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Council Voices

The Table Was Packed

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

It is awesome how many people spend their days thinking of ways to make this world better. I was reminded of this during the latest Come to the Table Conferences. Both Kinston and Greensboro, the two locations for the Eastern NC and the Piedmont conferences respectively, brought together people of faith who love seeking justice. Both […]

The Table Was Packed

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

It is awesome how many people spend their days thinking of ways to make this world better. I was reminded of this during the latest Come to the Table Conferences. Both Kinston and Greensboro, the two locations for the Eastern NC and the Piedmont conferences respectively, brought together people of faith who love seeking justice. Both […]

Letter to the Editor: On Pink Licenses

By chris

Raleigh News & Observer

There’s no shortage of solutions in search of problems these days in Raleigh. One classic example is the proposed pink licenses for young immigrants who are granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The special licenses, approved by Gov. Pat McCrory, were neither requested by law enforcement nor designed to follow what other states have done.

Letter to the Editor: On Pink Licenses

Raleigh News & Observer

There’s no shortage of solutions in search of problems these days in Raleigh. One classic example is the proposed pink licenses for young immigrants who are granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The special licenses, approved by Gov. Pat McCrory, were neither requested by law enforcement nor designed to follow what other states have done.

Conference Explores Dimensions Of Food Justice

By chris

By Eric Ginsburg, YES Weekly

Dozens of organizations and hundreds of people from throughout the area came together in Greensboro last week to talk about an issue central in everyone’s lives: food. The Come to the Table conference, held at UNCG, was designed to assemble people who are working on and concerned with food issues to learn, network and organize around food access and justice.

Conference Explores Dimensions Of Food Justice

By Eric Ginsburg, YES Weekly

Dozens of organizations and hundreds of people from throughout the area came together in Greensboro last week to talk about an issue central in everyone’s lives: food. The Come to the Table conference, held at UNCG, was designed to assemble people who are working on and concerned with food issues to learn, network and organize around food access and justice.

Preparing the Way: Who Is Our Neighbor?

By chris

From Chapter 3 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV) Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus… [And] wanting to justify himself, he asked […]

Preparing the Way: Who Is Our Neighbor?

by chris

From Chapter 3 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV) Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus… [And] wanting to justify himself, he asked […]

Healthy Eating Equipment Grants

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The NC Council of Churches is partnering with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation to offer healthy eating equipment grants for places of worship in Anson, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Scotland, Stokes, and Surry counties. Places of worship that have a 501 (c)(3) public […]

Healthy Eating Equipment Grants

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The NC Council of Churches is partnering with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation to offer healthy eating equipment grants for places of worship in Anson, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Scotland, Stokes, and Surry counties. Places of worship that have a 501 (c)(3) public […]

Sí, se puede: Celebrating Holy Week & National Farmworker Awareness Week

By chris

Holy Week this year is also National Farmworker Awareness Week (March 24-31). It seems like no accident that the week in which we celebrate Jesus’ service and sacrifice for humanity is the same week that we celebrate the extraordinary gifts that farmworkers offer to our communities. It’s a time when we both remember and look for hope […]

Sí, se puede: Celebrating Holy Week & National Farmworker Awareness Week

by chris

Holy Week this year is also National Farmworker Awareness Week (March 24-31). It seems like no accident that the week in which we celebrate Jesus’ service and sacrifice for humanity is the same week that we celebrate the extraordinary gifts that farmworkers offer to our communities. It’s a time when we both remember and look for hope […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 2 (Creation)

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining us for week 2 of the PHW Book Club! We hope you enjoyed reading week 2 of the Eating Well Curriculum! We are going to focus on reading these well-known Biblical passages through the lens of the food that we eat. Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4 The story of creation is beloved and familiar. […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 2 (Creation)

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining us for week 2 of the PHW Book Club! We hope you enjoyed reading week 2 of the Eating Well Curriculum! We are going to focus on reading these well-known Biblical passages through the lens of the food that we eat. Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4 The story of creation is beloved and familiar. […]

New Movie Series Comes to Charlotte

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Monthly climate change action and education movie series have been popping up all over the state. NCIPL is pleased to announce that another movie series begins this month in Charlotte. “Speaking Truth to Power: The Justice Series” is co-sponsored by the Spiritual Activist Group at Unity of Charlotte, Charlotte Energy Solutions, and NCIPL. Discussion, with a […]

New Movie Series Comes to Charlotte

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Monthly climate change action and education movie series have been popping up all over the state. NCIPL is pleased to announce that another movie series begins this month in Charlotte. “Speaking Truth to Power: The Justice Series” is co-sponsored by the Spiritual Activist Group at Unity of Charlotte, Charlotte Energy Solutions, and NCIPL. Discussion, with a […]

PHW Funding Opportunity – Webinar Posted

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness, in partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation, recently conducted a webinar for places of worship interested in the new Healthy Eating Equipment grants. Please click here to access the webinar slides, audio and application forms. These grants are designed to support congregations in your efforts to […]

PHW Funding Opportunity – Webinar Posted

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness, in partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation, recently conducted a webinar for places of worship interested in the new Healthy Eating Equipment grants. Please click here to access the webinar slides, audio and application forms. These grants are designed to support congregations in your efforts to […]

Upcoming Webinar- Congregational Energy Savings Analyses

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

If you are interested in reducing your congregation’s utility bills, increasing your congregation’s efforts to care for creation, and taking a positive action in response to climate change, we invite you to participate in NCIPL’s upcoming webinar, How to Obtain a Free NCIPL Energy Savings Analysis for your Congregation. The webinar will be on Tuesday, […]

Upcoming Webinar- Congregational Energy Savings Analyses

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

If you are interested in reducing your congregation’s utility bills, increasing your congregation’s efforts to care for creation, and taking a positive action in response to climate change, we invite you to participate in NCIPL’s upcoming webinar, How to Obtain a Free NCIPL Energy Savings Analysis for your Congregation. The webinar will be on Tuesday, […]

Stories That Lean Toward Liberation: My Discussion with Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve

By Scott Schomburg, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

Exploring the power of witness in the midst of a raging immigration debate, Scott Schomburg reflects on his experience interviewing Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve, pastor of Iglesia Hispana Emanuel in Durham, NC.

Stories That Lean Toward Liberation: My Discussion with Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve

by Scott Schomburg, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

Exploring the power of witness in the midst of a raging immigration debate, Scott Schomburg reflects on his experience interviewing Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve, pastor of Iglesia Hispana Emanuel in Durham, NC.

Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Attacks on Struggling North Carolinians Advance Medicaid Coverage Unemployment Insurance Earned Income Tax Credit Fracking Moratorium Gun Violence Raise the Age Refusing to Extend Medicaid Coverage SB 4, which would deny Medicaid coverage to more than a half million North Carolinians under the Affordable Care Act and also would put the state under a federal […]

Raleigh Report – February 25, 2013

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Attacks on Struggling North Carolinians Advance Medicaid Coverage Unemployment Insurance Earned Income Tax Credit Fracking Moratorium Gun Violence Raise the Age Refusing to Extend Medicaid Coverage SB 4, which would deny Medicaid coverage to more than a half million North Carolinians under the Affordable Care Act and also would put the state under a federal […]

Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal Cuts

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

On March 1, new federal cuts will begin to take effect. If nothing is done, many hundreds of thousands of people will be hurt by across-the-board cuts to education, job training, home heating assistance, public health, and social services, to name only a few areas. In NC, 18,300 children and mothers would lose WIC nutrition aid […]

Protect the Vulnerable Against Federal Cuts

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

On March 1, new federal cuts will begin to take effect. If nothing is done, many hundreds of thousands of people will be hurt by across-the-board cuts to education, job training, home heating assistance, public health, and social services, to name only a few areas. In NC, 18,300 children and mothers would lose WIC nutrition aid […]

Raleigh Report – February 21, 2013

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

    Payday Lending What It Is, How It Harms People, Why We Don’t Need It Back Payday lending, sadly, could be coming back to North Carolina. It was banned by the General Assembly in 2001, and strong enforcement by Attorney General Roy Cooper has led to its disappearance from NC. If payday lending returns, […]

Raleigh Report – February 21, 2013

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

    Payday Lending What It Is, How It Harms People, Why We Don’t Need It Back Payday lending, sadly, could be coming back to North Carolina. It was banned by the General Assembly in 2001, and strong enforcement by Attorney General Roy Cooper has led to its disappearance from NC. If payday lending returns, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 1 (Overview)

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. We will be posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, but our PHW blog page will have the discussion posts in full with responses from staff. Just look for […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 1 (Overview)

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. We will be posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, but our PHW blog page will have the discussion posts in full with responses from staff. Just look for […]

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches interested in helping work to repeal the death penalty. PFADP, which began as a program of the Council, has been a leader in this movement. There has not been an execution in North Carolina since 2006, and leadership by […]

Bulletin Insert from PFADP

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friends at People of Faith Against the Death Penalty have provided a bulletin insert for churches interested in helping work to repeal the death penalty. PFADP, which began as a program of the Council, has been a leader in this movement. There has not been an execution in North Carolina since 2006, and leadership by […]

Preparing the Way: Caring for Creation – A Lenten “Carbon Fast”

By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

From Chapter 2 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Psalm 103: 8-14 (NAB) Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in kindness. God does not […]

Preparing the Way: Caring for Creation – A Lenten “Carbon Fast”

by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

From Chapter 2 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Psalm 103: 8-14 (NAB) Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in kindness. God does not […]

The NRA Takes Aim at Latinos

By chris

In a recent column for the Daily Caller, Wayne LaPierre – the official spokesman for the NRA and a recent witness in Congress – urges his readers to buy more guns to protect themselves from Latinos. Without citing any sources, he launches into this fear-mongering tirade: During the second Obama term, however, additional threats are […]

The NRA Takes Aim at Latinos

by chris

In a recent column for the Daily Caller, Wayne LaPierre – the official spokesman for the NRA and a recent witness in Congress – urges his readers to buy more guns to protect themselves from Latinos. Without citing any sources, he launches into this fear-mongering tirade: During the second Obama term, however, additional threats are […]

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at 919-828-6501 on Tuesday, April 9 until 5:00 p.m. Gene Nichol, Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the UNC-CH School of Law will be the lunch speaker at this year’s Legislative Seminar.The day’s topic for Nichol, who […]

Program and Registration for 2013 Legislative Seminar

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If you are interested in attending, but have not pre-registered, you may call our office at 919-828-6501 on Tuesday, April 9 until 5:00 p.m. Gene Nichol, Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the UNC-CH School of Law will be the lunch speaker at this year’s Legislative Seminar.The day’s topic for Nichol, who […]

The Green Bible is a Must Read

By Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

If you haven’t discovered The Green Bible yet, you are in for a joyous surprise. This 2008 edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is made unique by its emphasis on ecological and environmental themes. Using the technique we all remember from the red letter versions of the King James translation, The […]

The Green Bible is a Must Read

by Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

If you haven’t discovered The Green Bible yet, you are in for a joyous surprise. This 2008 edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is made unique by its emphasis on ecological and environmental themes. Using the technique we all remember from the red letter versions of the King James translation, The […]

Lectionary: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths (4th Sunday in Lent)

By chris

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship

Date: 4th Sunday in Lent - March 10, 2013
Topic: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths
Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

From the pastoral reflection: “Nadia dramatically called us into the reality of her life and away from our being disengaged onlookers. Angrily, she described the early morning hours onslaught as she, her husband, and three little children huddled on their bedroom floor, bullets ricocheting around the room for half an hour. They assumed they would die in the hail of gunfire. But surviving the experience, the family began cleaning up their devastated home and quickly recognized the telltale imprint of American military hardware: spent shells that they knew came from American-made equipment."

Lectionary: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths (4th Sunday in Lent)

by chris

From Acts of Faith: Free Lectionary Resources for Prophetic Worship

Date: 4th Sunday in Lent – March 10, 2013
Topic: Celebrating Abrahamic Faiths
Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

From the pastoral reflection: “Nadia dramatically called us into the reality of her life and away from our being disengaged onlookers. Angrily, she described the early morning hours onslaught as she, her husband, and three little children huddled on their bedroom floor, bullets ricocheting around the room for half an hour. They assumed they would die in the hail of gunfire. But surviving the experience, the family began cleaning up their devastated home and quickly recognized the telltale imprint of American military hardware: spent shells that they knew came from American-made equipment.”

PHW Update: New Funding Opportunity for Congregations

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The NC Council of Churches is happy to announce a new partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation to increase access to healthy, local food through the distribution of Healthy Eating Equipment grants in select parts of the state. The grants can be used to support any work around food access, […]

PHW Update: New Funding Opportunity for Congregations

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The NC Council of Churches is happy to announce a new partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation to increase access to healthy, local food through the distribution of Healthy Eating Equipment grants in select parts of the state. The grants can be used to support any work around food access, […]

PHW Launches Book Club

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters.  Our first choice of reading will come from the free “Eating Well” NC Council of Churches Food Curriculum.  We will be posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

PHW Launches Book Club

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters.  Our first choice of reading will come from the free “Eating Well” NC Council of Churches Food Curriculum.  We will be posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

Preparing the Way: The Abundance of Enough

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From Chapter 1 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Exodus 16:4-8; 13-18 (NRSV) Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for […]

Preparing the Way: The Abundance of Enough

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From Chapter 1 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Scripture: Exodus 16:4-8; 13-18 (NRSV) Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for […]

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

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians is in danger of being rejected by our legislature. The Senate has already declined to accept these funds (SB4), and we are told the House […]

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

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

If you are following the actions of the 2013 NC legislature, you know that the idea of accepting federal funds that will cover health insurance for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians is in danger of being rejected by our legislature. The Senate has already declined to accept these funds (SB4), and we are told the House […]

White Water Black Gold

White Water, Black Gold: We Can’t Have Both

By Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

On the eve of the National Preach-In on Climate Change, I just watched an amazing movie called White Water, Black Gold. It’s a beautifully crafted and accurate exploration of one of the hidden costs of continued development of tar sands oil in Canada’s North Country. That cost is clean water. This Canadian production is available for free viewing until February 18th and is well worth the 57 minutes it takes to watch it. Elegantly juxtaposing video of pristine examples of God’s glorious creation with shocking shots of lands and waters defiled by human industry, this movie calls us to action and to change.

