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Food

Finding Amazement With Teens and Worms

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness continues to amaze me. I had a chance to visit Laurinburg Presbyterian Church where PHW is incorporating their program for healthier lifestyles. Of course this is with the help of some congregation members and local teenagers in the community who seemed very excited to be a part of the health […]

Finding Amazement With Teens and Worms

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness continues to amaze me. I had a chance to visit Laurinburg Presbyterian Church where PHW is incorporating their program for healthier lifestyles. Of course this is with the help of some congregation members and local teenagers in the community who seemed very excited to be a part of the health […]

How to Make a Diabetes Emergency Kit for Your Congregation

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

Do you have people in your congregation with type 2 diabetes? Have you considered creating an emergency kit especially for them? PHW liaison, Dr. Renee Lea-Currie of Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church in Burlington, shared the information below with PHW staff to pass along to you. Thank you, Renee! I have encountered too many type 2 […]

How to Make a Diabetes Emergency Kit for Your Congregation

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

Do you have people in your congregation with type 2 diabetes? Have you considered creating an emergency kit especially for them? PHW liaison, Dr. Renee Lea-Currie of Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church in Burlington, shared the information below with PHW staff to pass along to you. Thank you, Renee! I have encountered too many type 2 […]

The Great Tomato Festival

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

On Saturday I had the chance to attend the 5th Annual Great Tomato Festival, which is a collaboration between the Cooperative Extension of Guilford County and NC A&T University. Extension master gardener volunteers plant, tend, harvest and prepare the tomatoes for the event. NC A&T provides land for growing the tomatoes and the venue for the […]

The Great Tomato Festival

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

On Saturday I had the chance to attend the 5th Annual Great Tomato Festival, which is a collaboration between the Cooperative Extension of Guilford County and NC A&T University. Extension master gardener volunteers plant, tend, harvest and prepare the tomatoes for the event. NC A&T provides land for growing the tomatoes and the venue for the […]

2014 PHW Youth Conference

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Lord raised up Laquanda Bowden of Empowering Word Ministries and her church crew to organize an incredible 2014 Youth Conference. Yes, Partners in Health and Wholeness co-hosted this event, and I don’t want to downplay the role that Willona Stallings played or our summer intern, Johnny Rogers, without whom the PHW side could not […]

2014 PHW Youth Conference

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Lord raised up Laquanda Bowden of Empowering Word Ministries and her church crew to organize an incredible 2014 Youth Conference. Yes, Partners in Health and Wholeness co-hosted this event, and I don’t want to downplay the role that Willona Stallings played or our summer intern, Johnny Rogers, without whom the PHW side could not […]

Food, Fairness and Faith

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

“How is this equal?!” I often articulate this simple phrase whenever I take a look at the world these days. Sometimes I mutter the sentence under my breath in disbelief, and sometimes I exclaim it with disgust or utter shock. The question of equality always surfaces whenever I acknowledge the issues we humans face, particularly […]

Food, Fairness and Faith

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

“How is this equal?!” I often articulate this simple phrase whenever I take a look at the world these days. Sometimes I mutter the sentence under my breath in disbelief, and sometimes I exclaim it with disgust or utter shock. The question of equality always surfaces whenever I acknowledge the issues we humans face, particularly […]

Another Spirit-filled Weekend with Partners in Health and Wholeness

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness co-hosted a youth conference on Saturday, July 12, with Empowering Word Ministries in Wadesboro.  I was honored to be able to participate as a PHW intern. Empowering Word Ministries Church held a spirit filled-praise and worship service with groups from the community and surrounding counties on Friday night, which I attended. […]

Another Spirit-filled Weekend with Partners in Health and Wholeness

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness co-hosted a youth conference on Saturday, July 12, with Empowering Word Ministries in Wadesboro.  I was honored to be able to participate as a PHW intern. Empowering Word Ministries Church held a spirit filled-praise and worship service with groups from the community and surrounding counties on Friday night, which I attended. […]

PHW Welcomes Courtney Ward

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

Courtney Ward is a summer intern with the Alliance of Baptists, working with Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and lending her aid to the Partners in Health and Wholeness Initiative. Born and bred in Frederick, Maryland, Courtney received a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Bachelor’s degree in Religion (both concentrating in American Studies) from Hood […]

PHW Welcomes Courtney Ward

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

Courtney Ward is a summer intern with the Alliance of Baptists, working with Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and lending her aid to the Partners in Health and Wholeness Initiative. Born and bred in Frederick, Maryland, Courtney received a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Bachelor’s degree in Religion (both concentrating in American Studies) from Hood […]

Internship with PHW More than Expected

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From this internship with Partners in Health and Wholeness, my main expectations were to strengthen my employment applications after graduation by adding additional experiences. However, after my first day in the field with Joy Williams, my expectations have changed. Seeing her passion and commitment to her calling has made me realize how important this internship […]

Internship with PHW More than Expected

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

From this internship with Partners in Health and Wholeness, my main expectations were to strengthen my employment applications after graduation by adding additional experiences. However, after my first day in the field with Joy Williams, my expectations have changed. Seeing her passion and commitment to her calling has made me realize how important this internship […]

“A Conspiracy of Sunlight and Sugar”

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Blueberries, blackberries, persimmons and plums!  What is your local fruit IQ?  Do you know when local fruit is in season and where to get it?  The blog  below, written by Barth Anderson, is about his discovery of in-season local fruit. I found it entertaining, enlightening and encouraging. It was also a humorous reminder that if you don’t […]

“A Conspiracy of Sunlight and Sugar”

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Blueberries, blackberries, persimmons and plums!  What is your local fruit IQ?  Do you know when local fruit is in season and where to get it?  The blog  below, written by Barth Anderson, is about his discovery of in-season local fruit. I found it entertaining, enlightening and encouraging. It was also a humorous reminder that if you don’t […]

Worship Resources on Ending Hunger

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Date: Proper 13 - Aug. 3, 2014
Topic: Ending Hunger
Focus Text: Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus’ feeding the multitudes is found in all four gospels. Both Matthew and Mark include two feeding stories. While Luke includes only the feeding of the five thousand, his gospel is filled with significant events surrounding meals. John’s extended account of the feeding of the multitude is interwoven with his account of the Eucharist. All of the evangelists saw in this story something crucial to the identity of Jesus and the life of the church.

