Council Voices

NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40

June 26, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For at least the next month, drivers along I-40 West between Statesville and Hickory will see an important reminder of God’s directive to be a welcoming presence to the most […]

NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40

June 26, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For at least the next month, drivers along I-40 West between Statesville and Hickory will see an important reminder of God’s directive to be a welcoming presence to the most […]

Video: What’s the Council Staff Up to this Summer?

June 25, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

It has been a busy year and is shaping up to be an even busier summer. We hope you’ll support our work.

Video: What’s the Council Staff Up to this Summer?

June 25, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

It has been a busy year and is shaping up to be an even busier summer. We hope you’ll support our work.

Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So

June 22, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Members of the United States Senate have released their proposed health care plan, all 142 pages of the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017” developed in secrecy, with a score […]

Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So

June 22, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Members of the United States Senate have released their proposed health care plan, all 142 pages of the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017” developed in secrecy, with a score […]

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short

June 22, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican chiefs to try to make a fundamentally flawed state budget appear, well, not that […]

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short

June 22, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican chiefs to try to make a fundamentally flawed state budget appear, well, not that […]

Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling

June 21, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As the Senate continues its secret deliberations on a health care plan that will effect all Americans, the potential impact on one of the most vulnerable groups in our society […]

Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling

June 21, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As the Senate continues its secret deliberations on a health care plan that will effect all Americans, the potential impact on one of the most vulnerable groups in our society […]

Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day

June 19, 2017 By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

First celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20. The day marks a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and recognize the contributions of […]

Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day

June 19, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

First celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20. The day marks a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and recognize the contributions of […]

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

June 14, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward […]

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

June 14, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward […]

Our Unceasing Prayer Must Be for Peace

June 14, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The tragedy of gun violence in this country seems unending. We pray for those impacted, whether in a South Carolina church two years ago, a Florida club one year ago, […]

Our Unceasing Prayer Must Be for Peace

June 14, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The tragedy of gun violence in this country seems unending. We pray for those impacted, whether in a South Carolina church two years ago, a Florida club one year ago, […]

Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now

June 14, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Republicans who took control of North Carolina’s General Assembly with the elections of 2010 were, it could be said, licking their chops. They knew that when they came to […]

Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now

June 14, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Republicans who took control of North Carolina’s General Assembly with the elections of 2010 were, it could be said, licking their chops. They knew that when they came to […]

GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful

June 12, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The General Assembly leaders meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget are working with two deeply flawed proposals. As our friend Chris Fitzsimon at […]

GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful

June 12, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The General Assembly leaders meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget are working with two deeply flawed proposals. As our friend Chris Fitzsimon at […]

UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly

June 8, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE In separate, party-line votes on June 8, the state House and Senate rejected Gov. Cooper’s attempt to convene a special session for the purpose of redrawing legislative voting districts. […]

UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly

June 8, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7

June 7, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Representatives in the General Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are still needed against this bill. As our friends at NC Policy Watch reported, the […]

Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7

June 7, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Representatives in the General Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are still needed against this bill. As our friends at NC Policy Watch reported, the […]

Sanctuary as a Sacred Act

June 2, 2017 By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Photo courtesy of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Under President Trump’s recent executive orders, many people’s lives have changed, especially the lives of those who have come to North Carolina […]

Sanctuary as a Sacred Act

June 2, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Rolling Waters

June 2, 2017 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I headed north for my sister’s graduation. Being only a few hours away from Niagara Falls at that point, we decided to […]

Rolling Waters

June 2, 2017 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I headed north for my sister’s graduation. Being only a few hours away from Niagara Falls at that point, we decided to […]

Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement

June 1, 2017 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

We were already living in a time of profound consequence. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement means that while the needs of our endangered climate are increasing, […]

Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement

June 1, 2017 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2

June 1, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that weakens gun laws as National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaches. It is right up […]

Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2

June 1, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that weakens gun laws as National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaches. It is right up […]

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns

May 30, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would roll back existing gun safety laws. A version of the previously introduced H.B. 746 […]

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns

May 30, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would roll back existing gun safety laws. A version of the previously introduced H.B. 746 […]

We Are Love Warriors

May 28, 2017 By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

The exhilaration of Easter is fading into memory, and we are left with more routine matters. Unfortunately, the matters that are becoming more and more commonplace have frightening implications: tweets, threats, […]

We Are Love Warriors

May 28, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

The Plank in Your Eye

May 27, 2017 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 […]

The Plank in Your Eye

May 27, 2017 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 […]

Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map

May 25, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Following the elections of 2010 – tilted as they were by an intense right-wing pushback against President Barack Obama midway through his first term – Republicans in the N.C. General […]

Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map

May 25, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Following the elections of 2010 – tilted as they were by an intense right-wing pushback against President Barack Obama midway through his first term – Republicans in the N.C. General […]

