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Whispers and Shouts

February 11, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle to children’s chapel.

Sometimes God shouts. Through the amplified suffering of others, known or strangers, all created in the same image. Or through the aftermath of a cataclysmic election.

Lately, the lectionary readings have provided desperately needed whispers for me, reminders of what our faith promises.

On the third Sunday after Epiphany we were offered Isaiah and the 27th Psalm, promising light and a faithful stand against fear.

On the fourth Sunday, the Beatitudes. All about blessing, no blocking or banning.

On the fifth, back to lighting the world along with magnifying good works.

But there has also been some shouting. Balancing out my fears for the worst have been determined, energized advocates who won’t be minimized or hushed. Millions marching, flooding phone lines, refusing to pretend that the “official” message is normal.

In whatever way or place you hear God, may you continue to find reassurance and the motivation to act from a place of faith. We are in this for the long haul.

Today we march again.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Action Alert, Children & Youth, Christian Unity, Civil Liberties, Council News, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Elections, Environment, Equality & Reconciliation, Farmworkers, Fracking, Good Government, Gun Violence, Healthcare Reform, Housing, Immigration, Interfaith, LGBTQ, Living Wage, Mental Health, Moral Mondays, N.C. General Assembly, Organized Labor, Peace, People with Disabilities, Prophetic Voice, Public Education, Race/Ethnicity, Religion & Society, Rural Life, State Budget

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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Penny Hooper says

    February 11, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    So great to see you today at the Moral March! Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
    • Penny Hooper says

      February 11, 2017 at 5:46 pm

      Standing down is not an option!

      Reply
    • Aleta Payne, Deputy Executive Director says

      February 11, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      Always grateful to see you and Mark, Penny!! Thank you for your faithfulness to this work.

      Reply

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