Celebrate Our 90th Anniversary with us!

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Blessings of the Christmas Season

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

This son of refugees

in swaddling clothes

has walked in his mother’s womb

through drought

and hunger

vast-eyed

staring

and skinless.

Only this child is flame

born in the halo of pain

at the center

of peace.

—- Sr. Evelyn Mattern

Blessings of the season from the staff and program volunteers of the North Carolina Council of Churches
George, Rose, Aleta, Chris, Willona, Kathy, Susannah, Joy, Allison, Shannon,
Donna, Trinh, Megan, Sandy, Rollin, Justin and Scott

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.