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Domestic Violence

Faith, Hope, and Healing: #Every1KnowsSome1

By Mary Peacock, Domestic Violence Advocate

Have you seen the trending #Every1KnowsSome1 for domestic violence awareness? It may surprise you to think you know someone. Or maybe you think you are the only one? In truth, it is an understatement. Statistically speaking, we all know a lot of “someones,” but we tend to get a bit squirmy and start looking for […]

Faith, Hope, and Healing: #Every1KnowsSome1

by Mary Peacock, Domestic Violence Advocate

Have you seen the trending #Every1KnowsSome1 for domestic violence awareness? It may surprise you to think you know someone. Or maybe you think you are the only one? In truth, it is an understatement. Statistically speaking, we all know a lot of “someones,” but we tend to get a bit squirmy and start looking for […]

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women

By Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

2018 is shaping up to the be the Year of the Woman. From the halls of government to stages and theaters from coast to coast, from marches and protest to industry strikes and the leadership of young students: Women are raising their voices and telling all of us about the world as they see it […]

Critical Issues Seminar: The Wisdom of Women

by Andrew Hudgins, Program Associate for Operations

2018 is shaping up to the be the Year of the Woman. From the halls of government to stages and theaters from coast to coast, from marches and protest to industry strikes and the leadership of young students: Women are raising their voices and telling all of us about the world as they see it […]

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

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would roll back existing gun safety laws. A version of the previously introduced H.B. 746 is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary IV committee on Wednesday. A new version of the bill would likely eliminate North Carolina’s pistol […]

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

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would roll back existing gun safety laws. A version of the previously introduced H.B. 746 is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary IV committee on Wednesday. A new version of the bill would likely eliminate North Carolina’s pistol […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid expansion might learn something. Dr. Erica Pettigrew, medical director of the Orange County Health Department, shared four different cases from a single day’s work where […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid expansion might learn something. Dr. Erica Pettigrew, medical director of the Orange County Health Department, shared four different cases from a single day’s work where […]

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act as though they were drunk with power. They have the votes not merely to set conservative policies on spending, taxes, education, health care, protection or misprotection of the environment — votes they’ve been only too happy to cast. They […]

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act as though they were drunk with power. They have the votes not merely to set conservative policies on spending, taxes, education, health care, protection or misprotection of the environment — votes they’ve been only too happy to cast. They […]

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through programs that serve women, people of color, those of low income (for poor women of color, that would mean the same old same old), the arts, the environment, education, job creation, and science.  Couple it with the proposed health […]

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through programs that serve women, people of color, those of low income (for poor women of color, that would mean the same old same old), the arts, the environment, education, job creation, and science.  Couple it with the proposed health […]

Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 75, Constitutional Amendment – Maximum Income Tax Rate of 5.5%. The Constitution currently sets a maximum rate for income tax at 10%. S 75, which would have to be approved by voters, would lower that maximum to 5.5%. (Currently the flat rate […]

Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 75, Constitutional Amendment – Maximum Income Tax Rate of 5.5%. The Constitution currently sets a maximum rate for income tax at 10%. S 75, which would have to be approved by voters, would lower that maximum to 5.5%. (Currently the flat rate […]

Sanctuary, Not Deportation

By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

First in a series of three blogs. God calls people of faith to remember that they once were strangers in a strange land and they must, must welcome the stranger as an expression of covenant faithfulness. (Leviticus 19:33-34) For the past several weeks I have been working on organizing a webinar, “Loving Our Neighbors in […]

Sanctuary, Not Deportation

by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

First in a series of three blogs. God calls people of faith to remember that they once were strangers in a strange land and they must, must welcome the stranger as an expression of covenant faithfulness. (Leviticus 19:33-34) For the past several weeks I have been working on organizing a webinar, “Loving Our Neighbors in […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & Light, MomsRising, Faith in Public Life, and the National Council of Churches are just some of the organizations calling on people of conscience to speak […]

Beyond Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience About Ending America’s Deadly Epidemic

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us one month from today for a weekend of preaching and teaching about the cost of gun violence to our nation and how we can bring about change. Speakers will include: ·         Matthew Crebbin, Senior Minister of Newtown Congregational Church (UCC) ·         Mark Carman, American Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership ·         James Atwood, theologian […]

Beyond Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience About Ending America’s Deadly Epidemic

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us one month from today for a weekend of preaching and teaching about the cost of gun violence to our nation and how we can bring about change. Speakers will include: ·         Matthew Crebbin, Senior Minister of Newtown Congregational Church (UCC) ·         Mark Carman, American Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership ·         James Atwood, theologian […]

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 in many ways – in how we relate to one another, in the policies our elected officials put in place, in who has enough. For […]

