Ashes to Beauty
Ashes to Beauty
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; […]
By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator
by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
Date: Epiphany 4 – Feb. 2, 2014
Topic: The Beatitudes
Focus Text: Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes reflect the eschatological – or ultimate – nature of Jesus’ mission and proclaim the effects of the establishment of God’s rule. They list eschatological reversals for the unfortunate and eschatological rewards for the virtuous. It would be a mistake, however, to see the beatitudes as having only future significance. In fact, the first (5:3) and last (5:10) of the sayings are in the present tense. By bookending these future promises with the present tense, Matthew emphasizes the imminence of the Kingdom.
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By chris
by chris
By Jay Davis, Rougemont United Methodist Church
In 1959, I graduated from Central High School in Charlotte in what I believe was the first integrated graduating class in the state. A brave young African American named Gus Roberts suffered two years of living hell to make that kind of dramatic progress for North Carolina. I was not among the students that hit him or spat on him or verbally assaulted him during that time. I, also, was not one of those who befriended him, or supported him, or stood up for him. At least once during those two years I could have said to the bullies attacking him, “Leave him alone. He is not bothering you,” but I didn’t. By my silence I, in effect, held the coats of the cruel students that daily accosted Gus. In later years I would be haunted by that silence, but, at that point in my life, my eyes were blind to the evils of prejudice and racism.
By chris
by chris
Date: Epiphany 3 – Jan. 26, 2014
Topic: The Unity of the Church
Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The list of issues facing the Corinthian church included ethnic diversity, economic disparity, geographical and cultural difference, allegiances to different spiritual leaders, and theological disagreements as well as sinful behavior like idolatry and sexual immorality. Despite the historical gap between Paul’s day and the present, these remain common challenges to church unity.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
By Leigh Sanders, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh
In the beginning, I was hesitant to attend Moral Mondays because I thought it was a strictly religious response and not being devoutly anything, I assumed I wasn’t invited. Then I attended a Moral Monday meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh and understood that not only was I invited, I was late!
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
I am a social worker by profession and am especially concerned about cuts to health care for as many as 500,000 particularly vulnerable people in North Carolina. I am confused by politicians who say people should be allowed to have guns, and those who are mentally ill should seek treatment. How are they going to do that when hospitals and other treatment options are having their budgets cut, thus fewer resources are available?
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By chris
by chris
By Rev. William Jeffries, retired United Methodist Minister, Durham
It has been a refreshing experience to participate in Moral Monday rallies. It has given voice to those who are frustrated by the North Carolina General Assembly’s turning the clock backward on social programs.
A key to reversing this “race to the bottom” is rescuing the elections process from suppressive measures, so that young, elderly, and poor voters do not have their votes denied
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
The Sylva Herald
“Our congregation is committed to protecting the health of our members, and Strive to Revive helps us take this commitment to the next level,” said the Rev. Avery Brown, church pastor. “With more than 50-75 people attending our church each week, we have the potential to save lives and make a real difference in our community.”Strive to Revive kicked off in Charlotte in 2010 by awarding 20 organizations with AEDs and CPR training. BCBSNC, the North Carolina Council of Churches, the American Red Cross and Carney are committed to expanding the program statewide by distributing AEDs and providing CPR training to places of worship across North Carolina with the goal of reaching all 100 counties.
By chris
by chris
On June 10, I chose to exercise my Constitutional right to petition my legislature, to express my concerns about legislation they had passed and were considering. To be clear, we did not go there to be arrested, we went to present our grievances to the legislature. I chose to remain standing when the police ordered us to disperse, and I was arrested, handcuffed, and brought to the Wake County Detention Center. My reasons for feeling so strongly are many.