Worship Resources on Ending Hunger

by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Date: Proper 13 – Aug. 3, 2014
Topic: Ending Hunger
Focus Text: Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus’ feeding the multitudes is found in all four gospels. Both Matthew and Mark include two feeding stories. While Luke includes only the feeding of the five thousand, his gospel is filled with significant events surrounding meals. John’s extended account of the feeding of the multitude is interwoven with his account of the Eucharist. All of the evangelists saw in this story something crucial to the identity of Jesus and the life of the church.

Men’s Health Week and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

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

There’s lots to celebrate this month. Besides my birthday (smile), the month of June is when we observe Men’s Health Week and National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. These two issues, each important enough on their own, also overlap as men are encouraged to eat nutritious, well-balanced meals in order to remain healthy and strong. Our nation’s dietary guidelines are updated every five years, with the most recent set of guidelines released in 2010. In this report, the US Department of Agriculture advises both men and women to...

Men’s Health Week and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

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

There’s lots to celebrate this month. Besides my birthday (smile), the month of June is when we observe Men’s Health Week and National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. These two issues, each important enough on their own, also overlap as men are encouraged to eat nutritious, well-balanced meals in order to remain healthy and strong. Our nation’s dietary guidelines are updated every five years, with the most recent set of guidelines released in 2010. In this report, the US Department of Agriculture advises both men and women to…

One-Woman Show Kicks Off Breastfeeding Collaborative

By Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

The Partners in Health and Wholeness Breastfeeding Collaborative kicks off with a performance by Anita Woodley of her one-woman show, “Mama Juggs.” Woodley is a nationally renowned local performer and former producer of WUNC-FM’s “The Story.” Her show about breastfeeding and the health of women and children is a fiercely funny, powerful experience that incorporates true stories […]

One-Woman Show Kicks Off Breastfeeding Collaborative

by Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

The Partners in Health and Wholeness Breastfeeding Collaborative kicks off with a performance by Anita Woodley of her one-woman show, “Mama Juggs.” Woodley is a nationally renowned local performer and former producer of WUNC-FM’s “The Story.” Her show about breastfeeding and the health of women and children is a fiercely funny, powerful experience that incorporates true stories […]

Representative Holley Endorses the Breastfeeding Collaborative

By Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

District 38 representative Yvonne Holley recently visited the offices of the North Carolina Council of Churches. She came to express her support for one of the Council’s newest initiatives, The Partners in Health and Wholeness Breastfeeding Collaborative. Rep. Holley is pictured above with the Collaborative’s project director, Marnie Cooper Priest, and with PHW Coordinator Willona […]

Representative Holley Endorses the Breastfeeding Collaborative

by Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

District 38 representative Yvonne Holley recently visited the offices of the North Carolina Council of Churches. She came to express her support for one of the Council’s newest initiatives, The Partners in Health and Wholeness Breastfeeding Collaborative. Rep. Holley is pictured above with the Collaborative’s project director, Marnie Cooper Priest, and with PHW Coordinator Willona […]

Food Drive at Critical Issues Seminar for Backpack Buddies

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

In conjunction with the Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education in June, the NC Council of Churches will be collecting non-perishable items to support Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Backpack Buddies program. In addition, Catering with a Cause, an IFFS job-training program, is providing the lunch for seminar participants. According to Feeding America, North Carolina ranks in the ten worst […]

Food Drive at Critical Issues Seminar for Backpack Buddies

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

In conjunction with the Critical Issues Seminar on Public Education in June, the NC Council of Churches will be collecting non-perishable items to support Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Backpack Buddies program. In addition, Catering with a Cause, an IFFS job-training program, is providing the lunch for seminar participants. According to Feeding America, North Carolina ranks in the ten worst […]

‘Tis the Season for Local Food

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Wait, isn’t that a line from a Christmas song?  Well, yes.  But, when it comes to living a healthy life, what time of year could be better than right now? Temperatures are warming up and farmers markets are opening, making it more desirable to get outside to exercise […]

‘Tis the Season for Local Food

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Wait, isn’t that a line from a Christmas song?  Well, yes.  But, when it comes to living a healthy life, what time of year could be better than right now? Temperatures are warming up and farmers markets are opening, making it more desirable to get outside to exercise […]

PHW Community Hero: Helen Livingston of Scotland County

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Meet one of our community leaders: Helen Livingston of Scotland County. I was able to get her to tell us a bit about herself and her community involvement. Joy: Ms. Helen, could you tell us a bit of a bio of your life and ways that you have contributed to the community? Helen: I grew […]

PHW Community Hero: Helen Livingston of Scotland County

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Meet one of our community leaders: Helen Livingston of Scotland County. I was able to get her to tell us a bit about herself and her community involvement. Joy: Ms. Helen, could you tell us a bit of a bio of your life and ways that you have contributed to the community? Helen: I grew […]

Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World

By Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern

I’ve learned over the last year as I’ve worked to complete my Masters of Social Work degree that health and the availability of nutritious food are justice issues with global proportions. Having just completed an extensive research project about international food aid in partnership with a U.S. non-governmental organization for my capstone requirement, I have witnessed […]

Ending Hunger Through Bread for the World

by Lauren Chesson, Former MSW Intern

I’ve learned over the last year as I’ve worked to complete my Masters of Social Work degree that health and the availability of nutritious food are justice issues with global proportions. Having just completed an extensive research project about international food aid in partnership with a U.S. non-governmental organization for my capstone requirement, I have witnessed […]

Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground?

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

Healthy North Carolina 2020 is a health improvement plan for our state. It addresses a wide range of issues that impact our health, such as tobacco use, physical activity and nutrition, mental health, and injury and violence. Optimal goals have been established in each of these areas, with a 2020 deadline for achieving them. So […]

Healthy North Carolina 2020: Are We Gaining or Losing Ground?

