Oct 13, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

The Ruling on Same-Gender Marriage

The immediate impact of the most recent court decisions regarding marriage is that same-gender couples who… Continue Reading

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

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

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

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

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

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

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

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

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

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8
Jan 12, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

HKonJ 2014 — Saturday, February 8

It’s now just four weeks until this year’s HKonJ People’s Assembly. There is nothing more important for… Continue Reading

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

UCC Divests from Fossil Fuels

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

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

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

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

More than 400 Voices Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric
More than 400 Voices Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric
Jun 15, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

More than 400 Voices Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric

Thank you. Since last month, more than 400 of you have signed onto a statement rejecting toxic… Continue Reading

Church Council Bulletin, Spring 2012
Church Council Bulletin, Spring 2012
May 29, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Church Council Bulletin, Spring 2012

The Spring 2012 Church Council Bulletin includes photographs from the Council’s recent Critical Issues Seminar, an update on items of interest in the General Assembly’s short session, a statement on the passage of Amendment One, the Council’s spring appeal, and more.

Lifelong Commitments
Lifelong Commitments
May 28, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Lifelong Commitments

A couple of weeks ago, Steve Ford, editor of the editorial page of the Raleigh News… Continue Reading

Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric
Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric
May 25, 2012
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Rhetoric

In light of this week’s news of a North Carolina pastor calling for people who are… 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’s Full Radio Interview Against Amendment One
Reed’s Full Radio Interview Against Amendment One
May 7, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Reed’s Full Radio Interview Against Amendment One

Executive Director George Reed’s full interview with NC Policy Watch from Sunday is now available here. … 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

Keep Discrimination Out of the NC Constitution — Vote May 8
Keep Discrimination Out of the NC Constitution — Vote May 8
May 3, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Keep Discrimination Out of the NC Constitution — Vote May 8

Council Friends— I am writing you with a last-minute appeal to get to the polls for… 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

Pilgrim UCC hosting series on Amendment 1
Pilgrim UCC hosting series on Amendment 1
Mar 13, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Pilgrim UCC hosting series on Amendment 1

Durham Herald-Sun

Pilgrim United Church of Christ will host a community series this month on “Faith and the Marriage Amendment,” about the proposed North Carolina Amendment 1. If the ballot measure passes May 8, the only valid domestic union recognized by the state will be marriage of a man and a woman.

Read more: The Herald-Sun – Pilgrim UCC hosting series on Amendment 1

Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry Focuses on Amendment One
Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry Focuses on Amendment One
Mar 9, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry Focuses on Amendment One

We hope you’ll join us on April 14 for the Fourth Annual Jack Crum Conference on… Continue Reading

Council Provides Toolkit for Amendment One Opponents
Council Provides Toolkit for Amendment One Opponents
Feb 28, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Council Provides Toolkit for Amendment One Opponents

The NC Council of Churches, working in conjunction with the Coalition to Protect ALL NC Families,… Continue Reading

Both sides gear up in N.C. gay marriage fight
Both sides gear up in N.C. gay marriage fight
Feb 23, 2012
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Both sides gear up in N.C. gay marriage fight

The Washington Post

WILMINGTON, N.C. — As the only Southern state without a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, North Carolina is the next battleground, with religious groups on both sides bracing for a high-stakes fight on May 8.

Against a recent string of gay-marriage victories in California, Washington state and Maryland, North Carolinians will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment on May 8, the same day as the state Republican primary.

Same-sex marriage has been illegal in the Tar Heel State since 1996; Minnesota also has a marriage amendment planned for a vote in November.

Raleigh Report – September 19, 2011
Raleigh Report – September 19, 2011
Sep 19, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – September 19, 2011

The General Assembly met for three days last week in its second mini-session following adjournment of the regular long session. This session was supposed to be the “Constitutional Amendments Session,” but when the dust cleared, only one constitutional amendment had been approved – the one which defines marriage so as to exclude people who are gay or lesbian not only from marriage but also from civil unions or other similar committed relationships and which could also prevent local governments and even private companies from granting partner benefits to anyone not in a two-gender marriage

Discriminatory Amendment Goes on the Ballot
Discriminatory Amendment Goes on the Ballot
Sep 16, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Discriminatory Amendment Goes on the Ballot

The North Carolina General Assembly has met for its third time this year. This was to be the “Constitutional Amendments Session,” but when adjournment was reached yesterday, the only constitutional amendment which had been passed was the one excluding people who are gay or lesbian from marriage, something that is already statutory law in our state.

A Pastor’s Calling to WORK for LGBT Inclusion
A Pastor’s Calling to WORK for LGBT Inclusion
Jun 23, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A Pastor’s Calling to WORK for LGBT Inclusion

Durham Herald-Sun

Jimmy Creech spent his career as an ordained United Methodist pastor until the church took his credentials away as punishment for conducting same sex commitment ceremonies in Omaha and Chapel Hill.

He was not convicted at a trial in Nebraska in 1998, but he lost his church assignment and the stage was set for a second trial in 1999 after he officiated a ceremony at United Church of Chapel Hill. Since then he has been a leader of LGBT justice issues, retired to Raleigh and travels the country speaking. He also has written an account of the upheaval, “Adam’s Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gays.” He’ll speak about it Saturday at the Durham County Library Main Branch downtown.

Resources for Conversations on GLBT Issues
Resources for Conversations on GLBT Issues
Apr 28, 2011
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Resources for Conversations on GLBT Issues

Several of the Council’s member denominations have resources available to help faith communities have productive conversations about issues related to gays and lesbians. Many more are out there, but this list offers a place to start.

Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011
Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011
Apr 4, 2011
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Raleigh Report – April 4, 2011

The drumbeat of bad bills continues. Suffice it to say that it’s a tough year for those of us who have advocated for public policy decisions promoting social justice, protecting vulnerable people, and caring for God’s creation. We can’t respond to every bad idea or bad bill. On many of these issues, we feel like we are butting our heads against a wall. Our tendency may be to throw up our hands in despair.

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 . . .

Policy Statement on a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Marriage
Policy Statement on a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Marriage
Mar 2, 2004
North Carolina Council of Churches

Policy Statement on a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Marriage

The North Carolina Council of Churches opposes a Marriage Amendment to the federal or state constitution because it would enshrine at the constitutional level discrimination based on sexual orientation. In addition, we find it to be a highly charged, politically motivated, divisive measure.

Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians
Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians
Apr 30, 1992
North Carolina Council of Churches

Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination against Gay Men and Lesbians

Violence cannot be ignored by those who stand in the prophetic tradition of justice and peace and in the gospel tradition of Jesus Christ, who came “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”  Violence is evil.  Intolerance cannot be tolerated.  Silence and passivity by the churches allow hostility, and are unfaithful responses to the Christian gospel.  Justice, respect, and freedom must be claimed and pursued for all persons in the service of the justice and peace of God’s sovereignty in history.


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