The North Carolina Council of Churches has long cared about gun violence prevention — you would expect that from an organization that devotes much of its energy toward PEACE. A […]
Perhaps the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly have finally gotten the message: their decade-long efforts to rig the state’s congressional voting district boundaries in their party’s favor simply […]
When N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore called the House to order for its scheduled 8:30 a.m. session on Sept. 11, he made a fateful decision bearing not only on a […]
When N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore called the House to order for its scheduled 8:30 a.m. session on Sept. 11, he made a fateful decision bearing not only on a […]
If politics can be described as a contact sport, it’s perhaps fitting to say that when the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly went to court to defend the […]
If politics can be described as a contact sport, it’s perhaps fitting to say that when the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly went to court to defend the […]
If politics can be described as a contact sport, it’s perhaps fitting to say that when the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly went to court to defend the […]
Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health, and justice. We partner with faith communities […]
My name is Sarah Ogletree and I am the new Program Coordinator of NC Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL). I am grateful to work for an organization so committed to […]
It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the really big news involves the onset of football season – that our political systems […]
It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the really big news involves the onset of football season – that our political systems […]
Daniel Perrin has been interning with North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light this summer. He describes below what led him to this work and how he got connected to NCIPL. […]
Hundreds of thousands of migrants are seeking refuge and asylum in the United States. Many factors contribute to migration and cause people to knock on our country’s door. Political corruption, […]
Hundreds of thousands of migrants are seeking refuge and asylum in the United States. Many factors contribute to migration and cause people to knock on our country’s door. Political corruption, […]
Sermon on II Kings 6:8-23 delivered Sunday, July 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Durham. Who would pass up the chance to preach on this marvelous little story in Second […]
Sermon on II Kings 6:8-23 delivered Sunday, July 28 at First Presbyterian Church in Durham.Audio from Jennifer’s sermon Who would pass up the chance to preach on this marvelous little […]
It has been 10 years since Congress raised the minimum wage. Some states have raised their minimum without a federal mandate, but not North Carolina. This 10-year span follows on […]
It has been 10 years since Congress raised the minimum wage. Some states have raised their minimum without a federal mandate, but not North Carolina. This 10-year span follows on […]
Written by Vivian Taylor, Public Policy Intern with Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director The United States of America is on the verge of war with Iran. Long-standing tensions have been exacerbated […]
Thus says the Lord:For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment;because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of […]
You have to wonder: What would U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. tell that proud North Carolina gerrymanderer David Lewis if they ever came face to face, just the two […]
Not to belabor the obvious, but when North Carolina’s elected leaders craft a spending plan for state government, they take positions on many issues that have a moral dimension. And […]
The Mother Emanuel, Charleston, SC, shooting was four years ago today, June 17. The N.C. General Assembly Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 90 tomorrow, June 18. A favorable […]
While the headlines tell us about very real instances of violence against faith communities (a synagogue in Pittsburgh, a mosque in New Zealand, a sikh temple in Wisconsin, a church […]
NC No Torture has launched its Christian study addressing North Carolina’s involvement in the CIA’s Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation program. The study offers a guide for how to prepare, organize, […]
Introduced Bills CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 834 – Ban the Box would prohibit the state from asking a job applicant about his/her criminal history until that applicant had been selected for […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and […]
The people of North Carolina pay federal taxes. Our tax dollars help fund the 90 percent federal match on Medicaid expansion enrollees for states that have expanded Medicaid under the […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my […]
Remarks delivered at the Witness for Peace footwashing ceremony at the gates of Aero Contractors earlier today. Every year, all over the world, millions of Christians spend six intense weeks […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and […]
The Council is hiring a full-time Fund Development Coordinator. The full job description is posted below and at this link. Position: Fund Development Coordinator COUNCIL DESCRIPTION With more than eight […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and […]
INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 587 – Repeal Death Penalty would abolish the death penalty, and all prisoners currently on Death Row would be resentenced to life imprisonment without parole. […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. […]
INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE/PRISON REFORM HB 460/SB 545 – Fair Chance Hiring would require state agencies to reduce barriers to hiring people with a criminal history. Specific provisions include: Prohibits […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ […]
INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 422/SB 234 – Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Days is similar to the paid sick leave provisions of HB 46. (See RR, February 26.) Introduced […]
The following words were delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland on Friday, March 22 as the opening invocation of the North Carolina Association of Educators State Convention. Gracious and loving […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with […]
The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference earlier today on Medicaid expansion and raising awareness of the opioid crisis. In 1935 the North […]
Why was the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry 0n Torture convened, and what did it conclude after 18 months of investigation? Have state and local officials looked the other way […]
The following remarks were delivered by Jennifer Copeland as the opening invocation to the Raising Wages press conference held in the press room of the NC General Assembly this morning. […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where […]
Excerpted from the Council’s 2019 Lenten Reflection Guide for Lectionary Year C. Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their […]
North Carolina’s role in torture has come in the form of a government-private contract with a jet service located in Johnston County. When people hear about it for the first […]
INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 46 – Economic Security Act of 2019HB 46 is a collection of issues long of concern to workers and worker advocates. Specific provisions would: Increase […]
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to specify that the court ruling does not address the status of the law enacted in December to comply with the state constitution’s […]
Each time the Council holds its bi-annual Legislative Seminar, we honor those whose public lives reflect their faith commitments. The Faith Active in Public Life Award calls attention to someone […]
The 2019 Long Session of the General Assembly is now in full swing. As a result of last November’s elections, Republicans maintained majorities in both Senate and House but lost […]