Heal the Sick

May 24, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health care for all. The score from the Congressional Budget Office makes it undeniably clear […]

Heal the Sick

May 24, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For more than two decades, the NC Council of Churches has called for access to health care for all. The score from the Congressional Budget Office makes it undeniably clear […]

2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call

May 23, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House. The Washington Post provides two helpful graphics here and here. More is being written […]

2018 Budget Proposal is the Antithesis of our Call

May 23, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Plenty of analysis is already happening around the 2018 budget proposal out of the White House. The Washington Post provides two helpful graphics here and here. More is being written […]

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA

May 23, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Last week was a mixed bag for children and youth in terms of activity at the General Assembly. Among accomplishments was further progress on raising the age at which juveniles […]

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA

May 23, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Last week was a mixed bag for children and youth in terms of activity at the General Assembly. Among accomplishments was further progress on raising the age at which juveniles […]

Justice on Gerrymandering

May 22, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court affirms what many in North Carolina knew – the state’s congressional districts were deliberately drawn in 2011 to mute the voices of minority […]

Justice on Gerrymandering

May 22, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court affirms what many in North Carolina knew – the state’s congressional districts were deliberately drawn in 2011 to mute the voices of minority […]

Join the Council at Wild Goose!

May 22, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council is a sponsor of the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs this July. Members of the staff will be leading workshops and sharing resources. We hope to see […]

Join the Council at Wild Goose!

May 22, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council is a sponsor of the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs this July. Members of the staff will be leading workshops and sharing resources. We hope to see […]

What Gives Me Hope

May 22, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered at the NC Justice Center’s 2017 Defenders of Justice Awards where the Council was recognized for Grassroots Empowerment. In 1960 Terry Sanford ran for Governor of NC. By […]

What Gives Me Hope

May 22, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered at the NC Justice Center’s 2017 Defenders of Justice Awards where the Council was recognized for Grassroots Empowerment. In 1960 Terry Sanford ran for Governor of NC. By […]

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core

May 19, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide how much money North Carolina’s state government will spend, what it will be spent […]

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core

May 19, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide how much money North Carolina’s state government will spend, what it will be spent […]

2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18

May 15, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

About this time two years ago, I accepted the offer to become the next Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches. We agreed that I would spend two weeks […]

2017 Stand Up Sabbath — June 16-18

May 15, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

About this time two years ago, I accepted the offer to become the next Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches. We agreed that I would spend two weeks […]

Special Interest Altar Calls

May 11, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

By now, most of us have read “Dark Money” or heard enough about the subject it explores to recognize that money is suffocating our democracy. Add to this styptic environment […]

Special Interest Altar Calls

May 11, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

By now, most of us have read “Dark Money” or heard enough about the subject it explores to recognize that money is suffocating our democracy. Add to this styptic environment […]

Apply for PHW Collaborative by May 31 to be Eligible for June Mini-Grant

May 11, 2017 By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The next Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-grant Cycle will begin June 5. Interested congregations must apply to join the PHW Collaborative (previously PHW Certification) by May 31 to be […]

Apply for PHW Collaborative by May 31 to be Eligible for June Mini-Grant

May 11, 2017 by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The next Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-grant Cycle will begin June 5. Interested congregations must apply to join the PHW Collaborative (previously PHW Certification) by May 31 to be […]

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

May 11, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals, texts of bills, procedural histories, and recorded votes, go to the General Assembly website […]

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

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

The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond

May 8, 2017 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Multi-faith pilgrims on a moral high road unified to honor God’s creation at the Peoples Climate March last month on the National Mall. The event, which came as a crescendo […]

The People’s Climate March — Called to Respond

May 8, 2017 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Multi-faith pilgrims on a moral high road unified to honor God’s creation at the Peoples Climate March last month on the National Mall. The event, which came as a crescendo […]

Shepherds of Creation

May 8, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Sermon preached on May 7, 2017 at Church of the Nativity, Raleigh. When I was in kindergarten, we memorized the 23rd Psalm. Of course, it was the King James Version, […]

Shepherds of Creation

May 8, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Sermon preached on May 7, 2017 at Church of the Nativity, Raleigh. When I was in kindergarten, we memorized the 23rd Psalm. Of course, it was the King James Version, […]

Have You Downloaded the NC Council of Churches App?

May 5, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you haven’t, here’s a bit of encouragement from Council staff.

Have You Downloaded the NC Council of Churches App?

May 5, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you haven’t, here’s a bit of encouragement from Council staff.