Advent Guide Focuses on Peace

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

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 in many ways – in how we relate to one another, in the policies our elected officials put in place, in who has enough. For […]

Speak Peace

By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the International Day of Peace. Words make a world. The words we use become embedded in the ways we think about the world around us. So, we have bullet points, target dates, and killer ideas. We shoot emails, fire off […]

Speak Peace

by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Remarks delivered on September 21 by Executive Director Jennifer Copeland at a press conference marking the International Day of Peace. Words make a world. The words we use become embedded in the ways we think about the world around us. So, we have bullet points, target dates, and killer ideas. We shoot emails, fire off […]

Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking

By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

At the North Carolina Council of Churches, our work is often guided by Isaiah 1:17, which advises,​“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” In my work I often focus on calling people to see the sacred worth in strangers and immigrants and farmworkers in their […]

Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking

by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

At the North Carolina Council of Churches, our work is often guided by Isaiah 1:17, which advises,​“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” In my work I often focus on calling people to see the sacred worth in strangers and immigrants and farmworkers in their […]

Veto Overriders Flex Their Muscles

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina’s General Assembly has muddled through many undistinguished moments since conservative Republicans took charge four years ago. Now, with an ongoing cascade of wrongheaded decisions, it’s adding to that disappointing and even destructive list. Gov. Pat McCrory, also a Republican but one who wants to be seen as more of a moderate, relatively speaking, […]

Veto Overriders Flex Their Muscles

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina’s General Assembly has muddled through many undistinguished moments since conservative Republicans took charge four years ago. Now, with an ongoing cascade of wrongheaded decisions, it’s adding to that disappointing and even destructive list. Gov. Pat McCrory, also a Republican but one who wants to be seen as more of a moderate, relatively speaking, […]

Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and others are sponsoring an Interfaith Call-in Day to ensure that the voices of faithful Americans are heard throughout the halls of Congress on April 9. You can call NC Senators Hagan and Burr at 1-888-897-0174 and urge them to act to prevent gun violence. As […]

Interfaith Call-in Day to Prevent Gun Violence April 9

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The National Council of Churches, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and others are sponsoring an Interfaith Call-in Day to ensure that the voices of faithful Americans are heard throughout the halls of Congress on April 9. You can call NC Senators Hagan and Burr at 1-888-897-0174 and urge them to act to prevent gun violence. As […]

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Next week, the United States Senate is expected to take up legislation intended to curb gun violence. Given recent mass atrocities at the hands of gunmen along with the daily loss of life by those who turn to guns as a surrogate for civil disagreement, progress on the issue should be inevitable. But it’s not. Lobbying by groups like […]

U.S. Senate Expected to Take Up Gun Legislation

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Next week, the United States Senate is expected to take up legislation intended to curb gun violence. Given recent mass atrocities at the hands of gunmen along with the daily loss of life by those who turn to guns as a surrogate for civil disagreement, progress on the issue should be inevitable. But it’s not. Lobbying by groups like […]

National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If ending gun violence were easy, nightmares like Sandy Hook would never happen. Young lives would not end on urban streets in a hail of bullets. We wouldn’t need to parse the difference between automatic and semi-automatic. Just as taking away guns does not inherently make us safe from harm, we need to move beyond the lie […]

National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If ending gun violence were easy, nightmares like Sandy Hook would never happen. Young lives would not end on urban streets in a hail of bullets. We wouldn’t need to parse the difference between automatic and semi-automatic. Just as taking away guns does not inherently make us safe from harm, we need to move beyond the lie […]

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 […]

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 […]

Statement on Passage of Amendment One

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

In light of yesterday’s vote to add a discriminatory amendment about marriage to our state’s constitution, it is important to consider what was accomplished through this campaign and what it tells us about progress. First, the fine work of a committed group of people has resulted in alliances and coalitions that hadn’t existed before. People […]

Statement on Passage of Amendment One

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

In light of yesterday’s vote to add a discriminatory amendment about marriage to our state’s constitution, it is important to consider what was accomplished through this campaign and what it tells us about progress. First, the fine work of a committed group of people has resulted in alliances and coalitions that hadn’t existed before. People […]

Reed’s Full Radio Interview Against Amendment One

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Executive Director George Reed’s full interview with NC Policy Watch from Sunday is now available here.  In it, Reed explains the Council’s opposition to Amendment One. People of faith who have not yet voted can make their voices heard on May 8 and prevent this discriminatory amendment from becoming part of the North Carolina Constitution. — […]

Reed’s Full Radio Interview Against Amendment One

Executive Director George Reed’s full interview with NC Policy Watch from Sunday is now available here.  In it, Reed explains the Council’s opposition to Amendment One. People of faith who have not yet voted can make their voices heard on May 8 and prevent this discriminatory amendment from becoming part of the North Carolina Constitution. — […]