Closing remarks made by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at the Council’s Public Education Summit on Friday, January 25. The Council placed a billboard along I-40 last summer, echoing the attention […]
The decade-long struggle for truth and justice got a welcome boost this weekend with a powerful opinion piece in the News & Observer. The writer, former N.C. resident and Capitol […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Matthew 2:1-12 Epiphany celebrates God’s presence with humanity through the person […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passages and reflections on their application. […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passage and reflections on its application. […]
At its most recent meeting the Council Governing Board unanimously endorsed Fair Districts NC’s Five Principles for Reasonable Redistricting Reform (RRR). The five RRR principles, shown at right, provide guidelines […]
Update: After this article was written, Gov. Cooper did veto House Bill 1029, as he was urged to do. He criticized the bill as potentially “devastating to the cause of fighting election […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passage, a brief commentary on the […]
Monday, December 10 marked the 70th anniversary of the United Nation’s International Human Rights Day. As we wait for the incarnation of God during this Advent season, we must also […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passage, a brief commentary on the […]
Last Saturday, NCIPL Director Susannah Tuttle and I had the opportunity to attend a conference entitled “Waste Not: Living the Low Carbon Life” in Raleigh. Leaders in the industries of […]
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passage, a brief commentary on the […]
The food that we consume as a part of the Thanksgiving holiday impacts the health of our climate and our communities. For this reason, we at NCIPL would like to […]
The first thing Gov. Roy Cooper did after he reported for work on Wednesday, Nov. 8, was to order up a generous new supply of red ink for his veto […]
As if we need to be reminded of the preponderance of guns and gun-related violence on our streets, we’ve had served up for us in the closing days before the […]
Public education is a critical issue for Christians, and the midterm elections provide a significant opportunity to vote with public education on our hearts – and in our minds. The […]
Sermon originally delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland on Sunday, October 21 at Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh. Right now there are thousands of people walking from Honduras […]
Remarks originally delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference on Tuesday, October 16. We stand before you today as faith leaders supporting many traditions. We have joined […]
Every seat in the North Carolina General Assembly is being challenged in the upcoming election. Every person qualified to vote has a responsibility to show up at the polls on […]
On Monday, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) approved Eagle Solar & Light to become the first licensed solar electric generator lessor in North Carolina. The leasing of solar energy […]
Hurricane Florence is proving to be the most devastating extreme weather event in the history of North Carolina. Simultaneously, our state has been widely viewed as an outpost of climate […]
The following remarks were delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture’s press conference on Thursday, September 27. The press conference marked the […]
Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health, and justice. We partner with faith communities […]
Sign Me Up! That was the rallying cry of delegates at the AFL-CIO state conference. Of course, all of them—and I—had already signed up. We believe in the power of […]
Recently, two stalwart champions of justice, Christina Cowger and Allyson Caison, received the annual Joshua Heintz Humanitarian Award from the Robert H. Jackson Center in Syracuse, NY. The mission of […]
As the flood waters recede–slow as that is–our focus shifts from survival to recovery. Having weathered a few of these storms, now arriving with increased frequency, we know that recovery […]
It’s a truism that weather affects elections. Yes, many of us would slosh through a downpour if that’s what it took to get to the polls. But a cold, driving […]
The drive by Republicans who control the N.C. General Assembly to enhance their already formidable power, often at the expense of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, has been relentless. Why is […]
Remarks delivered at the Community Conversation on Gun Violence on May 15, 2018 at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. God knows that we are a violent people. It’s been this way […]
This morning marked a historic day as the Council hosted their first legislative prayer breakfast at the North Carolina General Assembly. In attendance were faith leaders from the Council’s 18 […]
What will change because of May 16? Because of the Day of Advocacy for Public Education in North Carolina? It was a day born of heart’s work, and bearing […]
On the day Public School educators, administrators, staff, and their supporters gathered to make their voices heard at the North Carolina General Assembly, filling the streets and filling the gallery […]
They suited up in their red t-shirts, hoisted their homemade signs and coursed like a river through the heart of downtown Raleigh. Destination: The headquarters of North Carolina’s General Assembly. […]
May is Mental Health Month. This offers intentional opportunity to think proactively about mental health, its impact on our lives and communities, and create ways to destigmatize related issues. I […]
The NC Council of Churches has a long history of supporting public education and recently recommitted to both support and advocacy for the state system of public schools. (See statement […]
When the news reporter approached me, I was milling about in the grass, adjusting my pastoral stole, preparing to be present with some of our local teachers at a press […]
Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health, and justice. We partner with faith communities […]
As Mother’s Day approaches, we honor, remember, and celebrate all of the strong women in our lives. Women have proven throughout history that they are the backbone of society. Eleanor […]
Last week North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality introduced members of the Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board during a ceremony in the agency’s Green Square Lobby. The scope […]
“Build a Church, then Build a School.” Chief among the instructions for John Wesley’s itinerant ministers was this directive about education. Methodists are not the only faith group to grasp […]
The Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Summer Mini-Grant Cycle is now open. Mini-grants are a great way to support programs in your health ministry that engage church congregants and […]
When the N.C. General Assembly convenes on May 16, legislators will be “welcomed” by a throng of advocates for high-quality public schools – teachers prominent among them. More power to […]
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 […]
Sermon originally delivered at the Jack Crum Conference at Highlands United Methodist Church in Raleigh on Saturday, April 21. The primary text was Isaiah 55:1-9. My parents have an amazing […]
Duke University officials have announced the indefinite delay of plans to build a freestanding Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and will instead focus its attention on expanding opportunities to […]
The North Carolina Council of Churches believes that participating in our democracy is one critical component of our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. […]
Remarks delivered by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a March 17 press conference in Chapel Hill on the Sanctuary Movement. At the North Carolina Council of Churches, we don’t pretend […]
When the news broke about the North Carolina Council of Churches billboard suggesting a connection between guns and idolatry, responses ran from, “Thank you for naming the truth,” to “How […]
