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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Improving the State of North Carolina

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees”~Isaiah 10:1 The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) just finished its 2018 short session without passing legislation that would […]

Improving the State of North Carolina

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees”~Isaiah 10:1 The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) just finished its 2018 short session without passing legislation that would […]

Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing and does not give them their wages. Jeremiah […]

Wise Folks Build Their House on the Rock

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing and does not give them their wages. Jeremiah […]

Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

In this Easter season of the Christian church, we have just celebrated Resurrection Sunday and the joy we feel that Jesus overcame death.  However, my preacher, the Rev. Betty Connette […]

Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

In this Easter season of the Christian church, we have just celebrated Resurrection Sunday and the joy we feel that Jesus overcame death.  However, my preacher, the Rev. Betty Connette […]

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Many in our state are celebrating 10 years of no executions and putting out a call for no more killings in our name.  Patrick O’Neil a leading abolitionist in our […]

North Carolina Passes a Decade with No Executions

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Many in our state are celebrating 10 years of no executions and putting out a call for no more killings in our name.  Patrick O’Neil a leading abolitionist in our […]

Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical Teaching

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Don’t charge interest when you lend money to any of my people who are in need.” –Exodus 22:25 – Contemporary English Version Payday lending is a debt trap for the […]

Payday Lending is Opposite Biblical Teaching

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Don’t charge interest when you lend money to any of my people who are in need.” –Exodus 22:25 – Contemporary English Version Payday lending is a debt trap for the […]

Safety is Imperative to Worker Justice

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Worker Memorial Day is April 28, a day when we remember workers who have lost their lives providing goods (buildings, roads, food, clothing, etc) and services (caring for our children, […]

Safety is Imperative to Worker Justice

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Worker Memorial Day is April 28, a day when we remember workers who have lost their lives providing goods (buildings, roads, food, clothing, etc) and services (caring for our children, […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion […]

Shopping with Meaning

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Pope Francis has offered us a message encouraging us to actions that reflects a commitment to dignity and respect for all workers. As the Advent season approaches, gift giving becomes […]

Shopping with Meaning

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Pope Francis has offered us a message encouraging us to actions that reflects a commitment to dignity and respect for all workers. As the Advent season approaches, gift giving becomes […]

Workers Deserve Dignity and Respect

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Monday, September 7 is Labor Day when we should honor the workers in our community with dignity and respect. The Social Creed for the 21st century, a document endorsed by […]

Workers Deserve Dignity and Respect

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Monday, September 7 is Labor Day when we should honor the workers in our community with dignity and respect. The Social Creed for the 21st century, a document endorsed by […]

Priorities and the Jet that Ate the Budget

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

A recent article in Raleigh’s News and Observer focused on the F-35 jet. The American Friends Service Committee calls this weapon system the “plane that ate the budget” and puts […]

Priorities and the Jet that Ate the Budget

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

A recent article in Raleigh’s News and Observer focused on the F-35 jet. The American Friends Service Committee calls this weapon system the “plane that ate the budget” and puts […]

Advocate for Family-Sustaining Living Wages and the Right to Organize

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

According to Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), “four million fast food workers across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Many workers are standing up for $15 per hour and […]

Advocate for Family-Sustaining Living Wages and the Right to Organize

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

According to Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), “four million fast food workers across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Many workers are standing up for $15 per hour and […]

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.”  Justice issues can also make such good economic sense that we cannot afford not […]

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.”  Justice issues can also make such good economic sense that we cannot afford not […]

NC Bread for the World Conference, March 28

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

When you think of hunger in our state — where one in four children lives in a food insecure family — we wonder what Jesus would have us do to “give […]

NC Bread for the World Conference, March 28

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

When you think of hunger in our state — where one in four children lives in a food insecure family — we wonder what Jesus would have us do to “give […]

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Now that Epiphany is over, we are looking back on Advent and Christmas, and remembering our celebrations — special time with family, special foods or gifts.  An article in the […]

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Now that Epiphany is over, we are looking back on Advent and Christmas, and remembering our celebrations — special time with family, special foods or gifts.  An article in the […]

Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate wage to every American whether he [or she] is a hospital worker, laundry worker, […]

Workers and Justice — A Call to All People of Faith

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate wage to every American whether he [or she] is a hospital worker, laundry worker, […]

National Priorities — What Would Jesus Say?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Inequality for All,” a documentary with former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, considers the priorities of the US over the last century and offers some interesting observations. When has our country […]

