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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Peace-related Events Around the State

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Hello friends,

There are a couple of upcoming events I wanted to let you know about in the Raleigh area, Charlotte and Greensboro.

•Thursday, October 7 at 5 PM — please join us for an Action to End the Militarization of Afghanistan. Nine years after the US invaded Afghanistan, we gather to mourn the deaths of Americans and Afghanis and call for an end to reliance on military solutions. Join us to commemorate the loss of lives and treasure and call for peaceful alternatives to war.  Community United Church of Christ, 814 Dixie Tr., corner of Wade Ave. Contact: Sandy Irving, 919-787-2254.

• October 16 — Great Schools In Wake Fall Forum, “Cost and Consequences: What’s at Stake for Wake?”  NC State University’s McKimmon Center, Raleigh.  Perhaps the most contentious issue in local politics in the middle of the state is the Wake County School Board’s rescinding of socioeconomic diversity policies which proponents call “neighborhood schools” and critics say amount to “re-segregation.” This issue is not only local, sadly.  Similar initiatives are being considered in several counties across the state, and have already been implemented in Mecklenburg County, so it is important that we study the issue, wherever we live. To register, go to http://wakeupwakecounty.com/cms/event/october-16-FallForum.

• October 20—22, Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh — Dr. Terrence Rynne, PhD, author of Gandhi & Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolence and founder of the Marquette University Center for Peacemaking, will be presenting an exploration of the life of Jesus and the teachings of Gandhi.   Dr. Rynne’s tour is supported by Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, the Baptist Peace Fellowship, the Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Peace Alliance, and North Carolina Peace Action.

• Charlotte – 10/20 Piedmont U.U. Church, 9704 Mallard Creek Road, 7 pm, Mimi Davis, 704-499-3918 or davisxyz@hotmail.com.

• Greensboro – details TBA, contact John Heuer, 919-444-3823.

• Raleigh – Community United Church of Christ, 814 Dixie Trail,  27607 at corner of Wade Ave. , contact John Heuer, 919-444-3823.

Thanks for the important work you do.

— David LaMotte, Program Associate for Peace

About Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Aleta Payne first joined the Council staff in the spring of 2001 as the Communications Associate. She continues to oversee that work along with development, represents the Council in several partnership efforts, and serves in other administrative roles, as well. Aleta is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in government and foreign affairs and spent much of her early career as a journalist. She has three young adult sons who continue to come home to Cary for dinner, or at least groceries, and two young adult terrier-mix dogs who keep the nest from feeling too empty.