White Water, Black Gold: We Can’t Have Both

by Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

On the eve of the National Preach-In on Climate Change, I just watched an amazing movie called White Water, Black Gold. It’s a beautifully crafted and accurate exploration of one of the hidden costs of continued development of tar sands oil in Canada’s North Country. That cost is clean water. This Canadian production is available for free viewing until February 18th and is well worth the 57 minutes it takes to watch it. Elegantly juxtaposing video of pristine examples of God’s glorious creation with shocking shots of lands and waters defiled by human industry, this movie calls us to action and to change.

Preparing the Way for Lent: Introduction

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

From the Introduction of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Lent is the season of the Christian Year that includes the six weeks from Ash Wednesday until the […]

Preparing the Way for Lent: Introduction

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

From the Introduction of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of Lent together. Download the full PDF here. Lent is the season of the Christian Year that includes the six weeks from Ash Wednesday until the […]

Raleigh Report – February 6, 2013

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday morning the Senate Rules Committee unveiled a committee substitute for SB 10 which would effectively kick off all of the members of several influential commissions, including the Environmental Management Commission, the Coastal Resources Commission, the Utilities Commission, and the Lottery Commission, and then enable the General Assembly and the Governor to appoint new members.

Raleigh Report – February 6, 2013

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday morning the Senate Rules Committee unveiled a committee substitute for SB 10 which would effectively kick off all of the members of several influential commissions, including the Environmental Management Commission, the Coastal Resources Commission, the Utilities Commission, and the Lottery Commission, and then enable the General Assembly and the Governor to appoint new members.

“God Made a Farmer” – But What About Farmworkers?

By chris

As I watched the Super Bowl with my family on Sunday night, one ad stood out. It was the beautiful slideshow of farmers, accompanied by the eloquent words of the late Paul's Harvey's speech entitled "God Made a Farmer." The ad was a moving tribute, evoking powerful emotions while praising the often unrewarding daily labor of farming.

But why were all the farmers white? Why didn't the ad depict the reality of farmworkers, the millions of men and women whose hard labor makes possible the abundance on our plates?

“God Made a Farmer” – But What About Farmworkers?

by chris

As I watched the Super Bowl with my family on Sunday night, one ad stood out. It was the beautiful slideshow of farmers, accompanied by the eloquent words of the late Paul’s Harvey’s speech entitled “God Made a Farmer.” The ad was a moving tribute, evoking powerful emotions while praising the often unrewarding daily labor of farming.

But why were all the farmers white? Why didn’t the ad depict the reality of farmworkers, the millions of men and women whose hard labor makes possible the abundance on our plates?

Join the Let’s Learn NC Campaign for Tuition Equality

By chris

Tuition Equality: Good For Our Students, Good For Our State  Today marks the launch of a new campaign seeking tuition equality for all North Carolina students. Let’s Learn NC is all about fairness, opportunity and equal access to education. This statewide grassroots campaign advocates for the same college tuition for all North Carolina students, because […]

Join the Let’s Learn NC Campaign for Tuition Equality

by chris

Tuition Equality: Good For Our Students, Good For Our State  Today marks the launch of a new campaign seeking tuition equality for all North Carolina students. Let’s Learn NC is all about fairness, opportunity and equal access to education. This statewide grassroots campaign advocates for the same college tuition for all North Carolina students, because […]

Lent and Getting Back to Basics

By Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

The 40 days of Lent are a wonderful time for Christians to explore deeply our relationship with God and God’s creation. Everything we need to survive and thrive is on this planet, this blessed and beautiful gift, yet it is in peril because we have collectively forgotten to be grateful and to honor and care […]

Lent and Getting Back to Basics

by Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

The 40 days of Lent are a wonderful time for Christians to explore deeply our relationship with God and God’s creation. Everything we need to survive and thrive is on this planet, this blessed and beautiful gift, yet it is in peril because we have collectively forgotten to be grateful and to honor and care […]

Raleigh Report – February 1, 2013

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

After a one-day organizational meeting in early January, the 2013 General Assembly convened in earnest last Wednesday. Bills introduced and advanced during these first two days give a taste of things to come. Note especially the bills affecting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, weakening the benefits of unemployment insurance, and extending the presence of guns.

Raleigh Report – February 1, 2013

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

After a one-day organizational meeting in early January, the 2013 General Assembly convened in earnest last Wednesday. Bills introduced and advanced during these first two days give a taste of things to come. Note especially the bills affecting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, weakening the benefits of unemployment insurance, and extending the presence of guns.

Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent (free download)

By chris

Click here for a free download of our new 2013 social justice study for Lent: Preparing the Way. This simple 10-page document combines traditional Lenten themes and Bible passages with contemporary issues including hunger, care of creation, and immigration. We invite you to join us in this season of reflection and preparation.

Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent (free download)

by chris

Click here for a free download of our new 2013 social justice study for Lent: Preparing the Way. This simple 10-page document combines traditional Lenten themes and Bible passages with contemporary issues including hunger, care of creation, and immigration. We invite you to join us in this season of reflection and preparation.

What’s Wrong with Photo ID?

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

One of the most insidious proposals coming up in the General Assembly session is the one to require people to show photo IDs in order to vote. It has the potential to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters in NC. Proponents argue that it will prevent voter fraud, but they are unable to point to […]

What’s Wrong with Photo ID?

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

One of the most insidious proposals coming up in the General Assembly session is the one to require people to show photo IDs in order to vote. It has the potential to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters in NC. Proponents argue that it will prevent voter fraud, but they are unable to point to […]

Toward a Healthier New Year

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Are the holidays over already? Well, yes. But what remains for many of us are the extra pounds packed on from Thanksgiving to the New Year holiday. Darn. I came across this podcast, and found it interesting to hear from a chef…who is also a doctor who advises: how to avoid future holiday pounds how women can help men address […]

Toward a Healthier New Year

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Are the holidays over already? Well, yes. But what remains for many of us are the extra pounds packed on from Thanksgiving to the New Year holiday. Darn. I came across this podcast, and found it interesting to hear from a chef…who is also a doctor who advises: how to avoid future holiday pounds how women can help men address […]

Immigration Webinar Resources

By chris

Click here for a recording of the Jan 9, 2013 webinar: Help – How Do I Talk with My Congregation about Immigration? with Lori Fernald Khamala of American Friends Service Committee.

Immigration Webinar Resources

by chris

Click here for a recording of the Jan 9, 2013 webinar: Help – How Do I Talk with My Congregation about Immigration? with Lori Fernald Khamala of American Friends Service Committee.

Make it an Adventure

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

There are few things I love more than setting out on a grand adventure. I know there are folks out there who prefer the safety, security, and dependability of home. But…there is that thrill of anticipation, that rush of excitement when something new is coming. There is the surge of nervous energy when a risk is taken, […]

Make it an Adventure

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

There are few things I love more than setting out on a grand adventure. I know there are folks out there who prefer the safety, security, and dependability of home. But…there is that thrill of anticipation, that rush of excitement when something new is coming. There is the surge of nervous energy when a risk is taken, […]

The Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Begins

By chris

It's been an exciting week as President Obama and a bipartisan group of key senators have started the real work of getting comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) passed this year. On Monday, the "Gang of Eight" released a framework for the new legislation. On Tuesday, the President gave a speech outlining his vision for CIR. You can watch his speech here.

The Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Begins

by chris

It’s been an exciting week as President Obama and a bipartisan group of key senators have started the real work of getting comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) passed this year. On Monday, the “Gang of Eight” released a framework for the new legislation. On Tuesday, the President gave a speech outlining his vision for CIR. You can watch his speech here.

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Gun violence has long been an issue of concern for the North Carolina Council of Churches. Every injury endured and life lost, whether on a downtown street corner or in a suburban classroom, runs directly counter to message of the Prince of Peace. As Council leaders said in their 1998 policy statement on Children and Gun […]

Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Gun violence has long been an issue of concern for the North Carolina Council of Churches. Every injury endured and life lost, whether on a downtown street corner or in a suburban classroom, runs directly counter to message of the Prince of Peace. As Council leaders said in their 1998 policy statement on Children and Gun […]

Durham’s Faith Summit on Child Poverty

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches has been engaged with issues related to child poverty for decades. We were one of the founders of the Covenant with NC’s Children, a leading advocacy group on behalf of children, especially the most vulnerable ones. And we were instrumental in creation of the Caring Program for Children, enabling a […]

Durham’s Faith Summit on Child Poverty

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

The NC Council of Churches has been engaged with issues related to child poverty for decades. We were one of the founders of the Covenant with NC’s Children, a leading advocacy group on behalf of children, especially the most vulnerable ones. And we were instrumental in creation of the Caring Program for Children, enabling a […]

Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

You probably already know that the General Assembly goes into session on Wednesday, January 30. They’ve already had a one-day organizational meeting. You probably also already know that this will be a difficult session for those of us who have worked for years (or even decades) for justice for all North Carolinians, especially the most […]

Important Upcoming Events for NC Social Justice Advocates

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

You probably already know that the General Assembly goes into session on Wednesday, January 30. They’ve already had a one-day organizational meeting. You probably also already know that this will be a difficult session for those of us who have worked for years (or even decades) for justice for all North Carolinians, especially the most […]

2013 Conference on the Common Good — February 18

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Register for the 2013 Conference on the Common Good set for Monday, February 18 at Wake Forest Divinity School.

2013 Conference on the Common Good — February 18

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Register for the 2013 Conference on the Common Good set for Monday, February 18 at Wake Forest Divinity School.

NC AG: Immigrants with DACA Can Have Driver’s Licenses

By chris

In an incredibly short-sighted move, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stopped issuing driver’s licenses several months ago to young immigrants who had been granted a two-year work permit under the DACA program. That program, enacted by the Obama administration last year, blocks deportation for young immigrants who came to the U.S. before they […]

NC AG: Immigrants with DACA Can Have Driver’s Licenses

by chris

In an incredibly short-sighted move, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stopped issuing driver’s licenses several months ago to young immigrants who had been granted a two-year work permit under the DACA program. That program, enacted by the Obama administration last year, blocks deportation for young immigrants who came to the U.S. before they […]

Raleigh City Council Approves Bring The War Dollars Home Proclamation

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

I was thrilled to attend the Raleigh City Council meeting on January 15 where Council members passed a Bring the War Dollars Home proclamation to send to our North Carolina congressional delegation.  I was proud that our capital city of NC has local leadership that recognizes how spending money on wars along with other excessive Pentagon expenditures […]

Raleigh City Council Approves Bring The War Dollars Home Proclamation

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

I was thrilled to attend the Raleigh City Council meeting on January 15 where Council members passed a Bring the War Dollars Home proclamation to send to our North Carolina congressional delegation.  I was proud that our capital city of NC has local leadership that recognizes how spending money on wars along with other excessive Pentagon expenditures […]

Speaking Life In a Dry Valley

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The NCCC’s annual staff Christmas lunch is a time of good cheer for the old and new staff.  I was warmly surrounded by spiritual leaders who strive to do as Ezekiel did, speak to where there seems to be no hope—and speak the word of God to renew life (Ezekiel 37:1-14). I sat next to […]

Speaking Life In a Dry Valley

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The NCCC’s annual staff Christmas lunch is a time of good cheer for the old and new staff.  I was warmly surrounded by spiritual leaders who strive to do as Ezekiel did, speak to where there seems to be no hope—and speak the word of God to renew life (Ezekiel 37:1-14). I sat next to […]

Preach-in on Global Warming: How To’s

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

The 2013 National Preach-In on Global Warming is less than a month away! On the weekend of February 8-10, join with other people of faith across America to ask President Obama to address climate change as a moral issue and safeguard vulnerable communities at home and abroad. Here’s what to do: 1) Register for NCIPL’s Preach-In: What, Why, […]

Preach-in on Global Warming: How To’s

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

The 2013 National Preach-In on Global Warming is less than a month away! On the weekend of February 8-10, join with other people of faith across America to ask President Obama to address climate change as a moral issue and safeguard vulnerable communities at home and abroad. Here’s what to do: 1) Register for NCIPL’s Preach-In: What, Why, […]

Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Over the holidays, North Carolina State Health Director, Dr. Laura Gerald, put out a press release urging all North Carolinians over the age of 6 months to get their annual flu shot. Public health professionals have deemed this year’s flu season to be the worst in recent years. By the end of December 2012, North […]

Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Over the holidays, North Carolina State Health Director, Dr. Laura Gerald, put out a press release urging all North Carolinians over the age of 6 months to get their annual flu shot. Public health professionals have deemed this year’s flu season to be the worst in recent years. By the end of December 2012, North […]

Equal Education, Unequal Pay

By chris

For decades, we've been working toward equal pay and equal treatment for women in the workplace. Sadly, there is still much progress to be made - illustrated by this powerful graphic below created by Kayla Evans.

Equal Education, Unequal Pay

by chris

For decades, we’ve been working toward equal pay and equal treatment for women in the workplace. Sadly, there is still much progress to be made – illustrated by this powerful graphic below created by Kayla Evans.

Looking for Community Sparkplugs for a Healthier Wilson County

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and The Rensselaerville Institute are looking for individuals with project ideas for creating a healthier Wilson County. Projects will be implemented over the next 6 months and must focus on increasing physical activity and/or access to and consumption of fresh produce. Selected Community Sparkplugs and their teams will receive the following: a $3,000 grant (simple application process), individualized help to create an action plan and set project results, support and coaching over the next 6 months, and an opportunity to become part of a growing network of Community Sparkplugs across North Carolina.

Looking for Community Sparkplugs for a Healthier Wilson County

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and The Rensselaerville Institute are looking for individuals with project ideas for creating a healthier Wilson County. Projects will be implemented over the next 6 months and must focus on increasing physical activity and/or access to and consumption of fresh produce.

Selected Community Sparkplugs and their teams will receive the following: a $3,000 grant (simple application process), individualized help to create an action plan and set project results, support and coaching over the next 6 months, and an opportunity to become part of a growing network of Community Sparkplugs across North Carolina.

