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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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The Plank in Your Eye

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As followers of the Prince of Peace, Christians are not always particularly peaceful people, which is what makes North Carolina’s return to the national stage as a foothold for intolerance both unsurprising and deeply troubling.

The ease with which a Christian group would condemn another religion denies our own legacy as well as the work we still need to do.

For any Christian who needs help seeing past the plank in their own eye, some of our faithful friends have put together an excellent starting place.

In addition, a piece by a North Carolina pastor published in Sojourners four years ago appears painfully prescient now.

Our responsibility as people of faith to live into the Gospel call for peace, love, compassion, and justice is critically needed. May we be mindful of the times we have and will continue to fall short and work to be better children of God and better sisters and brothers to one another.

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.