Devotional / For Reflection

2026 Lenten Guide – A Calendar of Faithful Action

January 21, 2026 By North Carolina Council of Churches

This Lenten season, join us in a journey of reflection, learning, and faithful action. Each week focuses on a theme – from mental health and farmworker justice to creation care, […]

2026 Lenten Guide – A Calendar of Faithful Action

January 21, 2026 by North Carolina Council of Churches

This Lenten season, join us in a journey of reflection, learning, and faithful action. Each week focuses on a theme – from mental health and farmworker justice to creation care, […]

Congregational Toolkit: Supporting Immigrants and Welcoming Strangers

November 20, 2025 By North Carolina Council of Churches

This toolkit is designed to equip faith leaders and congregations with practical resources to respond to the current immigration enforcement landscape. It provides talking points for leaders, worship materials, congregational […]

Congregational Toolkit: Supporting Immigrants and Welcoming Strangers

November 20, 2025 by North Carolina Council of Churches

2025 Lenten Guide: The Year of the Lord

February 20, 2025 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Our 2025 Lenten Guide: The Year of the Lord invites us to reflect on the powerful words of Jesus from Isaiah, as recorded in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the […]

2025 Lenten Guide: The Year of the Lord

February 20, 2025 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Our 2025 Lenten Guide: The Year of the Lord invites us to reflect on the powerful words of Jesus from Isaiah, as recorded in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the […]

2024 Advent Guide: Hope Is Near

November 5, 2024 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

As we begin Advent, we’re reminded that the First Sunday calls us into Hope. Hope isn’t the same as optimism. While optimism insists on silver linings, hope goes deeper, trusting […]

2024 Advent Guide: Hope Is Near

November 5, 2024 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

As we begin Advent, we’re reminded that the First Sunday calls us into Hope. Hope isn’t the same as optimism. While optimism insists on silver linings, hope goes deeper, trusting […]

Abundant Life Study Guide

October 24, 2024 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

This study guide is designed to help you explore the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit through a faith lens. Over the course of four sessions, you will engage with […]

Abundant Life Study Guide

October 24, 2024 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

This study guide is designed to help you explore the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit through a faith lens. Over the course of four sessions, you will engage with […]

Guía de Reflexión para Electores Devotos: Carolina del Norte

September 18, 2024 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Con este recurso, los lectores profundizarán en el corazón de la fe y el deber cívico, explorando cómo nuestras creencias dan forma a las decisiones que tomamos en las urnas. […]

Guía de Reflexión para Electores Devotos: Carolina del Norte

September 18, 2024 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Con este recurso, los lectores profundizarán en el corazón de la fe y el deber cívico, explorando cómo nuestras creencias dan forma a las decisiones que tomamos en las urnas. […]

Faithful Voter Reflection Guide

May 17, 2024 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

With this resource, readers will dive deep into the heart of faith and civic duty, exploring how our beliefs shape the choices we make at the ballot box. Guided by […]

Faithful Voter Reflection Guide

May 17, 2024 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

With this resource, readers will dive deep into the heart of faith and civic duty, exploring how our beliefs shape the choices we make at the ballot box. Guided by […]

2024 Lenten Guide: Terror and Amazement

January 29, 2024 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Join us on a transformative journey this Lenten season with our 2024 Lenten Guide: Terror and Amazement. Life is filled with the unexpected, but it’s in the unexpected where we discover our […]

2024 Lenten Guide: Terror and Amazement

January 29, 2024 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Join us on a transformative journey this Lenten season with our 2024 Lenten Guide: Terror and Amazement. Life is filled with the unexpected, but it’s in the unexpected where we discover our […]

2023 Advent Guide: A Journey Towards Justice for Women and the LGBTQ+ Community

October 23, 2023 By North Carolina Council of Churches

This Advent season, coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, aligns secular principles with Christian doctrine in the shared pursuit of ending oppression. This year’s Advent […]

2023 Advent Guide: A Journey Towards Justice for Women and the LGBTQ+ Community

October 23, 2023 by North Carolina Council of Churches

2023 Lenten Guide: A Season of Renewal

February 16, 2023 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The staff of the North Carolina Council of Churches offer these devotions in gratitude for the work you enable us to do in pursuit of God’s good world. And we […]

2023 Lenten Guide: A Season of Renewal

February 16, 2023 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The staff of the North Carolina Council of Churches offer these devotions in gratitude for the work you enable us to do in pursuit of God’s good world. And we […]

