2024 Advent Guide: Hope is Near

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Blessings of Thanksgiving

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light,

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild,

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the Beauty of the Earth, Lyrics by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint

~Thanksgiving Greetings from the NC Council of Churches~
Rose, Aleta, Susannah, Joy, Shannon, Jennie, Ashley, Monica, Jennifer, Steve, Sandy,
Hana, Austin, Nicole, and Brian

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.