By chris
by chris
Date: Baptism of the Lord – Jan. 12, 2014
Topic: Racism & Reconciliation
Focus Text: Acts 10:34-43
This joining and reconciliation of people, Jews and gentiles, but also strangers and enemies of all kinds, has already begun with the work of Christ. In Christ, God invites us on the journey of reconciliation, the same journey of the church in Acts: a journey that includes the hard work of speaking someone else’s language (Pentecost), sharing food, resources, money, and space (Acts 2), transgressing social divides (Acts 10), dismantling discrimination (Acts 6:1-6), forming new intimacy and identity (Acts 11:19-26), and speaking out against injustice (Gal. 2:11-14).
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
I am the vicar of a small Episcopal congregation in Elkin. When I first heard about Moral Mondays, I yearned to participate, but time was short and Raleigh was almost three hours away. As I reflected on this, I realized that one didn’t have to go to Raleigh to participate — that we could have our own Moral Monday in Elkin. So I sent an email to the congregation and another to the local ministerial association inviting folks to join me and our senior warden on a street corner in Elkin on the following Monday, June 10, at 5:00.
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By North Carolina Council of Churches
by North Carolina Council of Churches
Statement on Guaranteeing Suffrage, the Right to Vote Approved December 10, 2013 by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches The ability of those who have traditionally […]
By chris
by chris
In these waning days of 2013, when the outlook for winning comprehensive immigration reform looks rather bleak in the short term, many of you have been asking me: what can we do?
While the pace of progress on immigration reform has been appallingly slow, we need to keep speaking up and taking action to show elected officials that this movement isn’t going away. I will be participating in the North Carolina Fast for Immigrant Families on December 17.
Here is a detailed invitation by our friends at FaithAction International House.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By chris
by chris
Date: Christmas 1 – Dec. 29, 2013
Topic: Hope for Refugees
Focus Text: Matthew 2:13-23
This story reminds us both of the circumstances of refugees and displaced peoples and of Israel’s story of suffering and hope, bondage and deliverance. As followers of Jesus we are also listeners to the story of Israel, because his story is their story. To listen to Israel—to hear her story—is to listen to the suffering of slavery, exile, and diaspora. Yet, it is also to listen to a story of God’s faithfulness in spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s deliverance in the face of their persecution.
By chris
by chris
It has been very gratifying to meet fellow health-care reform advocates, including Physicians for a National Health Program and Health Care for All NC members, on Halifax Mall on the several Mondays I managed to make it. Some of you helped hold our banner. Others, like our treasurer, Robin Lane, addressed the 1,000 or so participants from the podium. My own experience, when I was arrested on June 3, was very personal.
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Willona Stallings, NC Council of Churches, Raleigh
I had the pleasure of joining a distinct group of social activists at a Moral Monday rally in downtown Raleigh. I decided to participate because my faith calls me to care for the least among us and to stand on the right side of justice. Also, the fact that so many people had traveled from near and far to have their voices heard was a great motivating factor for me.
I live and work in Raleigh, just minutes from Halifax Mall – so if my brothers and sisters could take the time to catch a bus, make a sign or invite a friend along, surely I could do the same.
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By chris
by chris
By Rev. Robert Kennel, Covenant Christian Church, Cary
Moral Mondays helped me maintain some sanity through this unbelievable legislative session. I was able to make nine Moral Mondays but did not get arrested because my wife sincerely asked me not to, perhaps because we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in July.
William Barber is a friend and a fellow Disciple of Christ clergy brother. He has done a great job in leading the organization of effort and in keeping it on target and respectful. Over the spring, I met both old friends and new friends who have their heads screwed on straight and with whom I will work on upcoming elections to right so many wrongs.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
By chris
by chris
Date: Advent 4 – Dec. 22, 2013
Topic: Vulnerable Mothers
Focus Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Drawing on the Old Testament, James speaks of the prophets who endured suffering and, for their steadfastness, are called “blessed.” This is the same word used in the beatitudes, another text which brings comfort to those who are suffering or longing for justice in light of God’s future reign. James also goes on to invoke Job, a proverbial figure of faithfulness and long-suffering in times of trial. These figures exemplify faithfulness even in the face of oppression.