2013 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

This Prayer for Unity and monthly ecumenical prayer calendar include by name the judicatories and congregations that are members of the North Carolina Council of Churches and the names of their current leaders. Your prayers for reconciliation are invited for all Christian bodies in and beyond the state. Click here to download a PDF of […]

2013 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

This Prayer for Unity and monthly ecumenical prayer calendar include by name the judicatories and congregations that are members of the North Carolina Council of Churches and the names of their current leaders. Your prayers for reconciliation are invited for all Christian bodies in and beyond the state. Click here to download a PDF of […]

New Year’s Resolution to Drop the Habit

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

No, I’m not talking about the attire worn by a group of women deeply committed to God. I’m referring to tobacco cessation. Many people resolve to quit smoking or otherwise using tobacco as a New Year’s resolution. If that is your resolution, then the trick to being successful is – well, there is no trick. The […]

New Year’s Resolution to Drop the Habit

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

No, I’m not talking about the attire worn by a group of women deeply committed to God. I’m referring to tobacco cessation. Many people resolve to quit smoking or otherwise using tobacco as a New Year’s resolution. If that is your resolution, then the trick to being successful is – well, there is no trick. The […]

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Celebrate the 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

By chris

The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute has prepared material for the celebration of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from January 18-25, 2013. You will find prayer services, prayers of the faithful and musical suggestions at their website. The theme for 2013 is "What Does God Require of Us?" (cf. Micah 6:6-8). In North Carolina, there will be several observances of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Celebrate the 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

by chris

The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute has prepared material for the celebration of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from January 18-25, 2013. You will find prayer services, prayers of the faithful and musical suggestions at their website. The theme for 2013 is “What Does God Require of Us?” (cf. Micah 6:6-8). In North Carolina, there will be several observances of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Faith and Weight Loss: NC Churches Encourage Members to be Healthy

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Public News Service - NC

Weight loss is the most popular New Year's resolution being made by North Carolinians and people around the country, according to new data from the University of Scranton. The goal of being healthier is even making its way into churches around the state, through a program sponsored by the North Carolina Council of Churches.

Faith and Weight Loss: NC Churches Encourage Members to be Healthy

Public News Service – NC

Weight loss is the most popular New Year’s resolution being made by North Carolinians and people around the country, according to new data from the University of Scranton. The goal of being healthier is even making its way into churches around the state, through a program sponsored by the North Carolina Council of Churches.

Film Depicts Relocation Due to Climate Change

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

I recently watched the trailer for the new movie, The Hungry Tide. The film documents history in the making, as the Pacific Island of Kiritiba prepares to be perhaps the first nation relocated due to climate change. Let’s just pause for a moment and reflect upon that. An entire nation relocated. Can you even fathom […]

Film Depicts Relocation Due to Climate Change

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

I recently watched the trailer for the new movie, The Hungry Tide. The film documents history in the making, as the Pacific Island of Kiritiba prepares to be perhaps the first nation relocated due to climate change. Let’s just pause for a moment and reflect upon that. An entire nation relocated. Can you even fathom […]

Good News for All Creation

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

When I found out that the current issue of Unbound focuses on “Hope for Eco-Activists: Dis­cov­er­ing an Envi­ron­men­tal Faith,” I joyfully, yet naively thought, “of course, another article on faith and the environment.” I say “naively” because while I work day-in and day-out on the intersection of climate change and faith, sometimes I forget that […]

Good News for All Creation

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

When I found out that the current issue of Unbound focuses on “Hope for Eco-Activists: Dis­cov­er­ing an Envi­ron­men­tal Faith,” I joyfully, yet naively thought, “of course, another article on faith and the environment.” I say “naively” because while I work day-in and day-out on the intersection of climate change and faith, sometimes I forget that […]

Better Dental Care With a Bag of Apples

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Executive Director George Reed wrote an article recently about the importance of dental care for children. His link to Kathy Higgins’ remarks brought our attention to the contradiction of spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on items that we “want” such as big musical concerts against the claim that we “don’t have the money to support those […]

Better Dental Care With a Bag of Apples

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Executive Director George Reed wrote an article recently about the importance of dental care for children. His link to Kathy Higgins’ remarks brought our attention to the contradiction of spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on items that we “want” such as big musical concerts against the claim that we “don’t have the money to support those […]

Have a Green Christmas

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Grist’s recent article A Million and One Ways (at Least!) to Simplify the Holidays makes it clear that low-carbon holidays are perhaps becoming more of a trend than any recent year past. Still, the commercials and stores on every corner trying to sell that last minute stocking stuffer make it hard not to slip back […]

Have a Green Christmas

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Grist’s recent article A Million and One Ways (at Least!) to Simplify the Holidays makes it clear that low-carbon holidays are perhaps becoming more of a trend than any recent year past. Still, the commercials and stores on every corner trying to sell that last minute stocking stuffer make it hard not to slip back […]

After Sandy Hook — Sign-On Statement

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

We join in the shared grief of our nation and especially offer words of comfort to all of those who have had loved ones torn from them.

After Sandy Hook — Sign-On Statement

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

We join in the shared grief of our nation and especially offer words of comfort to all of those who have had loved ones torn from them.

Turning Strangers into Neighbors: Helping Congregations with Immigration

By chris

Thursday, Jan. 31 | 9:00am | Free registration required

This free 45-minute webinar will take a look at innovative ways to communicate about immigration issues with your congregation or community group, helping to transform the conversation from a political context to a religious and values-based context. In particular, we'll highlight the new "Stranger to Neighbor" program by FaithAction International House, which is engaging a diverse group of congregations in Greensboro.

Turning Strangers into Neighbors: Helping Congregations with Immigration

by chris

Thursday, Jan. 31 | 9:00am | Free registration required

This free 45-minute webinar will take a look at innovative ways to communicate about immigration issues with your congregation or community group, helping to transform the conversation from a political context to a religious and values-based context. In particular, we’ll highlight the new “Stranger to Neighbor” program by FaithAction International House, which is engaging a diverse group of congregations in Greensboro.

Come to the Table 2013

Come to the Table Eastern Regional Conference

By chris

Details:
Monday February 4th, 2013
8:30am – 4:30pm
Kinston Community Council for the Arts
Kinston, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Come to the Table Eastern Regional Conference

by chris

Details:
Monday February 4th, 2013
8:30am – 4:30pm
Kinston Community Council for the Arts
Kinston, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Come to the Table 2013

Come to the Table Piedmont Regional Conference

By chris

Details:
8:30 – 5:00pm
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
UNC-Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Come to the Table Piedmont Regional Conference

by chris

Details:
8:30 – 5:00pm
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
UNC-Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Come to the Table 2013

Come to the Table Western Regional Conference

By chris

Details:
Friday, March 15, 2013
8:30am-4:30pm
Southwestern Community College
Sylva, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Come to the Table Western Regional Conference

by chris

Details:
Friday, March 15, 2013
8:30am-4:30pm
Southwestern Community College
Sylva, NC

The conference includes plenaries, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. Registration Fee: $0-15 (sliding scale fee structure).

Farmworkers’ Vital Contribution to North Carolina’s Economy

By chris

Agriculture serves as the economic backbone for North Carolina, and farmworkers’ hand labor is needed to produce crops that bring in billions of dollars to the state’s economy each year. Despite this fact, farmworkers remain one of the state’s most economically disadvantaged and unprotected group of laborers.

Farmworkers’ Vital Contribution to North Carolina’s Economy

by chris

Agriculture serves as the economic backbone for North Carolina, and farmworkers’ hand labor is needed to produce crops that bring in billions of dollars to the state’s economy each year. Despite this fact, farmworkers remain one of the state’s most economically disadvantaged and unprotected group of laborers.