House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than This

May 4, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The passage of the American Health Care Act by the House of Representatives reflects a political choice on a life-or-death matter. If House members truly believed that this was the […]

House Passage of AHCA — We are Better Than This

May 4, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The passage of the American Health Care Act by the House of Representatives reflects a political choice on a life-or-death matter. If House members truly believed that this was the […]

Urgent Action Alert: Please Call Congress about Health Care

May 4, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our allies at the NC Justice Center have put out the following action alert about efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As people of faith, we believe that we […]

Urgent Action Alert: Please Call Congress about Health Care

May 4, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our allies at the NC Justice Center have put out the following action alert about efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As people of faith, we believe that we […]

Shine a Light on Postpartum Depression This Mother’s Day

May 1, 2017 By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We often struggle to address mental health in our communities of faith. This Mother’s Day, as we honor those who bring forth life and contribute so much to our communities, […]

Shine a Light on Postpartum Depression This Mother’s Day

May 1, 2017 by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We often struggle to address mental health in our communities of faith. This Mother’s Day, as we honor those who bring forth life and contribute so much to our communities, […]

When the Good Samaritan is Your Neighbor

April 30, 2017 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

If you’re part of the Christian tradition then you have probably heard the story of the good Samaritan more times than you can count. A man is traveling along a […]

When the Good Samaritan is Your Neighbor

April 30, 2017 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

If you’re part of the Christian tradition then you have probably heard the story of the good Samaritan more times than you can count. A man is traveling along a […]

Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have Died

April 28, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered at the Workers’ Memorial, April 28, at the Old Capitol Building, Raleigh Micah 7:1-4, 6:8 God has always had a preferential option for the marginalized and the down […]

Workers’ Memorial: Remembering Those Who Have Died

April 28, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered at the Workers’ Memorial, April 28, at the Old Capitol Building, Raleigh Micah 7:1-4, 6:8 God has always had a preferential option for the marginalized and the down […]

Retiring Judge Stands Tall

April 27, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Top Republicans in the N.C. General Assembly now might well […]

Retiring Judge Stands Tall

April 27, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Top Republicans in the N.C. General Assembly now might well […]

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017

April 27, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [The deadlines for the introduction of most new bills have now passed, and we are in Crossover Week. By the end of the week, […]

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017

April 27, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [The deadlines for the introduction of most new bills have now passed, and we are in Crossover Week. By the end of the week, […]

Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea

April 25, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients contribute to sexual assault (23.1 percent of female and 5.4 percent of male undergraduates), […]

Guns on Campus Are a Bad Idea

April 25, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Two of the most volatile elements on a college campus are alcohol and hormones. These ingredients contribute to sexual assault (23.1 percent of female and 5.4 percent of male undergraduates), […]

Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in Congress

April 24, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The public is opposed to efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act, but some members of the U.S. House of Representatives seem determined to forge ahead anyway. The latest version […]

Efforts to Cut Health Care Continue in Congress

April 24, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The public is opposed to efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act, but some members of the U.S. House of Representatives seem determined to forge ahead anyway. The latest version […]

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice

April 24, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place 49 other states have found to be indefensible: only NC automatically prosecutes 16- and […]

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice

April 24, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place 49 other states have found to be indefensible: only NC automatically prosecutes 16- and […]

Science Must Matter to People of Faith

April 22, 2017 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Crowds are gathered on this Earth Day in Washington, D.C. and in cities across the country to march for science and protect the deeply held value of truth and facts. […]

Science Must Matter to People of Faith

April 22, 2017 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Crowds are gathered on this Earth Day in Washington, D.C. and in cities across the country to march for science and protect the deeply held value of truth and facts. […]

Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services

April 22, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

How many times do we have to say it? Well, it’s worth repeating – especially in the aftermath of recent income tax filing deadlines, when the subject becomes a sore […]

Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services

April 22, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

How many times do we have to say it? Well, it’s worth repeating – especially in the aftermath of recent income tax filing deadlines, when the subject becomes a sore […]

There’s an App for That

April 21, 2017 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

The Council is excited to announce the release of our free app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The current political climate has proven to be chaotic at times and […]

There’s an App for That

April 21, 2017 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

The Council is excited to announce the release of our free app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The current political climate has proven to be chaotic at times and […]

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017

April 21, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For the latest committee referrals and re-referrals, go to the General Assembly website www.ncleg.net. There you can also find the texts of bills, procedural […]

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017

April 21, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Do We Treat Workers as We Would Treat Jesus?

April 21, 2017 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?