By Amanda Rauh-Bieri, Duke Divinity School Intern
by Amanda Rauh-Bieri, Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
by chris
By Laurel Green, Charlotte
There is a bond between people who are arrested together performing civil disobedience. It grows from a soil of shared experience and blossoms into a garden of interwoven visions.
There are way too many reasons I felt compelled to take a stand as a part of Moral Mondays. From the privatization trend in our state to the outrageous intrusions on women’s choices, from the dismantling of safety nets to the destruction of our environment, to the attempts at ripping away progress in civil rights, to the shredding of our public education system, the list is long and horrifying. North Carolina is being used as a petri dish right now by groups like ALEC; if we cannot stop them, surely other states will follow.
By chris
NC Policy Watch
This week, House Speaker John Boehner stated flatly that there will not be any conference with the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill. We’re hearing one excuse after another about how immigration reform is too complicated and there isn’t enough time for a vote. After months of dithering, it’s clear that House leaders are hoping to run out the clock on immigration. If it holds true that the House doesn’t vote on any other immigration bills, then an amendment to deport DREAM-eligible immigrants — which passed with overwhelming GOP support in June — will be the only immigration measure to have received a vote on the floor of the House in 2013.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
Rev. Ron LaRocque, Metropolitan Community Church of Winston-Salem
On May 20, I drove from my home in Winston-Salem to Raleigh to participate in the Moral Monday campaign. Part of my participation included voluntarily committing an act of nonviolent civil disobedience which resulted in my arrest. I admit I was not as calm on the inside as many of those arrested alongside me appeared to be on the outside. Still, the anxiety I experienced was a personal sacrifice I was willing to make in order to live out my faith.
By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By chris
by chris
Date: Advent 3 – Dec. 15, 2013
Topic: Resisting Oppression
Focus Text: James 5:7-10
Drawing on the Old Testament, James speaks of the prophets who endured suffering and, for their steadfastness, are called “blessed.” This is the same word used in the beatitudes, another text which brings comfort to those who are suffering or longing for justice in light of God’s future reign. James also goes on to invoke Job, a proverbial figure of faithfulness and long-suffering in times of trial. These figures exemplify faithfulness even in the face of oppression.
By chris
by chris
By Rev. Susan Steinberg, United Church of Chapel Hill
“Let the little children come to me, do not hinder them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” As a pastor whose ministry has focused on children and their families for the past decade, these words of Jesus guide me, challenge me, and inspire me. They are words I strive to live by each day, words that shape my pastoral identity and inform my responses to events in the public sphere.
By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
by chris
More than 10,000 people of faith committed to the FAST Action, 40 days Prayer and Fasting for Immigration Reform. As we closed the 40 days on October 18th, we recognize the need for action and escalation is only growing as we approach a shrinking timeline for legislation.We must continue to lift up the moral imperative of immigrants’ rights and immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.
Now many people of faith from all traditions are joining labor, immigrant and community leaders in setting the moral compass and raising our voices. Many faith organizations are joining the Fast for Family Unity beginning November 12th.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By chris
by chris
Date: Advent 2 – Dec. 8, 2013
Topic: Responsible Leadership
Focus Text: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
If we are willing to read Psalm 72 with the early church as pointing to Christ and his kingship, we may see in the ministry of Jesus concrete steps which the church can take in serving the poor and needy among us in our local communities. In Jesus’ ministry and teaching, we come to glimpse a picture of the Kingdom of God with its eternal justice for the poor.
By chris
by chris
I was amazed with the commonly made references to the civil rights movement. I was surprised to see many families with little kids. And most of all I did not expect to see policemen smiling and talking to the demonstrators in a friendly way. I could hardly believe in what I saw. I kept asking myself what it was. How- ever, in time, my initial disbelief and skepticism gradually gave way to a different feeling. I realized that this was a good example of one of the ways how stable, democratic society talks, conducts inner dialogue in a peaceful way initiated long ago by Gandhi, then carried on by Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the others.