Lectionary on Gun Violence

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The horror of what has occurred in Connecticut is unimaginable, and the days ahead will be a test for all of us. The Council’s resources include a lectionary on gun violence which might prove helpful to people of faith going forward. While this resource cannot possibly explain how something like this happens, it provides a […]

Lectionary on Gun Violence

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The horror of what has occurred in Connecticut is unimaginable, and the days ahead will be a test for all of us. The Council’s resources include a lectionary on gun violence which might prove helpful to people of faith going forward. While this resource cannot possibly explain how something like this happens, it provides a […]

Blessings of the Christmas Season

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The staff and volunteer program associates of the North Carolina Council of Churches wish you a blessed and peaceful holiday with words by Sr. Evelyn Mattern.

Blessings of the Christmas Season

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The staff and volunteer program associates of the North Carolina Council of Churches wish you a blessed and peaceful holiday with words by Sr. Evelyn Mattern.

Update on Free AED and CPR Program

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

In the spring of this year, the NC Council of Churches and our partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC and the American Red Cross, awarded 34 free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to congregations across the state. This was done in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from sudden […]

Update on Free AED and CPR Program

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

In the spring of this year, the NC Council of Churches and our partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC and the American Red Cross, awarded 34 free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to congregations across the state. This was done in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from sudden […]

Help – How Do I Talk with My Congregation about Immigration?

By chris

Wednesday, Jan. 9 | 11:00am | Free registration required

Immigration continues to be a hot topic on the news and in the pews. As North Carolina continues to experience demographic changes, one of the main questions facing our ministries is how to respond to our new neighbors.This free 45-minute webinar will take a look at innovative ways to communicate about immigration issues with your congregation or community group, helping to transform the conversation from a political context to a religious and values-based context.

Help – How Do I Talk with My Congregation about Immigration?

by chris

Wednesday, Jan. 9 | 11:00am | Free registration required

Immigration continues to be a hot topic on the news and in the pews. As North Carolina continues to experience demographic changes, one of the main questions facing our ministries is how to respond to our new neighbors.This free 45-minute webinar will take a look at innovative ways to communicate about immigration issues with your congregation or community group, helping to transform the conversation from a political context to a religious and values-based context.

Help Sustain Wind Power Tax Credit

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Sunshine, wind and waves are all free gifts from God and expressions of God’s amazing power and love.  North Carolina is blessed with all three in abundance. That puts our state in a wonderful position to lead the nation and the world in clean, renewable energy production – energy that does not pollute the air, […]

Help Sustain Wind Power Tax Credit

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Sunshine, wind and waves are all free gifts from God and expressions of God’s amazing power and love.  North Carolina is blessed with all three in abundance. That puts our state in a wonderful position to lead the nation and the world in clean, renewable energy production – energy that does not pollute the air, […]

The Not-So-Sweet Truth

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness is trying to reach you in every way possible. Why are we trying to reach you? Because we have some truths that could help change how we view health for ourselves and for each other. People of faith who are interested in these health topics try really hard to get […]

The Not-So-Sweet Truth

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness is trying to reach you in every way possible. Why are we trying to reach you? Because we have some truths that could help change how we view health for ourselves and for each other. People of faith who are interested in these health topics try really hard to get […]

First NCIPL Regional Partner Groups Formed

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

NCIPL is so happy to announce that two Regional Partner Groups have been formalized. Regional Partner Groups are self-organizing, local, interfaith affiliates of NCIPL. They work to address climate change collectively and at their home congregations in ways that are locally relevant. NCIPL supports climate mitigation and adaptation efforts identified by partner groups and encourages […]

First NCIPL Regional Partner Groups Formed

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

NCIPL is so happy to announce that two Regional Partner Groups have been formalized. Regional Partner Groups are self-organizing, local, interfaith affiliates of NCIPL. They work to address climate change collectively and at their home congregations in ways that are locally relevant. NCIPL supports climate mitigation and adaptation efforts identified by partner groups and encourages […]

Baptist Peacemaker Highlights Churches’ Care of Creation Work

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

A recent article in the Baptist Peacemaker focuses on what churches are doing to address creation care and global climate change. In addition to mentioning our NC Interfaith Power & Light program, it features four North Carolina congregations with ties to the NC Council of Churches: •Myers Park Baptist, Charlotte – one of the Council’s […]

Baptist Peacemaker Highlights Churches’ Care of Creation Work

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

A recent article in the Baptist Peacemaker focuses on what churches are doing to address creation care and global climate change. In addition to mentioning our NC Interfaith Power & Light program, it features four North Carolina congregations with ties to the NC Council of Churches: •Myers Park Baptist, Charlotte – one of the Council’s […]

NC House Select Committee on Immigration

NC House Select Committee on Immigration Wraps Up with a Whimper

By chris

With this report, the Committee is in effect conceding that it cannot push for Arizona or Alabama-style legislation. While there is no doubt that some members of the General Assembly will cynically attempt to pass new measures that target immigrants, the immigrant rights community in North Carolina can stand proud. There are many battles that lay ahead, but at least for now disaster has been averted thanks to the courage of undocumented protesters and the strong immigrant rights partnerships that are being forged across the state.

NC House Select Committee on Immigration Wraps Up with a Whimper

by chris

With this report, the Committee is in effect conceding that it cannot push for Arizona or Alabama-style legislation. While there is no doubt that some members of the General Assembly will cynically attempt to pass new measures that target immigrants, the immigrant rights community in North Carolina can stand proud. There are many battles that lay ahead, but at least for now disaster has been averted thanks to the courage of undocumented protesters and the strong immigrant rights partnerships that are being forged across the state.

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ is debated and cuts as well as revenue sources are considered. People of faith and compassion are being called to serve as lobbyists for the […]

Needed: Lobbyists for the Voiceless

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Congress is overwhelmed with lobbyists for corporations, Chambers of Commerce, AARP, the Department of Defense, etc. But those living in poverty are short on lobbyist as the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ is debated and cuts as well as revenue sources are considered. People of faith and compassion are being called to serve as lobbyists for the […]

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North Carolina during 2012. The milestone marks a victory for people throughout the state and for the organization People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, which began as a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. As PFADP, which […]

2012 A Victory for NC and for PFADP

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For the first time in the modern era, no one was sentenced to death in North Carolina during 2012. The milestone marks a victory for people throughout the state and for the organization People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, which began as a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. As PFADP, which […]

Emotional Eating During the Holidays

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I have to admit that the Eat Smart, Move More’s Holiday Challenge to maintain and not gain has been weighing on me…no pun intended. I sometimes emotionally eat during the holidays. I do it because I miss my grandmother and certain dishes remind me of her. I understand that others who are experiencing this season […]

Emotional Eating During the Holidays

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I have to admit that the Eat Smart, Move More’s Holiday Challenge to maintain and not gain has been weighing on me…no pun intended. I sometimes emotionally eat during the holidays. I do it because I miss my grandmother and certain dishes remind me of her. I understand that others who are experiencing this season […]

Making Peace between a Planet and Its People

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Baptist Peacemaker

Google “care for creation” and you’ll find it’s a panreligious movement. If nothing else, this demonstrates that all major religions—Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Baptist—all agree on at least one thing. Can I get an “amen” to that? It’s good that this is the case. Reconciliation between a planet needing stewardship and inhabitants who often refuse to see that need will require everything from global to grassroots activity.