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

Healthy North Carolina 2020 is a health improvement plan for our state. It addresses a wide range of issues that impact our health, such as tobacco use, physical activity and nutrition, mental health, and injury and violence. Optimal goals have been established in each of these areas, with a 2020 deadline for achieving them. So […]

New Health Resource Focuses on Early Childhood Brain Development

By Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

The brain, one of the only organs not fully developed at birth, experiences 90% of its development before age eight. The 2000 days between birth and the start of kindergarten is the focus of a new resource, released by The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, for congregations that would like to help each child to […]

New Health Resource Focuses on Early Childhood Brain Development

by Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

The brain, one of the only organs not fully developed at birth, experiences 90% of its development before age eight. The 2000 days between birth and the start of kindergarten is the focus of a new resource, released by The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, for congregations that would like to help each child to […]

Food Justice Event on April 12

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Last year, I did not see many church leaders and pastors at the food and faith events I attended. I wondered if they knew about these events. As I reflected, I asked another question, “How can the valuable information I am learning about hunger, food insecurity, and food justice be accessible to church leaders and pastors?” Partners […]

Food Justice Event on April 12

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Last year, I did not see many church leaders and pastors at the food and faith events I attended. I wondered if they knew about these events. As I reflected, I asked another question, “How can the valuable information I am learning about hunger, food insecurity, and food justice be accessible to church leaders and pastors?” Partners […]

Bread for the World NC Conference — April 5

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

If you have not already done so, please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 5. You will not want to miss the Bread for the World NC Conference in Greensboro entitled, “Ending Hunger: Compassion Igniting Justice.” The line-up of speakers includes, Frank Stasio, host of The State of Things on North Carolina Public Radio, The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, […]

Bread for the World NC Conference — April 5

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

If you have not already done so, please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 5. You will not want to miss the Bread for the World NC Conference in Greensboro entitled, “Ending Hunger: Compassion Igniting Justice.” The line-up of speakers includes, Frank Stasio, host of The State of Things on North Carolina Public Radio, The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, […]

Third Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Hunger

By chris

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten guide focuses on poverty and the ways we can respond to our sisters and brothers of low-income. We hope you and your family will find cause for reflection and inspiration for action as you share this intergenerational resource together. […]

Third Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Hunger

by chris

In recognition of our faithful call and of this time in history, the Council’s annual Lenten guide focuses on poverty and the ways we can respond to our sisters and brothers of low-income. We hope you and your family will find cause for reflection and inspiration for action as you share this intergenerational resource together. […]

April Event Celebrates Legacy of Lex Mathews

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is sponsoring a “Day of Diocesan Story-Telling and Celebration,” focusing on Lex Mathews’ time as Director of Christian Social Ministries from 1975 until 1985. Longtime activists with the NC Council of Churches will remember Lex’s many involvements with the Council. I’m proud to say that he and I were […]

April Event Celebrates Legacy of Lex Mathews

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is sponsoring a “Day of Diocesan Story-Telling and Celebration,” focusing on Lex Mathews’ time as Director of Christian Social Ministries from 1975 until 1985. Longtime activists with the NC Council of Churches will remember Lex’s many involvements with the Council. I’m proud to say that he and I were […]

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

By Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

Recent, widely disseminated news reports claim that the benefits of breastfeeding have been drastically overstated. This is a startling assertion. It contradicts prolific and long-standing research that has formed the foundation for pro-breastfeeding policies and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Institutes of Medicine, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Department […]

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

by Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

Recent, widely disseminated news reports claim that the benefits of breastfeeding have been drastically overstated. This is a startling assertion. It contradicts prolific and long-standing research that has formed the foundation for pro-breastfeeding policies and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Institutes of Medicine, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Department […]

Second Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Farmworkers

By chris

I’ll never forget how it felt to serve dinner to this group. About 30 hungry, tired farmworkers arrived back at their camp just as it was getting dark, and they were kind enough to welcome us into their humble space for a shared meal. This group of mostly young men had been busy harvesting sweet potatoes down East. Most were indigenous Mexicans who learned Spanish as a second language, who didn’t know any English. As we spooned out rice and beans and poured soda from two-liter bottles, I was struck at how rare it is for any of us to meet the people who actually produce and harvest the food we eat. From our history of slavery to our modern industrial context, our society has not really reckoned with the grim reality of those at the bottom of our food chain.

Second Sunday in Lent: Poverty & Farmworkers

by chris

I’ll never forget how it felt to serve dinner to this group. About 30 hungry, tired farmworkers arrived back at their camp just as it was getting dark, and they were kind enough to welcome us into their humble space for a shared meal. This group of mostly young men had been busy harvesting sweet potatoes down East. Most were indigenous Mexicans who learned Spanish as a second language, who didn’t know any English.

As we spooned out rice and beans and poured soda from two-liter bottles, I was struck at how rare it is for any of us to meet the people who actually produce and harvest the food we eat. From our history of slavery to our modern industrial context, our society has not really reckoned with the grim reality of those at the bottom of our food chain.

Bread: Embodying Justice

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Shannon Axtell Martin, Regional Consultant, Partners in Health & Wholeness

There is nothing like the aroma of bread baking, and the incredibly comforting and satisfying taste of warm, fresh bread. From “give us this day our daily bread” to “I am the bread of heaven” to the feeding of the 5,000 to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, this seemingly simple food is so theologically rich. It is used to represent Christ’s body, God’s provision of manna in the wilderness, and livelihood in general.

Bread: Embodying Justice

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Shannon Axtell Martin, Regional Consultant, Partners in Health & Wholeness

There is nothing like the aroma of bread baking, and the incredibly comforting and satisfying taste of warm, fresh bread. From “give us this day our daily bread” to “I am the bread of heaven” to the feeding of the 5,000 to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, this seemingly simple food is so theologically rich. It is used to represent Christ’s body, God’s provision of manna in the wilderness, and livelihood in general.