Growing Communities of Inclusion: A Faithful Response to HIV

January 3, 2023 By chris

It has been 41 years since HIV/ AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was first discovered in 1981. Since that first discovery, there have been many advancements in detecting […]

Growing Communities of Inclusion: A Faithful Response to HIV

January 3, 2023 by chris

2022 Advent Guide Keep Awake

December 7, 2022 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The central calling of an Advent ethic is waiting. But this waiting is not a passive or idle activity. The root word for wait is the same root word for […]

2022 Advent Guide Keep Awake

December 7, 2022 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The central calling of an Advent ethic is waiting. But this waiting is not a passive or idle activity. The root word for wait is the same root word for […]

2022 Lenten Guide: 40 Days of Positive Change

February 11, 2022 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Christians often use the season of Lent to focus on the basics. Some of us practice denial of certain luxuries and others practice the addition of spiritual disciplines. The point […]

2022 Lenten Guide: 40 Days of Positive Change

February 11, 2022 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Christians often use the season of Lent to focus on the basics. Some of us practice denial of certain luxuries and others practice the addition of spiritual disciplines. The point […]

2022 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

January 3, 2022 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

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 […]

2022 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

January 3, 2022 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

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 […]

2021 Advent: It is Well with My Soul

November 8, 2021 By North Carolina Council of Churches

How is it with your soul? This was the question asked weekly of those who gathered in the first Methodist societies organized by John and Charles Wesley while they were […]

2021 Advent: It is Well with My Soul

November 8, 2021 by North Carolina Council of Churches

How is it with your soul? This was the question asked weekly of those who gathered in the first Methodist societies organized by John and Charles Wesley while they were […]

2021 Death Penalty Abolition Sabbath Toolkit

September 21, 2021 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The North Carolina Council of Churches is promoting the weekend of Oct. 8-10, 2021, as Death Penalty Abolition Sabbath and are encouraging all faith communities to learn, preach, and pray […]

2021 Death Penalty Abolition Sabbath Toolkit

September 21, 2021 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The North Carolina Council of Churches is promoting the weekend of Oct. 8-10, 2021, as Death Penalty Abolition Sabbath and are encouraging all faith communities to learn, preach, and pray […]

2021 Lenten Guide: Enough for All

February 9, 2021 By North Carolina Council of Churches

How much is enough? Scripture has a treasure trove of advice for defining enough and even more advice on how to make sure everyone has enough. And not merely enough […]

2021 Lenten Guide: Enough for All

February 9, 2021 by North Carolina Council of Churches

How much is enough? Scripture has a treasure trove of advice for defining enough and even more advice on how to make sure everyone has enough. And not merely enough […]

2020 Advent Guide: The Heart of the Work

November 19, 2020 By North Carolina Council of Churches

As I write these words (early enough for compilation, printing, and delivery into your hands), we are all watching polls, listening to commentators, and considering how best to cast a […]

2020 Advent Guide: The Heart of the Work

November 19, 2020 by North Carolina Council of Churches

As I write these words (early enough for compilation, printing, and delivery into your hands), we are all watching polls, listening to commentators, and considering how best to cast a […]

2020 Lenten Guide: Power Made Perfect in Weakness

February 20, 2020 By North Carolina Council of Churches

God does not look for perfection in God’s disciples. Instead, God only looks for openness to God’s grace, which is all God needs to turn weakness into something great. This […]

2020 Lenten Guide: Power Made Perfect in Weakness

February 20, 2020 by North Carolina Council of Churches

God does not look for perfection in God’s disciples. Instead, God only looks for openness to God’s grace, which is all God needs to turn weakness into something great. This […]

2019 Advent Guide: Cultivating Care for Creation

November 26, 2019 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

This advent season, the Council decided our theme would be focused on Climate Change. As people of faith, we proclaim our belief that our world is God’s creation, that God […]

2019 Advent Guide: Cultivating Care for Creation

November 26, 2019 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

This advent season, the Council decided our theme would be focused on Climate Change. As people of faith, we proclaim our belief that our world is God’s creation, that God […]

2019 Lenten Reflection Guide: Waiting

March 6, 2019 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The liturgical season of Lent is all about waiting. Waiting for the day when God’s peace overcomes the chaos of the world. Waiting for justice in the midst of injustice. […]

2019 Lenten Reflection Guide: Waiting

March 6, 2019 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The liturgical season of Lent is all about waiting. Waiting for the day when God’s peace overcomes the chaos of the world. Waiting for justice in the midst of injustice. […]

