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 […]
Public education in North Carolina has its share of challenges, not the least of which has been the state’s ongoing failure to make sure that school systems in poorer communities […]
On your drive along I-85/40 outside of Mebane, look for our billboard on the side of the road. It will go up this week and stay in place for the […]
As I work with various communities, a returning issue I hear about is the first 2000 days of a person’s life. I first learned about this number, 2000, at the […]
It was perhaps the N.C. Supreme Court’s finest hour. In 1997, the high court held unanimously that North Carolina public school students are entitled under the state constitution to the […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the […]
Remarks originally delivered March 23 at The State of the Soul of Appalachia conference in Pipestem State Park in West Virginia. The heavens are telling the glory of God; and […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice.” Reflection written by Sabrina Rosario, NC Interfaith Power & Light intern. Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus […]
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 […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and […]
The North Carolina Council of Churches must replace our veteran Immigration Program Director, Jennie Belle, who will become the Faith Community Organizer for the national organization, Church World Service. Over […]
2018 is shaping up to the be the Year of the Woman. From the halls of government to stages and theaters from coast to coast, from marches and protest to […]
Ordinary Americans – those of us not allowed to know the secrets of high-level espionage work – at this point find it hard to judge accurately the accomplishments of Gina […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who […]
In response to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke’s proposal to auction off nearly every piece of America’s coastline to private oil companies, 34 religious leaders in […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, […]
The staff of the NC Council of Churches is delighted to welcome Josie Walker and Karen Richardson-Dunn to the Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) team. Josie Walker is the […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of […]
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 […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, […]
Sermon delivered by Jennifer Copeland yesterday, Sunday, February 18 at Millford Hills United Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC. The lectionary texts were Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15. 40 days–rain! 40 […]
Powerful voices have long narrated the story of guns in America. The media. The NRA. Outraged, livid, grief-stricken mothers and fathers. When it comes to the horror of mass shootings, […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant […]
As the General Assembly wraps up its weirdly timed and generally ill-conceived winter session, it would be nice to think that the grand dispute over class sizes in North Carolina’s […]
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to […]
There are less than two weeks remaining to apply for a Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Mini-Grant. Congregations that are members of the PHW Collaborative are able to request […]
Only rarely does the United States Commission on Civil Rights hold hearings outside of Washington D.C. In February they came to town, convening in Raleigh to hear testimony about obstacles […]
Black History month is North Carolina Council of Churches’ history starting in 1935 because our history is founded on the black experience as seen through the eyes of the white […]
Update: This position has now been filled. The Council is hiring a part-time program coordinator for Sanctuary sites and Immigration Advocacy. The full job description is posted below and at […]
The Council’s Partners in Health and Wholeness initiative is hiring a full-time program coordinator to enhance the faith communities’ awareness and response to the opioid crisis in the state of […]
The pattern has become familiar – and a welcome pattern it is, even if brought about by the Republican-controlled General Assembly’s relentless abuses of our democratic system. Call it, “Judges […]
This flu season is notably harsh and even deadly in some circumstances. According to North Carolina Health Officials, as of January 25, there have been 21 flu deaths in our […]
The Federal Government of the United States of America shut down at midnight on Friday. It reopened yesterday, but may shut down again in February. Uncertainty and disorientation abound. […]
Progress in rooting out North Carolina’s gerrymandered voting districts hasn’t always occurred in a straight line. But the trend – thanks to federal judges honoring their duty to uphold the […]
Remarks originally delivered at the Medicare for All Rally held in Durham on Saturday, January 13. We are the fortunate ones. We are here. We are able to be here. […]
A reflection on Jesus of Nazareth (out of which nothing good comes)¹, the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr., and the detention of Gilles Bikindou. Jesus. Martin. Gilles. […]
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 […]
The words we hear form what we think. The words we say form what we do. And when powerful people use words, the words have even more power. And so […]
Grand constitutional questions in this country aren’t settled until the Supreme Court has its say, either by affirming or reversing the rulings of lower-court judges or simply by declining to […]
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced the decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador. This temporary immigration status allows people from certain countries […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the […]
The final version of the tax bill, passed in late December, will now open the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil drilling while maintaining a 14% cut in […]
A growing movement of immigrant and faith communities have committed to doing what Congress and the Administration refuse to do: protect and stand with immigrants facing deportation. However, many congregations […]
Well, here we go again. If the Republican-led General Assembly in 2017 focused on trying to exert its dominance over a freshly installed Democratic governor, then 2018 could bring the […]
We all do it and well we should–start the new year resolving to do better. Maybe it’s eat better, exercise more, or work less. The resolution itself quickly takes a […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise […]
It has been a rough year for creche sets at our house. For our family, as for many, the Holiday Season is cluttered by rehearsals, recitals, school performances, pageants, holiday […]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the […]
My name is Mary Elizabeth Hanchey and I joined the staff of the NC Council of Churches as Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach on November 1. I […]
Originally appeared in the Durham Herald and signed by both Larry Hall, Secretary of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the NC […]
The holiday season is a high-pressured time. The season’s greetings can bring unrealistic expectations, societal pressure, and busyness from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. If you do not feel well […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were […]
This is my favorite time of the year. I’m a sap about all of it. I love decorating the house, seeing the lights downtown, the music, getting cozy with a […]
Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, and Beth Messersmith, North Carolina Campaign Director for MomsRising, received the 2017 Effie Steele Award from North Carolinians Against […]
If you do not have insurance through an employer or other group plan, the Affordable Care Act continues to provide an option. Though battered, up to and including, appeals to […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to […]
Last week North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light spoke at the EPA public hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, on the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. The EPA has proposed […]
The solid citizens of Johnston County, N.C. – in a fateful quirk of geography – for several years have faced an unusual dilemma: What to do about the local company […]
Last year, we created an Advent Calendar to Support Immigrants and Refugees. This year, as the futures of tens of thousands of refugees, DACA recipients, and immigrants who are at […]
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. “But in those days, following that distress, the sun will […]
Remarks offered at a press conference on tax reform at the North Carolina State Capitol on Monday, November 29. For those of us who mark time a little differently than […]
Jesus had a lot to say about money, possessions, care for those who are impoverished, and care for those whose bodies are hungry or sick. And those things he said […]