Making Peace between a Planet and Its People

Baptist Peacemaker

Google “care for creation” and you’ll find it’s a panreligious movement. If nothing else, this demonstrates that all major religions—Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Baptist—all agree on at least one thing. Can I get an “amen” to that?

It’s good that this is the case. Reconciliation between a planet needing stewardship and inhabitants who often refuse to see that need will require everything from global to grassroots activity.

The Case for Fair Taxes

By Justin Hubbard, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

The challenge of faith communities is not to deduct a set of moral principles from scripture that houses a model for a fair tax system. There are no formulas or bureaucratic maps that arise out of biblical texts that we might apply to our current context and tax system that will magically make the system fair. Rather, the biblical texts provide a framework to understand the Christian witness towards the common good and a Christian ethic of love and care for the vulnerable and exploited.

The Case for Fair Taxes

by Justin Hubbard, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

The challenge of faith communities is not to deduct a set of moral principles from scripture that houses a model for a fair tax system. There are no formulas or bureaucratic maps that arise out of biblical texts that we might apply to our current context and tax system that will magically make the system fair. Rather, the biblical texts provide a framework to understand the Christian witness towards the common good and a Christian ethic of love and care for the vulnerable and exploited.

Date Change: Latino Pastor Dinner in Robeson Co.

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness will host a dinner to connect Latino pastors with free resources and grants for churches. It takes place Thursday, Dec. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Goodwin Heights Baptist Church, 704 Godwin Avenue in Lumberton. Please note this is a change in date from a prior announcement. The meeting will be conducted in Spanish and is free. Please e-mail Joy Williams, for more information.

Date Change: Latino Pastor Dinner in Robeson Co.

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness will host a dinner to connect Latino pastors with free resources and grants for churches. It takes place Thursday, Dec. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Goodwin Heights Baptist Church, 704 Godwin Avenue in Lumberton. Please note this is a change in date from a prior announcement.

The meeting will be conducted in Spanish and is free. Please e-mail Joy Williams, for more information.

Planting the Seeds of Abundant Harvest

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I have been reading about the controversies surrounding factory farms and companies that generate genetically modified seeds capable of mass producing and surviving under any conditions.  In this debate that originates from the intricacies of industrial farming, there are good points being made from many perspectives, such as the legal, business, scientific and farming. […]

Planting the Seeds of Abundant Harvest

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I have been reading about the controversies surrounding factory farms and companies that generate genetically modified seeds capable of mass producing and surviving under any conditions.  In this debate that originates from the intricacies of industrial farming, there are good points being made from many perspectives, such as the legal, business, scientific and farming. […]

Electioneering and the IRS

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

In the weeks just before November’s general election, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association paid to place full-page ads in newspapers including the [Raleigh] News & Observer to The New York Times. These ads quoted Billy Graham calling on voters to “cast [their] ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the […]

Electioneering and the IRS

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

In the weeks just before November’s general election, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association paid to place full-page ads in newspapers including the [Raleigh] News & Observer to The New York Times. These ads quoted Billy Graham calling on voters to “cast [their] ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the […]

The Passing of Bishop James McCoy

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Last week, North Carolina lost a religious leader we hardly knew. Bishop James McCoy had been named back during the summer to be the Presiding Prelate of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church. He took office here a couple of months ago, was officially installed only a couple of weeks […]

The Passing of Bishop James McCoy

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Last week, North Carolina lost a religious leader we hardly knew. Bishop James McCoy had been named back during the summer to be the Presiding Prelate of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church. He took office here a couple of months ago, was officially installed only a couple of weeks […]

Focus and Early Registration for 2013 Preach-in on Global Warming

By Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Since 2010, NCIPL has encouraged individuals and faith communities to participate in the national Preach-In on Global Warming. The Preach-In allows faith communities across the nation to coordinate their message of profound concern to lawmakers. This year the Preach-In will be February 8-10 and National IPL has chosen the following focus: Following his re-election, President […]

Focus and Early Registration for 2013 Preach-in on Global Warming

by Allison Reeves Jolley, Former Outreach Coordinator - NCIPL

Since 2010, NCIPL has encouraged individuals and faith communities to participate in the national Preach-In on Global Warming. The Preach-In allows faith communities across the nation to coordinate their message of profound concern to lawmakers. This year the Preach-In will be February 8-10 and National IPL has chosen the following focus: Following his re-election, President […]

Christian Scriptures and Farmworkers

By chris

From the laws and histories of ancient Israel to the life of Jesus and the letters of Paul, themes related to the treatment of farmworkers emerge consistently throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures. Many of these passages suggest that a community’s relationship with God is in fact defined at least in part by its treatment of foreigners, laborers, the poor, and the marginalized. Below is a brief selection of Bible verses that support the idea that farmworkers should be treated fairly.

Christian Scriptures and Farmworkers

by chris

From the laws and histories of ancient Israel to the life of Jesus and the letters of Paul, themes related to the treatment of farmworkers emerge consistently throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures. Many of these passages suggest that a community’s relationship with God is in fact defined at least in part by its treatment of foreigners, laborers, the poor, and the marginalized. Below is a brief selection of Bible verses that support the idea that farmworkers should be treated fairly.

Thankful for Your Support

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From farmworkers to food; climate change to personal health; immigration to rural life; good government to peace. The North Carolina Council of Churches continues to work toward a time when “the least of these” are recognized and valued as beloved children of God. When elected leaders work together for the common good. When health and […]

Thankful for Your Support

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From farmworkers to food; climate change to personal health; immigration to rural life; good government to peace. The North Carolina Council of Churches continues to work toward a time when “the least of these” are recognized and valued as beloved children of God. When elected leaders work together for the common good. When health and […]

Blessings of the Thanksgiving Season

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - words by Robert Robinson

Blessings of the Thanksgiving Season

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing – words by Robert Robinson

Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millán

Sharing the Story: Empowerment through Radical Hospitality

By chris

Thank you for your decision to conquer evil with good. You have decided to defeat opposition and resistance with diligence and perseverance. But above all, thank you for allowing love and hospitality to prevail over hate and hostility. When I arrived to this country it was precisely people like you, women and men of faith that practiced hospitably and your Christian love, who left an impression and transformed my life forever. Please don’t have any doubt that God uses every gesture of Christian love and radical hospitality that you make towards an immigrant in order to transform lives.

Sharing the Story: Empowerment through Radical Hospitality

by chris

Thank you for your decision to conquer evil with good. You have decided to defeat opposition and resistance with diligence and perseverance. But above all, thank you for allowing love and hospitality to prevail over hate and hostility. When I arrived to this country it was precisely people like you, women and men of faith that practiced hospitably and your Christian love, who left an impression and transformed my life forever. Please don’t have any doubt that God uses every gesture of Christian love and radical hospitality that you make towards an immigrant in order to transform lives.