April 21, 2017 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 […]

Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take Action

April 19, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Congressional leaders are still in their home states for their spring recess, but your voices are still important. Please attend town halls held by our elected leaders, and please request […]

Congress is on Recess but You Can Still Take Action

April 19, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Congressional leaders are still in their home states for their spring recess, but your voices are still important. Please attend town halls held by our elected leaders, and please request […]

SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25

April 18, 2017 By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly discussed SB 145, an anti-immigrant bill that would expand the 287g program, thereby allowing local law enforcement to […]

SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25

April 18, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

From Sour to Sweet

April 17, 2017 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Confession: I didn’t give anything up for Lent this year and I don’t feel bad about it. Instead, I baked loaves of sourdough bread every Sunday for communion at my […]

From Sour to Sweet

April 17, 2017 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

Confession: I didn’t give anything up for Lent this year and I don’t feel bad about it. Instead, I baked loaves of sourdough bread every Sunday for communion at my […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

April 17, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

April 17, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday

April 15, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Easter Sunday

April 15, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

Easter Greetings from the Council

April 15, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Sanctuary of West Raleigh Presbyterian Church as photographed by Martie Leming Maundy Thursday, 2017 Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life […]

Easter Greetings from the Council

April 15, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health

April 14, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina’s failure under Republican leadership to improve low-income residents’ access to health care via the Medicaid program has been like a persistent, throbbing pain in the state’s civic and […]

New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health

April 14, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

No More of This

April 14, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

In the final hours of the first day of the Triduum, these intense three days when Christians rehearse the events between Maundy Thursday and the Easter Vigil, the juxtaposition of […]

No More of This

April 14, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

In the final hours of the first day of the Triduum, these intense three days when Christians rehearse the events between Maundy Thursday and the Easter Vigil, the juxtaposition of […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Holy Saturday

April 14, 2017 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Holy Saturday

April 14, 2017 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Good Friday

April 13, 2017 By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Good Friday

April 13, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

A Day in the Life of….

April 13, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Preached on April 12 at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill Holy Week, this week, is the most intense week of the Christian year. The secular world might […]

A Day in the Life of….

April 13, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Preached on April 12 at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill Holy Week, this week, is the most intense week of the Christian year. The secular world might […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Maundy Thursday

April 12, 2017 By Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Maundy Thursday

April 12, 2017 by Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

April 10, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the Senate’s deadline for new bills has passed and the House’s deadline on non-money approaches. […]

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

April 10, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the Senate’s deadline for new bills has passed and the House’s deadline on non-money approaches. […]

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’

April 8, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Our national politics are in an ugly place, driven by an accelerating cycle of suspicion, accusation, blame, recrimination and retaliation. The circumstances by which Neil Gorsuch takes office as a […]

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’

April 8, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

NC Council of Churches to be Recognized as a Defender of Justice

April 7, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jesus mentions when discussing faith-based activity, “Do not sound a trumpet before you…so that [you] might be praised” (Matthew 6:2) and advises that those who work toward the Reign of […]

NC Council of Churches to be Recognized as a Defender of Justice

April 7, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jesus mentions when discussing faith-based activity, “Do not sound a trumpet before you…so that [you] might be praised” (Matthew 6:2) and advises that those who work toward the Reign of […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

April 6, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

April 6, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Let NC Legislators Know You Care about Creation

April 6, 2017 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

NC Interfaith Power and Light’s lay and faith leader network is at the General Assembly on April 6 until 4 p.m. for their Advocating with Compassion Day. Even if you cannot […]

Let NC Legislators Know You Care about Creation

April 6, 2017 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

NC Interfaith Power and Light’s lay and faith leader network is at the General Assembly on April 6 until 4 p.m. for their Advocating with Compassion Day. Even if you cannot […]

Standing on Our Heads

April 3, 2017 By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Sermon preached by the Rev. Jennifer Copeland on April 1, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, Mocksville for the Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women’s Legislative Day. For God’s […]

Standing on Our Heads

April 3, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

2017 Lenten Guide — Fifth Sunday

April 1, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

2017 Lenten Guide — Fifth Sunday

April 1, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For this year’s Lenten Guide, each member of the Council staff chose a verse from a favorite hymn to write about. We will post their reflections throughout Lent, for Ash […]

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’

April 1, 2017 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Call it a head-on collision between politics and principle. Is anyone surprised that politics prevailed? Yet here’s the twist that perhaps makes the outcome somewhat understandable, if no less regrettable. […]

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’

April 1, 2017 by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order

March 29, 2017 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress we have made over the past decade. In addition to directing the EPA to […]

Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order

March 29, 2017 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress we have made over the past decade. In addition to directing the EPA to […]

2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online

March 28, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For those who could not be with us at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh, video from portions of the day is available on our Facebook page. The morning […]

2017 Legislative Seminar — Thank You plus Worship and Awards Presentation Online

March 28, 2017 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For those who could not be with us at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Raleigh, video from portions of the day is available on our Facebook page. The morning […]

Action Needed Before Monday Night on Guns in Places of Worship

March 27, 2017 By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friends at North Carolinians Against Gun Violence have issued the alert below. Please note that it requires action before this evening, Monday, March 27. _________________________________________________________________________ We are continuing to […]