2018 Advent Guide: My Soul Magnifies the Lord

November 20, 2018 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The lectionary readings for this advent season bring us Luke’s account of the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. In that narrative, we have a beautiful piece of prose penned to […]

2018 Advent Guide: My Soul Magnifies the Lord

November 20, 2018 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The lectionary readings for this advent season bring us Luke’s account of the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. In that narrative, we have a beautiful piece of prose penned to […]

Earth Sabbath Celebrations

May 24, 2018 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Growing out of the Earth Contemplations held in Asheville in 2009-2010, the Earth Sabbath Celebrations are contemplative and experiential services which utilize community building exercises, readings from many faith traditions, […]

Earth Sabbath Celebrations

May 24, 2018 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

2018 Lenten Guide: A Journey to Justice

February 4, 2018 By North Carolina Council of Churches

2018 Lenten Guide: A Journey to Justice

February 4, 2018 by North Carolina Council of Churches

2019 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

January 1, 2018 By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

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 […]

2019 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

January 1, 2018 by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

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 […]

2017 Advent Guide: A Season of Hope

November 15, 2017 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The theme for our Advent Guide this year is hope. After considering various themes, we chose hope for the reminder of eternal Hope rather than the spurts of an optimistic outlook. We […]

2017 Advent Guide: A Season of Hope

November 15, 2017 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The theme for our Advent Guide this year is hope. After considering various themes, we chose hope for the reminder of eternal Hope rather than the spurts of an optimistic outlook. We […]

2017 Lenten Guide: Sing With Us

February 27, 2017 By North Carolina Council of Churches

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

2017 Lenten Guide: Sing With Us

February 27, 2017 by North Carolina Council of Churches

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

2016 Advent Guide: How Will We Welcome the Prince of Peace

November 10, 2016 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work in opposition to violence, there has long been the recognition that peace manifests itself […]

2016 Advent Guide: How Will We Welcome the Prince of Peace

November 10, 2016 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The NC Council of Churches has never taken peace for granted. Indeed, along with our work in opposition to violence, there has long been the recognition that peace manifests itself […]

2016 Lenten Guide: Love One Another

February 7, 2016 By North Carolina Council of Churches

When we set out to prepare this year’s Lenten guide, the contributors were told they could choose whichever lectionary passage they wanted to write about for their given date as long […]

2016 Lenten Guide: Love One Another

February 7, 2016 by North Carolina Council of Churches

When we set out to prepare this year’s Lenten guide, the contributors were told they could choose whichever lectionary passage they wanted to write about for their given date as long […]

2015 In Those Days and In These: An Advent Guide

October 26, 2015 By chris

How desperate would your life need to be for you to leave everyone and everything you knew in pursuit of a better one? To venture into a new place where […]

2015 In Those Days and In These: An Advent Guide

October 26, 2015 by chris

How desperate would your life need to be for you to leave everyone and everything you knew in pursuit of a better one? To venture into a new place where […]

2014 Advent Guide: For To Us a Child is Born

November 24, 2014 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The Council’s 2014 Advent Devotional Guide is now available as a free download. Each year, Council staff take a social justice theme as a focus for these guides to be used during the […]

2014 Advent Guide: For To Us a Child is Born

November 24, 2014 by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

The Council’s 2014 Advent Devotional Guide is now available as a free download. Each year, Council staff take a social justice theme as a focus for these guides to be used during the […]

Prayers for Creation from Many Different Faith Traditions

May 30, 2014 By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Prayers for Creation from Many Different Faith Traditions

May 30, 2014 by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

2014 Lenten Guide: A Time to Mend

February 6, 2014 By chris

Economic circumstances too often define us. How much we do or do not earn can put us on a path that either buffers our failures or tempers our successes. The […]

2014 Lenten Guide: A Time to Mend

February 6, 2014 by chris

Economic circumstances too often define us. How much we do or do not earn can put us on a path that either buffers our failures or tempers our successes. The […]

2013 God With Us: A Social Justice Advent Guide for Families

November 4, 2013 By chris

Because the season of Advent is a time of awaiting the Christ child and the risen Christ, it is a perfect time to think about social justice issues. Christ’s ministry, which is explored in other seasons of the Christian year, focuses on lifting up those whom society regarded as worthless or weak, including the poor, the ill, the foreigner, women, and children. Social justice was at the core of Jesus’ ministry. Based on the Advent readings for Lectionary Year A, this guide will assist you in slowing down this season by taking 20-30 minutes one night a week to focus on social justice.

Devotional / For Reflection

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