PHW Book Club Discussion: The Circle Maker, Chapter One

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson. Just look for the picture of the apple on the books and […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: The Circle Maker, Chapter One

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson. Just look for the picture of the apple on the books and […]

PHW-Certified Congregation Receives Funding to Improve Access to Healthy Foods

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

Love Fellowship Believers – a PHW Silver-Certified Congregation located in Greensboro and under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Kevin Webb – was awarded a Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Youth Advocacy grant to take on the issue of healthy food access in their local community. With rising childhood obesity rates in our state and country, a […]

PHW-Certified Congregation Receives Funding to Improve Access to Healthy Foods

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

Love Fellowship Believers – a PHW Silver-Certified Congregation located in Greensboro and under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Kevin Webb – was awarded a Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Youth Advocacy grant to take on the issue of healthy food access in their local community. With rising childhood obesity rates in our state and country, a […]

Gardening With a Purpose

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I received a notice from a local community garden organizer about a grant opportunity sponsored by a fertilizer company. I shared it with my e-mail group and found one response, in particular, intriguing. Within this email, a local community leader expressed the importance of gardens, eating healthy, and making healthy local food accessible to […]

Gardening With a Purpose

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I received a notice from a local community garden organizer about a grant opportunity sponsored by a fertilizer company. I shared it with my e-mail group and found one response, in particular, intriguing. Within this email, a local community leader expressed the importance of gardens, eating healthy, and making healthy local food accessible to […]

My Personal Food and Faith Story

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

How did faith play a role in shaping my food and faith experience? Food was very much a part of my growing up and interactions with both of my parents’ families. Food was not the only reason why we came together. We came together to rekindle, reconcile, and just have fun together, but food was an […]

My Personal Food and Faith Story

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

How did faith play a role in shaping my food and faith experience? Food was very much a part of my growing up and interactions with both of my parents’ families. Food was not the only reason why we came together. We came together to rekindle, reconcile, and just have fun together, but food was an […]

2014 PHW Certification & Mini-Grants: We’re Now Accepting Applications!

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

New activities and requirements for the 2014 Partners in Health and Wholeness Certification Program are now posted on our website! We hope that you will join this statewide movement to improve the health of people of faith through increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco use prevention and cessation. PHW-certified congregations are taking charge of […]

2014 PHW Certification & Mini-Grants: We’re Now Accepting Applications!

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

New activities and requirements for the 2014 Partners in Health and Wholeness Certification Program are now posted on our website! We hope that you will join this statewide movement to improve the health of people of faith through increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco use prevention and cessation. PHW-certified congregations are taking charge of […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Twenty

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. Just look for the picture of the […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Twenty

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. Just look for the picture of the […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Nineteen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. Just look for the picture of the […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Nineteen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. Just look for the picture of the […]

Are We Past The Holiday Pounds?

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I know that we are past the holidays, but are we past the pounds that we might have packed on? Many times, we are so bombarded by the holiday hype that we hardly have time to consider tips to avoid weight gain. So with 2013 behind us, here are some ideas to consider for 2014 […]

Are We Past The Holiday Pounds?

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I know that we are past the holidays, but are we past the pounds that we might have packed on? Many times, we are so bombarded by the holiday hype that we hardly have time to consider tips to avoid weight gain. So with 2013 behind us, here are some ideas to consider for 2014 […]

A Canine’s Love for Health

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Have you ever thought about what your pet may think of your diet? I had some fun exploring this idea with a friend’s pet. Heidi is a dachshund with a remarkable story about how her diet has changed within the past several years, due to her owners changing their diet.  Healthy habits are beneficial, even […]

A Canine’s Love for Health

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Have you ever thought about what your pet may think of your diet? I had some fun exploring this idea with a friend’s pet. Heidi is a dachshund with a remarkable story about how her diet has changed within the past several years, due to her owners changing their diet.  Healthy habits are beneficial, even […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Seventeen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Seventeen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

Tough Road Ahead for NC Poultry Workers

By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

The Raleigh News & Observer reported recently that work may be getting harder for North Carolina’s poultry workers. If the Obama administration gives the go-ahead, new policies already backed by North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan will allow the difficult speeds at which workers must process chickens to increase. Under the new regulations, the total output […]

Tough Road Ahead for NC Poultry Workers

by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

The Raleigh News & Observer reported recently that work may be getting harder for North Carolina’s poultry workers. If the Obama administration gives the go-ahead, new policies already backed by North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan will allow the difficult speeds at which workers must process chickens to increase. Under the new regulations, the total output […]

Pope Supports Breastfeeding in Public

By Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

Breastfeeding mothers everywhere have another reason to smile. On two separate occasions, one at the General Audience in December and another during a Baptism last week at the Cistene Chapel, Pope Frances encouraged mothers to go ahead and feed their babies, even though they were out in public  — and in the presence of the Pope! […]

Pope Supports Breastfeeding in Public

by Marnie Cooper Priest, Former Project Director for the Breastfeeding Collaborative

Breastfeeding mothers everywhere have another reason to smile. On two separate occasions, one at the General Audience in December and another during a Baptism last week at the Cistene Chapel, Pope Frances encouraged mothers to go ahead and feed their babies, even though they were out in public  — and in the presence of the Pope! […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Sixteen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Sixteen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Receives Outstanding Community Service Award

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

PHW received an Outstanding Community Service Award from Peletah Ministries in New Bern, under the leadership of Pastors Anthony and Dawn Baldwin Gibson, on Saturday, January 11.  Peletah Ministries, a small congregation of about 50 people, is making a real difference in their local community and surrounding areas. But instead of shining the spotlight on […]

PHW Receives Outstanding Community Service Award

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

PHW received an Outstanding Community Service Award from Peletah Ministries in New Bern, under the leadership of Pastors Anthony and Dawn Baldwin Gibson, on Saturday, January 11.  Peletah Ministries, a small congregation of about 50 people, is making a real difference in their local community and surrounding areas. But instead of shining the spotlight on […]

Walking Together

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness cannot do its work without your involvement. We are dedicated to equipping individuals and churches with the proper resources to be successful at implementing healthier habits. We are powerful because you are with us. If there is anything on this list that you are willing to do, would you let […]