National Priorities — What Would Jesus Say?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Inequality for All,” a documentary with former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, considers the priorities of the US over the last century and offers some interesting observations. When has our country […]

Will your Church be a Voice to Expand Medicaid for NC?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the […]

Will your Church be a Voice to Expand Medicaid for NC?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the […]

Farmworkers in NC

Farmworkers — God’s Family Supplying Our Food

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

We have all heard about farmworkers who supply us with cheap food but cannot afford food for their own families. This is a contradiction to God’s world of abundance with enough for […]

Farmworkers — God’s Family Supplying Our Food

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

We have all heard about farmworkers who supply us with cheap food but cannot afford food for their own families. This is a contradiction to God’s world of abundance with enough for […]

Common Sense Economics — How the Church Can Help

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Bad news about how we treat hourly workers consumes our headlines daily. Half of fast food workers need public aid.  Tipped workers in the US make $2.13 an hour as base pay […]

Common Sense Economics — How the Church Can Help

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Bad news about how we treat hourly workers consumes our headlines daily. Half of fast food workers need public aid.  Tipped workers in the US make $2.13 an hour as base pay […]

Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral injury after War — What Faith Communities Can Do

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

The North Carolina Soul Repair conference took place March 6 and 7. It was sponsored by many faith communities, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina, Quaker House, […]

Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral injury after War — What Faith Communities Can Do

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

The North Carolina Soul Repair conference took place March 6 and 7. It was sponsored by many faith communities, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina, Quaker House, […]

Becoming a More Peaceful Nation

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Bipartisanship between North Carolina’s Senators Burr and Hagan does occasionally show through — but why and for what?  The willingness of our NC Senators and others in Washington to come […]

Becoming a More Peaceful Nation

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Bipartisanship between North Carolina’s Senators Burr and Hagan does occasionally show through — but why and for what?  The willingness of our NC Senators and others in Washington to come […]

Human Dignity and Wages—Are We Stealing?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

As Christians, we are called to pay just wages. In Scripture, the Book of Timothy says, “The laborer deserves [their] wages.” James reminds us that fraudulent pay reaches God’s ears, […]

Human Dignity and Wages—Are We Stealing?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

As Christians, we are called to pay just wages. In Scripture, the Book of Timothy says, “The laborer deserves [their] wages.” James reminds us that fraudulent pay reaches God’s ears, […]

Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy Assistance

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

What does the Lord require of you? Christians are very familiar with the Micah 6:8 verse where we are required to “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to […]

Sequestration Cuts 300,000 Families from Energy Assistance

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

What does the Lord require of you? Christians are very familiar with the Micah 6:8 verse where we are required to “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to […]

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

With Halloween upon us and holiday baking not far behind, think in terms of fair-trade chocolate and other ingredients for sharing and for cooking. According to Vince Isner in the October […]

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

With Halloween upon us and holiday baking not far behind, think in terms of fair-trade chocolate and other ingredients for sharing and for cooking. According to Vince Isner in the October […]

Holy Discontentment: Lifting Your Voice and Letting Your Little Light Shine

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break […]

Holy Discontentment: Lifting Your Voice and Letting Your Little Light Shine

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break […]

When I was a Child, I Spoke with Hunger Pains

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

One in four children in North Carolina is at-risk of hunger. Yet the House of Representatives will soon take up a bill that will cut $40 billion from the Supplemental […]

When I was a Child, I Spoke with Hunger Pains

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

One in four children in North Carolina is at-risk of hunger. Yet the House of Representatives will soon take up a bill that will cut $40 billion from the Supplemental […]

Federal Spending: Are You Concerned, Confused or Both?

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is back in session.  Are you concerned about how your federal tax dollars are being spent, are you confused or both? President Obama notes that the average CEO has […]

Federal Spending: Are You Concerned, Confused or Both?