Food Day Flash Mob a Success

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Experiencing Food Day across the nation was a big success. Many people came together to celebrate healthy, sustainable, affordable, and fair food. The real success, that we can have a system that is healthy, sustainable, affordable, and fair, comes through the actions you and I take.  But for now, working to bring awareness and the […]

Food Day Flash Mob a Success

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Experiencing Food Day across the nation was a big success. Many people came together to celebrate healthy, sustainable, affordable, and fair food. The real success, that we can have a system that is healthy, sustainable, affordable, and fair, comes through the actions you and I take.  But for now, working to bring awareness and the […]

The importance of Latino voters

What the Election Means for Immigration

By chris

Thankfully the election is over and the American people can look forward to their leaders governing for a season before returning to full-scale re-election mode. While the economy continues to dominate headlines in both the Business and Politics sections of the paper, one of the most pressing issues facing the 113th Congress is comprehensive immigration reform. Election night demonstrated the growing power of Latino voters and the renewed demand for results on immigration policy.

What the Election Means for Immigration

by chris

Thankfully the election is over and the American people can look forward to their leaders governing for a season before returning to full-scale re-election mode. While the economy continues to dominate headlines in both the Business and Politics sections of the paper, one of the most pressing issues facing the 113th Congress is comprehensive immigration reform. Election night demonstrated the growing power of Latino voters and the renewed demand for results on immigration policy.

CPR Less Likely in Low Income Neighborhoods

By Trinh Le, Former Strive to Revive Assistant - Partners in Health and Wholeness

WFMY News 2HD

Ramsuer, NC - What if your chances of surviving a heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest, depended on the neighborhood you lived in? According to a new study, it just may. The New England Journal of Medicine suggests CPR by a bystander is less likely in low-income areas. They go on to say there is a direct relationship between household income and the racial makeup of a neighborhood.

CPR Less Likely in Low Income Neighborhoods

WFMY News 2HD

Ramsuer, NC – What if your chances of surviving a heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest, depended on the neighborhood you lived in? According to a new study, it just may. The New England Journal of Medicine suggests CPR by a bystander is less likely in low-income areas. They go on to say there is a direct relationship between household income and the racial makeup of a neighborhood.

Resources on Faith and Farmworkers

By chris

There is a wide variety of resources available to aid you and your congregation in exploring how your faith relates to your relationship with farmworkers.

Resources on Faith and Farmworkers

by chris

There is a wide variety of resources available to aid you and your congregation in exploring how your faith relates to your relationship with farmworkers.

PHW Featured in NC Medical Journal

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Willona Stallings, PHW Program Coordinator, co-authored a section on working with faith communities to improve population health in the September/October issue of the NC Medical Journal (NCMJ). Stallings highlighted the intrinsic strengths of congregations across NC and the US to create community change, namely their existing infrastructures (e.g., space for promoting physical activity) and built-in […]

PHW Featured in NC Medical Journal

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Willona Stallings, PHW Program Coordinator, co-authored a section on working with faith communities to improve population health in the September/October issue of the NC Medical Journal (NCMJ). Stallings highlighted the intrinsic strengths of congregations across NC and the US to create community change, namely their existing infrastructures (e.g., space for promoting physical activity) and built-in […]

New Pilot Program: Neighbors Together

By chris

Practicing Hospitality, Building Bridges, Making Friends The debate about immigration policy continues to divide people of good will across our nation and our state. Immigration divides us, in part, because of both the breadth and the depth of the issues involved – from powerful global economics to fast-changing local cultures, from the complex world of […]

New Pilot Program: Neighbors Together

by chris

Practicing Hospitality, Building Bridges, Making Friends The debate about immigration policy continues to divide people of good will across our nation and our state. Immigration divides us, in part, because of both the breadth and the depth of the issues involved – from powerful global economics to fast-changing local cultures, from the complex world of […]

Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our prayers are with our sisters and brothers who continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and also with those who are working tirelessly to provide relief. The road ahead of them is long. May we remember their struggle as we move into the seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent. Anyone wishing to provide financial […]

Prayers for Those Impacted by the Storm

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our prayers are with our sisters and brothers who continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and also with those who are working tirelessly to provide relief. The road ahead of them is long. May we remember their struggle as we move into the seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent. Anyone wishing to provide financial […]

Mini-grants to Support Congregations in Promoting Health

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), the Council’s faith-based health initiative, is now offering mini-grants to support congregations in your efforts to promote healthy, active lifestyles. In order to qualify, a congregation must first become PHW-certified – i.e., offer healthier church meals; name a health contact person; maintain tobacco-free buildings and take part in other […]

Mini-grants to Support Congregations in Promoting Health

by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), the Council’s faith-based health initiative, is now offering mini-grants to support congregations in your efforts to promote healthy, active lifestyles. In order to qualify, a congregation must first become PHW-certified – i.e., offer healthier church meals; name a health contact person; maintain tobacco-free buildings and take part in other […]

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Connects Health to Faith

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Sabrina Morris, a nurse at Cape Fear Valley Health, is helping to connect health as a faith issue within Fayetteville’s Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the support of her pastor, David C. Camps Sr. Over the summer, the health ministry team at MCMB served healthy snacks to congregants, boosting health morale within the church. The health ministry team has […]

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Connects Health to Faith

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Sabrina Morris, a nurse at Cape Fear Valley Health, is helping to connect health as a faith issue within Fayetteville’s Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the support of her pastor, David C. Camps Sr. Over the summer, the health ministry team at MCMB served healthy snacks to congregants, boosting health morale within the church. The health ministry team has […]

Our Responsibility to Vote

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our middle son and I went to early vote on Saturday, taking advantage of his visit home for fall break. He is 18, and this is his first general election. We have impressed upon him and his older brother that how they vote – for whom and what – is a matter of thoughtful, personal […]

Our Responsibility to Vote

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our middle son and I went to early vote on Saturday, taking advantage of his visit home for fall break. He is 18, and this is his first general election. We have impressed upon him and his older brother that how they vote – for whom and what – is a matter of thoughtful, personal […]

Latest National Survey on Climate Change Beliefs

By Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

The Center for Climate Change Communication, a joint project of Yale and George Mason Universities, released last month its most recent national survey of American’s beliefs about climate change. It turns out that in this sample that scientifically represents the nation, 70% of Americans now recognize that climate change is happening and more than half […]

Latest National Survey on Climate Change Beliefs

by Kathy Shea, Former Senior Advisor - NCIPL

The Center for Climate Change Communication, a joint project of Yale and George Mason Universities, released last month its most recent national survey of American’s beliefs about climate change. It turns out that in this sample that scientifically represents the nation, 70% of Americans now recognize that climate change is happening and more than half […]

Critical Issue — Children’s Dental Health

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

I’ve got critical issue overload. How about you? So probably the last thing you want to hear about is one more issue that really needs to be on our radar screens but isn’t. But here it is – dental care for children, especially for children who live in or near poverty. Last Sunday, Kathy Higgins […]

Critical Issue — Children’s Dental Health

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

I’ve got critical issue overload. How about you? So probably the last thing you want to hear about is one more issue that really needs to be on our radar screens but isn’t. But here it is – dental care for children, especially for children who live in or near poverty. Last Sunday, Kathy Higgins […]

Clergy Breakfast on Immigration – Yadkinville

By chris

This year, the NC Council of Churches is continuing its successful statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders, and they provide an overview of immigration issues in the context of a great networking event (and free breakfast!). To date, over 500 NC clergy and faith leaders have participated […]

Clergy Breakfast on Immigration – Yadkinville

by chris

This year, the NC Council of Churches is continuing its successful statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders, and they provide an overview of immigration issues in the context of a great networking event (and free breakfast!). To date, over 500 NC clergy and faith leaders have participated […]