Walking Together

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Partners in Health and Wholeness cannot do its work without your involvement. We are dedicated to equipping individuals and churches with the proper resources to be successful at implementing healthier habits. We are powerful because you are with us. If there is anything on this list that you are willing to do, would you let […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Fifteen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Fifteen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Success Story – Tabernacle of Deliverance, Rocky Mount

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

Tabernacle of Deliverance is a non-denominational church located in a low socioeconomic community that strives to promote health and wellness along with spiritual guidance to those residing in the community. Programs targeted at at-risk youth are encouraged and implemented, including education on gang violence, teen pregnancy, substance abuse (drugs, alcohol and tobacco), and health and […]

PHW Success Story – Tabernacle of Deliverance, Rocky Mount

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

Tabernacle of Deliverance is a non-denominational church located in a low socioeconomic community that strives to promote health and wellness along with spiritual guidance to those residing in the community. Programs targeted at at-risk youth are encouraged and implemented, including education on gang violence, teen pregnancy, substance abuse (drugs, alcohol and tobacco), and health and […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Fourteen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Fourteen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Thirteen

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Thirteen

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

Experts Discuss Junk Food Advertising Focused on Children

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The holiday season, unfortunately, has become one of the more appropriate times of the year to talk about advertising. From Black Friday through day after Christmas shopping, there are ads all around us. However, it is not just around the holidays that food companies are doing targeted marketing, often to children and communities who already suffer disproportionately […]

Experts Discuss Junk Food Advertising Focused on Children

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The holiday season, unfortunately, has become one of the more appropriate times of the year to talk about advertising. From Black Friday through day after Christmas shopping, there are ads all around us. However, it is not just around the holidays that food companies are doing targeted marketing, often to children and communities who already suffer disproportionately […]

Eat as an Act of Worship this Holiday Season

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

This is a special time of year. For Christians, it’s a time of Advent or expectant waiting for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This period of anticipation culminates on Christmas Day, when many Western churches celebrate Jesus’ birth. And these celebrations can take on many different forms. Some Christians choose to simply reflect on […]

Eat as an Act of Worship this Holiday Season

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

This is a special time of year. For Christians, it’s a time of Advent or expectant waiting for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This period of anticipation culminates on Christmas Day, when many Western churches celebrate Jesus’ birth. And these celebrations can take on many different forms. Some Christians choose to simply reflect on […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Eleven

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Eleven

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Launches New Breastfeeding Program, Welcomes New Staff

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

PHW was recently awarded a two-year implementation grant from the John Rex Endowment to promote breastfeeding in low-resource congregations in Wake County. Marnie Cooper Priest, a native of Maine and a Certified Professional Midwife, will oversee this work. Marnie earned a Masters in Global Health from Duke University, successfully managed a midwifery practice for over […]

PHW Launches New Breastfeeding Program, Welcomes New Staff

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

PHW was recently awarded a two-year implementation grant from the John Rex Endowment to promote breastfeeding in low-resource congregations in Wake County. Marnie Cooper Priest, a native of Maine and a Certified Professional Midwife, will oversee this work. Marnie earned a Masters in Global Health from Duke University, successfully managed a midwifery practice for over […]

Smarter Holiday Eating

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

For any of us trying to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight, the weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day are the hardest of the year. All that good food and drink; all the busy-ness and stress of the season; all the memories, both joy-filled and sad; even the shortness of days at […]

Smarter Holiday Eating

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

For any of us trying to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight, the weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day are the hardest of the year. All that good food and drink; all the busy-ness and stress of the season; all the memories, both joy-filled and sad; even the shortness of days at […]

Church Youth Groups Invited to Apply for Funding to Create Healthier Communities

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness is teaming up with the NC Alliance of YMCAs to identify organizations, like churches, with active youth groups who seek to improve the health of their local community. This opportunity, called the Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Teen Advocacy Mini-Grants program, supports the YMCA’s mission to strengthen communities through youth development, […]

Church Youth Groups Invited to Apply for Funding to Create Healthier Communities

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness is teaming up with the NC Alliance of YMCAs to identify organizations, like churches, with active youth groups who seek to improve the health of their local community. This opportunity, called the Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Teen Advocacy Mini-Grants program, supports the YMCA’s mission to strengthen communities through youth development, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Ten

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Ten

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal,Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Nine

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal,Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Nine

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Eight

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Eight

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

Our Second Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Many churches highlight feeding ministries and fighting hunger as one of their most important and holy missions, taking very seriously the call of Jesus to feed his sheep, as he commands Peter in John’s Gospel. We also know that Jesus said when we clothe, feed, visit and welcome the least of these we are doing it […]

Our Second Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Many churches highlight feeding ministries and fighting hunger as one of their most important and holy missions, taking very seriously the call of Jesus to feed his sheep, as he commands Peter in John’s Gospel. We also know that Jesus said when we clothe, feed, visit and welcome the least of these we are doing it […]

Peppers Picked in Prayer

By Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Climate Change Is Real… In Many Ways… In Different Places… At The Same Time… As We All Exist.   Today I picked these peppers due to early freezing temperatures in North Carolina. Although each pepper could’ve lived longer on the vine if the weather wasn’t so dangerous… I was mindful with each pluck that all food […]

Peppers Picked in Prayer

by Susannah Tuttle, Director of Strategic Engagement

Climate Change Is Real… In Many Ways… In Different Places… At The Same Time… As We All Exist.   Today I picked these peppers due to early freezing temperatures in North Carolina. Although each pepper could’ve lived longer on the vine if the weather wasn’t so dangerous… I was mindful with each pluck that all food […]

PHW Bookclub Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Chapter Seven

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

PHW Bookclub Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Chapter Seven

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

Crossroads for Food Aid

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Does hunger cause people to work harder, or to make better decisions as to how to spend what little money they may have? OK, let’s say the pangs of an empty stomach – or the thought of one’s children enduring those pangs – might engender focus on doing what one needs to do. “Les Miserables” comes […]

Crossroads for Food Aid

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Does hunger cause people to work harder, or to make better decisions as to how to spend what little money they may have? OK, let’s say the pangs of an empty stomach – or the thought of one’s children enduring those pangs – might engender focus on doing what one needs to do. “Les Miserables” comes […]