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By chris
by chris
Because the season of Advent is a time of awaiting the Christ child and the risen Christ, it is a perfect time to think about social justice issues. Christ’s ministry, which is explored in other seasons of the Christian year, focuses on lifting up those whom society regarded as worthless or weak, including the poor, the ill, the foreigner, women, and children. Social justice was at the core of Jesus’ ministry. Based on the Advent readings for Lectionary Year A, this guide will assist you in slowing down this season by taking 20-30 minutes one night a week to focus on social justice.
By chris
by chris
For weeks, I heard about Moral Mondays.
Finally, I had time to go yesterday. I’ve been to several demonstrations, but nothing like this.This was like a rock concert for people who care about what’s going on in North Carolina and around the country. There were thousands of people there.One of the things I like best about going to any kind of demonstration or participating in different forms of activism is that I get to meet a lot of people and talk to them. One of the things that’s great about going to a huge event like yesterday’s is that people come out and demonstrate for a variety of reasons.
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
Date: Advent 1 – Dec. 1, 2013
Topic: Peace
Focus Text: Isaiah 2:1-5
To take Isaiah’s words to heart is to envision a world without hunger, poverty, war, violence, or fear. The prophet’s oracle challenges our endless pursuit for bigger and better weapons, the perpetuation of hatred and violence, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor, and our insatiable appetite for more resources and power.
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By chris
by chris
By Rev. Craig Schaub, Parkway United Church of Christ, Winston-Salem
We were tired, hot, and hungry as we wove our way slowly through the crowd to head back to our car for the journey home. Our eight-year-old daughter was holding my hand and looked up. She said, “Dad, that was sort of cool.” On our way from the final Moral Monday in Raleigh back to Winston-Salem, she fell asleep in the backseat. Arriving home, she put on her pajamas, hunted for a book in her bookshelf, and thrust it before me. “I want you to read this to me before I fall back asleep.” It was a book about how representative government works. Not my idea of a typical bedtime story, but clearly what she wanted. Something was planted within her that night. It was enough for me.
By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By chris
by chris
After attending several Moral Monday protests at the NC Legislature, I finally decided to join the ranks of those who “trespass” and “fail to disperse on command.” I was by no means a groundbreaker. I may have been the 800th to face this encounter with the law while expressing disagreement with policies that punish the poor and reward the wealthy.
On top of refusing federal unemployment benefits and Medicaid to people who are economically vulnerable, our legislators are setting up obstacles to voting that will cost millions of dollars to enforce while disenfranchising those who fail to jump the additional hurdles.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
By chris
by chris
By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
The three most important people in my life happen to be young, African American men. None was born in North Carolina, but all have lived here most of their lives.
Precious as they are to me, they are also beloved children of God. Their Creator values them as much as God values anyone else, regardless of skin color, wealth, age or any other factor intertwined with recent human decisions about who gained and who lost in our state.
By chris
by chris
I was both excited and nervous as I unpacked my boxes in the parsonage to begin my first year as a pastor. It had been a busy day with people coming in and out of the house, but after a while I was sitting alone and I looked around my new home trying to decide how I was going to arrange my furniture. As I moved and pushed my furniture about, I felt prompted to look out through the front door to observe the community in which I would be living. I peered out of the window and there was a house diagonally across the street that caught my attention.
By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator
By chris
by chris
I am an educated, financially secure, slightly-beyond-middle-age, healthy, white, heterosexual, southern male. In other words I am a person of privilege. As a teenager in the 1960s, I lived in Birmingham, Alabama and was an almost eyewitness to the events that occurred there during that era’s civil rights struggle.
I am also a person of faith, and my faith tradition tells me that my privileged status is a gift that carries with it certain responsibilities. Primary among those responsibilities is to care for those whom we refer to as the least of these…those on the margins, the ostracized, the powerless, the voiceless.
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org