Reed Explains Council’s Opposition to Amendment One on Sunday Radio Show

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Hear George Reed explain the Council’s opposition to Amendment One on Sunday morning’s News & Views hosted by Chris Fitzsimon of NC Policy Watch. The program airs at 7 a.m. on WRAL 101.5 and at 7:30 a.m. on WCMC 99.9. For those who miss it, check the Council website on Monday for an MP3 of […]

Reed Explains Council’s Opposition to Amendment One on Sunday Radio Show

Hear George Reed explain the Council’s opposition to Amendment One on Sunday morning’s News & Views hosted by Chris Fitzsimon of NC Policy Watch. The program airs at 7 a.m. on WRAL 101.5 and at 7:30 a.m. on WCMC 99.9. For those who miss it, check the Council website on Monday for an MP3 of […]

Keep Discrimination Out of the NC Constitution — Vote May 8

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Council Friends— I am writing you with a last-minute appeal to get to the polls for next Tuesday’s election, when voters decide whether to amend the state constitution, defining marriage between a man and a woman as “the only domestic legal union” inNorth Carolina. In addition to inserting discrimination based on sexual orientation into our […]

Keep Discrimination Out of the NC Constitution — Vote May 8

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Council Friends— I am writing you with a last-minute appeal to get to the polls for next Tuesday’s election, when voters decide whether to amend the state constitution, defining marriage between a man and a woman as “the only domestic legal union” inNorth Carolina. In addition to inserting discrimination based on sexual orientation into our […]

Early Voting and Amendment One

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Early voting is now under way for North Carolina’s May 8 primary. Between now and May 5, you can vote if you are already registered, and you can register and vote at the same time (one-stop voting) if you are not already registered. To find out the places and hours for early voting in your […]

Early Voting and Amendment One

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Early voting is now under way for North Carolina’s May 8 primary. Between now and May 5, you can vote if you are already registered, and you can register and vote at the same time (one-stop voting) if you are not already registered. To find out the places and hours for early voting in your […]

3rd National Restorative Justice Conference

By David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

The Third National Conference on Restorative Justice will bring together academics, community leaders, educators, faith leaders, judges, politicians, policy makers, practitioners and concerned community members to explore the use of restorative justice principles and practices.  This conference will have a particular focus on multi-cultural and indigenous communities. Speakers include Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Howard Zehr, John […]

3rd National Restorative Justice Conference

by David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace

The Third National Conference on Restorative Justice will bring together academics, community leaders, educators, faith leaders, judges, politicians, policy makers, practitioners and concerned community members to explore the use of restorative justice principles and practices.  This conference will have a particular focus on multi-cultural and indigenous communities. Speakers include Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Howard Zehr, John […]

2010 Session Wrap-Up

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday was the deadline for Governor Perdue to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly in the last weeks of the session. Interestingly, yesterday she let a bill become law without her signature.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, and more.

2010 Session Wrap-Up

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Yesterday was the deadline for Governor Perdue to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly in the last weeks of the session. Interestingly, yesterday she let a bill become law without her signature.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, and more.

Raleigh Report: General Assembly Addressing Childhood Obesity

By chris

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity epidemic is drastically affecting North Carolina. In 2009, North Carolina ranked 14th worst in the nation in childhood overweight and obesity for children ages 10-17, with more than one-third (33.5%) of our children being overweight or obese.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, Health, Housing, People with Disabilities, Public Education, and more.

Raleigh Report: General Assembly Addressing Childhood Obesity

by chris

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity epidemic is drastically affecting North Carolina. In 2009, North Carolina ranked 14th worst in the nation in childhood overweight and obesity for children ages 10-17, with more than one-third (33.5%) of our children being overweight or obese.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Domestic Violence, Environment, Gambling, Health, Housing, People with Disabilities, Public Education, and more.

Policy Statement on Domestic Violence

By North Carolina Council of Churches

The scriptures instruct us to love one another – to create mutually respectful relationships in which there is shared responsibility, negotiation and fairness, trust and support, honesty and accountability.  When violence is present in a relationship, it is a violation against the image of God in which we all have been created.  Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that one person uses to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner or ex-partner. This behavior includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse (a form of which is economic coercion).

Policy Statement on Domestic Violence

by North Carolina Council of Churches

The scriptures instruct us to love one another – to create mutually respectful relationships in which there is shared responsibility, negotiation and fairness, trust and support, honesty and accountability.  When violence is present in a relationship, it is a violation against the image of God in which we all have been created.  Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that one person uses to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner or ex-partner. This behavior includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse (a form of which is economic coercion).