Day of the Dead and the Road Ahead for Farmworkers

By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

Andres Sandoval went to a doctor in Benson, North Carolina four years ago complaining of stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He was diagnosed with leukemia, and as a pesticide applicator, believed his disease was linked with prolonged pesticide exposure over the nine years he had returned to the United States to work. Ultimately, despite receiving […]

Day of the Dead and the Road Ahead for Farmworkers

by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern

Andres Sandoval went to a doctor in Benson, North Carolina four years ago complaining of stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He was diagnosed with leukemia, and as a pesticide applicator, believed his disease was linked with prolonged pesticide exposure over the nine years he had returned to the United States to work. Ultimately, despite receiving […]

PHW Bookclub Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Six

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Bookclub Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Six

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Success Story – St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Durham

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

Our congregation has used PHW’s gold status requirements as a framework for implementing activities throughout the year. Our priest, Jonah Kendall, led our health directive through his healthy and active lifestyle and by creating a PowerPoint presentation regarding health and Christianity and presenting it during our adult formation series. We formed a Health and Wellness […]

PHW Success Story – St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Durham

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

Our congregation has used PHW’s gold status requirements as a framework for implementing activities throughout the year. Our priest, Jonah Kendall, led our health directive through his healthy and active lifestyle and by creating a PowerPoint presentation regarding health and Christianity and presenting it during our adult formation series. We formed a Health and Wellness […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Five

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Five

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

With Halloween upon us and holiday baking not far behind, think in terms of fair-trade chocolate and other ingredients for sharing and for cooking. According to Vince Isner in the October 13 General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church: This Halloween Americans will spend an estimated $1.2 billion on everyone’s favorite treat, […]

Chocolate the Fair-Trade Way

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

With Halloween upon us and holiday baking not far behind, think in terms of fair-trade chocolate and other ingredients for sharing and for cooking. According to Vince Isner in the October 13 General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church: This Halloween Americans will spend an estimated $1.2 billion on everyone’s favorite treat, […]

PHW Success Story – Zion Wall Free Will Baptist, Linden

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

We are honored to be the recipient of the Bronze mini-grant award in the amount of $500. Under the leadership and guidance of Elder Jerry Jones, the membership of Zion Wall has consented to the Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Congregational Pledge. We formed the First Responders-Hospitality-PHW Committee in February of this year. The […]

PHW Success Story – Zion Wall Free Will Baptist, Linden

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

We are honored to be the recipient of the Bronze mini-grant award in the amount of $500. Under the leadership and guidance of Elder Jerry Jones, the membership of Zion Wall has consented to the Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) Congregational Pledge. We formed the First Responders-Hospitality-PHW Committee in February of this year. The […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable Miracle, Chapter Four

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable Miracle, Chapter Four

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life,” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Three

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter Three

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW […]

Shutdown’s Pain Spreads

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Once the budget snarl in Washington finally is untangled and the federal government is back up and running – hopefully in time to avoid a perilous default on the country’s debt – some of North Carolina’s poorest residents will be among those sighing with relief. But what happens in the meantime? Gov. Pat McCrory’s administration […]

Shutdown’s Pain Spreads

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Once the budget snarl in Washington finally is untangled and the federal government is back up and running – hopefully in time to avoid a perilous default on the country’s debt – some of North Carolina’s poorest residents will be among those sighing with relief. But what happens in the meantime? Gov. Pat McCrory’s administration […]

Braising Kale + Praising Produce = Soul Food

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

I have a conflicted relationship with cooking. For the big food holidays, moments of inspired recipe testing, and the occasional soup or marinara prep and freeze binge, I’m your gal. But the day-to-day planning-shopping-cooking-cleaning has never been my forte. Luckily, my husband enjoys it enough (or sufficiently prefers his cooking to mine) that he has […]

Braising Kale + Praising Produce = Soul Food

by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

I have a conflicted relationship with cooking. For the big food holidays, moments of inspired recipe testing, and the occasional soup or marinara prep and freeze binge, I’m your gal. But the day-to-day planning-shopping-cooking-cleaning has never been my forte. Luckily, my husband enjoys it enough (or sufficiently prefers his cooking to mine) that he has […]

PHW Receives Faith & Community Health Excellence Award

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

I had the pleasure of attending the Tri-Regional Faith and Community Health Summit in Atlanta, GA on October 3-5. The event was chock-full of dynamic speakers and informative sessions. Some of the topics included: the impact of institutionalized racism on health outcomes, the Affordable Care Act, mental health and counseling, youth engagement, and how to […]

PHW Receives Faith & Community Health Excellence Award

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

I had the pleasure of attending the Tri-Regional Faith and Community Health Summit in Atlanta, GA on October 3-5. The event was chock-full of dynamic speakers and informative sessions. Some of the topics included: the impact of institutionalized racism on health outcomes, the Affordable Care Act, mental health and counseling, youth engagement, and how to […]

Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The political stakes and motives are plain to see. President Obama and his Democratic allies on Capitol Hill are locked in a desperate struggle with the Republicans who control the U.S. House. Neither side wants to be painted as villains in the sorry saga of the partial federal government shutdown, or even worse, in any […]

Shutdown Scenario: The Hunger Brink

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The political stakes and motives are plain to see. President Obama and his Democratic allies on Capitol Hill are locked in a desperate struggle with the Republicans who control the U.S. House. Neither side wants to be painted as villains in the sorry saga of the partial federal government shutdown, or even worse, in any […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter One

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Chapter One

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook […]

Cheap Chicken, at What Cost?

By chris

As you'll see in the news clip and discussion above, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is about to implement major changes to how chickens are processed. These changes will harm workers and consumers alike. The USDA plans to implement a new rule to increase production speed and eliminate 75% of USDA inspectors in poultry processing factories. Companies will police themselves. During the comment period last year, the proposed rule was savaged by food safety experts, animal rights activists, and worker advocates. There was no credible rebuttal to their concerns. With faster production and less oversight, it’s no surprise that the pilot program found higher rates of salmonella.