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is back in session.  Are you concerned about how your federal tax dollars are being spent, are you confused or both? President Obama notes that the average CEO has […]

Medicare Turns 48 on July 30

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Dozens of organizations across the country are planning events to celebrate Medicare on or around the program’s 48th birthday on July 30. The North Carolina Council of Churches is among […]

Medicare Turns 48 on July 30

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Dozens of organizations across the country are planning events to celebrate Medicare on or around the program’s 48th birthday on July 30. The North Carolina Council of Churches is among […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a […]

A Challenge for People of Faith: Contact Congress like Pentagon Contractors Do

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

The Coalition on Human Needs is sharing sequester impacts and challenging people of faith to raise their voices for the less fortunate. Real cuts are harming our most vulnerable children. We […]

A Challenge for People of Faith: Contact Congress like Pentagon Contractors Do

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

The Coalition on Human Needs is sharing sequester impacts and challenging people of faith to raise their voices for the less fortunate. Real cuts are harming our most vulnerable children. We […]

Childhood Poverty is a Disease

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Pediatrician and author Perri Klass has written a powerful essay on childhood poverty as a disease. She writes in part: Toxic stress is the heavy hand of early poverty, scripting […]

Childhood Poverty is a Disease

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Pediatrician and author Perri Klass has written a powerful essay on childhood poverty as a disease. She writes in part: Toxic stress is the heavy hand of early poverty, scripting […]

NC Legislators Can Reconsider and Expand Medicaid

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Early in the 2013 legislative session for North Carolina, our legislators decided not to expand Medicaid as allowed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In declining to accept this expansion, […]

NC Legislators Can Reconsider and Expand Medicaid

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Early in the 2013 legislative session for North Carolina, our legislators decided not to expand Medicaid as allowed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In declining to accept this expansion, […]

NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

In keeping with its mission of supporting peace, unity and social justice, the Council recently has signed on to three letters involving issues being addressed at the federal level. We […]

NC Council of Churches Supports National Groups to Assist the Less Fortunate

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

In keeping with its mission of supporting peace, unity and social justice, the Council recently has signed on to three letters involving issues being addressed at the federal level. We […]

Keep Telling Congress the Sequester is Immoral

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

At the Child Poverty Summit in Durham earlier this year, we were reminded that 25% of North Carolina children live in poverty. The National Council of Churches is reminding us […]

Keep Telling Congress the Sequester is Immoral

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

At the Child Poverty Summit in Durham earlier this year, we were reminded that 25% of North Carolina children live in poverty. The National Council of Churches is reminding us […]

Putting a Face on Legislation

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our state and nation are in a time of civil discord. My own preacher, the Rev. Betty Connette, challenged us a few weeks ago to be Citizens of Heaven and to […]

Putting a Face on Legislation

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our state and nation are in a time of civil discord. My own preacher, the Rev. Betty Connette, challenged us a few weeks ago to be Citizens of Heaven and to […]

Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal Cuts

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

On March 1, new federal cuts will begin to take effect. If nothing is done, many hundreds of thousands of people will be hurt by across-the-board cuts to education, job […]

Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal Cuts

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

On March 1, new federal cuts will begin to take effect. If nothing is done, many hundreds of thousands of people will be hurt by across-the-board cuts to education, job […]

For the Good of All God’s Children — Accept Federal Money Offered to NC

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of […]

For the Good of All God’s Children — Accept Federal Money Offered to NC

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of […]

Raleigh City Council Approves Bring The War Dollars Home Proclamation

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

I was thrilled to attend the Raleigh City Council meeting on January 15 where Council members passed a Bring the War Dollars Home proclamation to send to our North Carolina […]

Raleigh City Council Approves Bring The War Dollars Home Proclamation

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

I was thrilled to attend the Raleigh City Council meeting on January 15 where Council members passed a Bring the War Dollars Home proclamation to send to our North Carolina […]

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ […]

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ […]

Worker Justice Leader in the Triangle This Week

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Kim Bobo, a religious and workers’ rights activist and executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice, will meet with other faith and worker rights activists in the Triangle this week to […]

Worker Justice Leader in the Triangle This Week

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Kim Bobo, a religious and workers’ rights activist and executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice, will meet with other faith and worker rights activists in the Triangle this week to […]

Tweet on Behalf of Children in Poverty

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Half in Ten reminds us that one in five children in the US lives in poverty (sadly, it is one in four in North Carolina) yet the presidential candidates are […]

Tweet on Behalf of Children in Poverty

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Half in Ten reminds us that one in five children in the US lives in poverty (sadly, it is one in four in North Carolina) yet the presidential candidates are […]

Urge Congress to Promote the Common Good, Protect the Vulnerable

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Laypeople, clergy and organizational leaders can urge Congress to protect programs vital to vulnerable people as well as to protect the country’s economic security by e-mailing their elected leaders or signing […]

Urge Congress to Promote the Common Good, Protect the Vulnerable

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Laypeople, clergy and organizational leaders can urge Congress to protect programs vital to vulnerable people as well as to protect the country’s economic security by e-mailing their elected leaders or signing […]