Cheap Chicken, at What Cost?

by chris

As you’ll see in the news clip and discussion above, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is about to implement major changes to how chickens are processed. These changes will harm workers and consumers alike.

The USDA plans to implement a new rule to increase production speed and eliminate 75% of USDA inspectors in poultry processing factories. Companies will police themselves. During the comment period last year, the proposed rule was savaged by food safety experts, animal rights activists, and worker advocates. There was no credible rebuttal to their concerns. With faster production and less oversight, it’s no surprise that the pilot program found higher rates of salmonella.

The Pumpkin Paradox

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Fall is in the air. There has been a crispness in the air that, until recently, has been a distant memory. But where did I first catch a glimpse of fall?  Not in the crisp air, leaves turning, or the fall harvest, but in advertising. I was in California at the end of August when I first […]

The Pumpkin Paradox

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Fall is in the air. There has been a crispness in the air that, until recently, has been a distant memory. But where did I first catch a glimpse of fall?  Not in the crisp air, leaves turning, or the fall harvest, but in advertising. I was in California at the end of August when I first […]

Continuing the Conversation: Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The recent workshop on healthy food pantries that Partners in Health and Wholeness presented with the Partnership for Community Care was a huge success. The food was delicious, and the presentation was informative, but for me the most meaningful portion of the event was the conversation. The room was full of diverse participants, ranging from nonprofit workers, […]

Continuing the Conversation: Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

The recent workshop on healthy food pantries that Partners in Health and Wholeness presented with the Partnership for Community Care was a huge success. The food was delicious, and the presentation was informative, but for me the most meaningful portion of the event was the conversation. The room was full of diverse participants, ranging from nonprofit workers, […]

Farmworkers in NC

Farm Safety & Health Week: An Empty Proclamation?

By chris

Governor Pat McCrory recently issued a proclamation declaring September 15-21 to be "Farm Safety and Health Week." Here at the NC Council of Churches, we've been working with rural communities and farmworkers for decades, and we are well aware of the need for safety on our state's farms. Our friends at NC FIELD have issued a powerful press release calling attention to the need for not only words from the Governor's mansion but for real actions by all NC agencies and growers to make farmwork safer and to close the child labor loophole that puts kids in danger.

Farm Safety & Health Week: An Empty Proclamation?

by chris

Governor Pat McCrory recently issued a proclamation declaring September 15-21 to be “Farm Safety and Health Week.” Here at the NC Council of Churches, we’ve been working with rural communities and farmworkers for decades, and we are well aware of the need for safety on our state’s farms. Our friends at NC FIELD have issued a powerful press release calling attention to the need for not only words from the Governor’s mansion but for real actions by all NC agencies and growers to make farmwork safer and to close the child labor loophole that puts kids in danger.

For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Nothing

By chris

The Jefferson Post

Have you ever gone to bed hungry? Have you ever skipped a meal so that your children could eat? Have you ever waited in a long line to take home a bag of leftover groceries that was no longer fit for store shelves? Did you know that 1 in 6 North Carolina households reported serious problems affording adequate nutritious food at some point last year, according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture today. Of the North Carolinians experiencing this food insecurity, some 5.5 percent experienced very low food security – meaning that one or more household members had to reduce their food intake at least some time during the year.

For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Nothing

The Jefferson Post

Have you ever gone to bed hungry? Have you ever skipped a meal so that your children could eat? Have you ever waited in a long line to take home a bag of leftover groceries that was no longer fit for store shelves?

Did you know that 1 in 6 North Carolina households reported serious problems affording adequate nutritious food at some point last year, according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture today. Of the North Carolinians experiencing this food insecurity, some 5.5 percent experienced very low food security – meaning that one or more household members had to reduce their food intake at least some time during the year.

Act Now – New Food Safety Regulations Will Harm Small Farmers

By chris

Ever heard of the Food Safety & Modernization Act? It’s a 2011law that’s meant to help make our food safer and prevent contamination. While we all want safer food, the law contains many provisions that cater to huge agribusinesses while doing serious economic harm to small-scale family farmers. Check out these updates and then find […]

Act Now – New Food Safety Regulations Will Harm Small Farmers

by chris

Ever heard of the Food Safety & Modernization Act? It’s a 2011law that’s meant to help make our food safer and prevent contamination. While we all want safer food, the law contains many provisions that cater to huge agribusinesses while doing serious economic harm to small-scale family farmers. Check out these updates and then find […]

The Ag Act: Congress Considers Turning Back the Clock to the Bracero Program

By chris

Somewhat lost this summer amidst all the conversation about comprehensive immigration reform is a little-known bill called the "Agricultural Guestworker Act" (or "Ag Act," HB 1773) that has already passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. This harmful bill is a thinly veiled attempt to strip farmworkers of the few rights they have on the job while propping up agribusinesses' bottom line.

The Ag Act: Congress Considers Turning Back the Clock to the Bracero Program

by chris

Somewhat lost this summer amidst all the conversation about comprehensive immigration reform is a little-known bill called the “Agricultural Guestworker Act” (or “Ag Act,” HB 1773) that has already passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. This harmful bill is a thinly veiled attempt to strip farmworkers of the few rights they have on the job while propping up agribusinesses’ bottom line.

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Eight

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Eight

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Seven

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Seven

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

Healthy Communities, Healthy Churches Summit

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness is co-sponsoring a Healthy Communities, Healthy Churches Summit on Saturday, September 7 from 10am-3pm in New Bern (Christ Episcopal Ministry Center, 311 Middle Street). The Summit will provide information on local health initiatives, funding opportunities for faith-based organizations, as well as information on the upcoming Affordable Care Act. Other participating […]

Healthy Communities, Healthy Churches Summit

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness is co-sponsoring a Healthy Communities, Healthy Churches Summit on Saturday, September 7 from 10am-3pm in New Bern (Christ Episcopal Ministry Center, 311 Middle Street). The Summit will provide information on local health initiatives, funding opportunities for faith-based organizations, as well as information on the upcoming Affordable Care Act. Other participating […]

Fred Bahnson: On Food & Faith in the Washington Post

By chris

American spirituality is discovering itself anew as people of faith reconnect with the land. As I’ve traveled the country I’ve met fellow Christians who are falling in love with their faith all over again, and in every instance this love affair is tied to a place. Not a lofty cathedral directing the worshipper’s thoughts heavenward; these places draw the eyes—and the hands—down to earth, back to the soil from which Genesis tells us we were formed, and which we’re called to “tend and keep.” Our first and most basic human task, I’ve come to learn, is to care for the garden.

So begins Fred Bahnson's recent op-ed article in the Washington Post. If you don't know Fred already, you should. He's a gifted speaker and writer, a thinker and theologian, but most importantly, he's a gardener. After working for years with Anathoth Community Garden in Cedar Grove, NC, he now directs the new Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest University School of Divinity.

Fred Bahnson: On Food & Faith in the Washington Post

by chris

American spirituality is discovering itself anew as people of faith reconnect with the land. As I’ve traveled the country I’ve met fellow Christians who are falling in love with their faith all over again, and in every instance this love affair is tied to a place. Not a lofty cathedral directing the worshipper’s thoughts heavenward; these places draw the eyes—and the hands—down to earth, back to the soil from which Genesis tells us we were formed, and which we’re called to “tend and keep.” Our first and most basic human task, I’ve come to learn, is to care for the garden.

So begins Fred Bahnson’s recent op-ed article in the Washington Post. If you don’t know Fred already, you should. He’s a gifted speaker and writer, a thinker and theologian, but most importantly, he’s a gardener. After working for years with Anathoth Community Garden in Cedar Grove, NC, he now directs the new Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest University School of Divinity.

Feed My Sheep: Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Many churches highlight feeding ministries and fighting hunger as one of their most important and holy missions, taking very seriously the call of Jesus to feed his sheep, as he commands Peter in John’s Gospel. We also know that Jesus said when we clothe, feed, visit and welcome the least of these we are doing it […]

Feed My Sheep: Healthy Food Pantry Workshop

by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

Many churches highlight feeding ministries and fighting hunger as one of their most important and holy missions, taking very seriously the call of Jesus to feed his sheep, as he commands Peter in John’s Gospel. We also know that Jesus said when we clothe, feed, visit and welcome the least of these we are doing it […]

Fighting for Farmworkers: Baldemar Velásquez talks with Bill Moyers

By chris

Since the end of slavery in America, no workers have been more exploited than the men and women who bend to the earth in backbreaking labor, picking fruits, vegetables, and tobacco. Despite miracles of agricultural progress and innovation over the decades, the harsh lives and working conditions of migrant laborers have changed very little. Their cause has been championed in the past by Edward Murrow, Cesar Chavez, and the United Farmworkers. But that list is incomplete without Baldemar Velásquez . Velásquez was among hundreds of thousands of children who joined their migrant parents working long hours in the fields. Inspired by that early experience, Velásquez founded the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in 1967.

Fighting for Farmworkers: Baldemar Velásquez talks with Bill Moyers

by chris

Since the end of slavery in America, no workers have been more exploited than the men and women who bend to the earth in backbreaking labor, picking fruits, vegetables, and tobacco. Despite miracles of agricultural progress and innovation over the decades, the harsh lives and working conditions of migrant laborers have changed very little. Their cause has been championed in the past by Edward Murrow, Cesar Chavez, and the United Farmworkers. But that list is incomplete without Baldemar Velásquez . Velásquez was among hundreds of thousands of children who joined their migrant parents working long hours in the fields. Inspired by that early experience, Velásquez founded the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in 1967.

Lectionary: Hunger (Proper 16)

By chris

Date: Proper 16 - Aug. 25, 2013
Topic: Hunger
Focus Text: Isaiah 58:9b-14
God does not say here, “The poor you have with you always, so relax, take your time, pay your bills, balance your budget, play the lottery, fill up the SUV, take a vacation, and, if there are any crumbs left on the table, offer pennies to the hungry.” Rather, God clearly gives feeding the hungry top priority on the daily agenda of God’s people rather than fighting terrorism and protecting one’s job security, life insurance, college savings program, or retirement investment.

Lectionary: Hunger (Proper 16)

by chris

Date: Proper 16 – Aug. 25, 2013
Topic: Hunger
Focus Text: Isaiah 58:9b-14
God does not say here, “The poor you have with you always, so relax, take your time, pay your bills, balance your budget, play the lottery, fill up the SUV, take a vacation, and, if there are any crumbs left on the table, offer pennies to the hungry.” Rather, God clearly gives feeding the hungry top priority on the daily agenda of God’s people rather than fighting terrorism and protecting one’s job security, life insurance, college savings program, or retirement investment.

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Four

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

PHW Book Club Discussion: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Chapter Four

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Our current choice of reading is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. We are posting updates through the PHW Facebook page, […]

How NC Tax-reform Plans Could Fray Safety Nets

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

The News & Observer

These are difficult times. We pray that our lawmakers and governor will demonstrate compassion for our fellow North Carolinians who need food, clothing, health care and shelter and for the many charitable nonprofit organizations that provide this support.

How NC Tax-reform Plans Could Fray Safety Nets

The News & Observer

These are difficult times. We pray that our lawmakers and governor will demonstrate compassion for our fellow North Carolinians who need food, clothing, health care and shelter and for the many charitable nonprofit organizations that provide this support.

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though brief, report on Moral Mondays, taking the word of North Carolina’s protest movement to a national audience. Council Communications Director Aleta Payne and I met […]

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though brief, report on Moral Mondays, taking the word of North Carolina’s protest movement to a national audience. Council Communications Director Aleta Payne and I met […]

Laurinburg Presbyterian Lets People Grow Food on its Property

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

The Fayetteville Observer

Sam Thompson was looking for a sunny spot to plant tomatoes. He ended up leading an award-winning community revolution. Thompson, an elder at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, pitched the idea of a community garden to the church six years ago. What began as a creative use for otherwise empty church property was recently awarded an equipment grant by the North Carolina Council of Churches and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. "We're using the grant funds to dig a well," Thompson said. "Wouldn't you know this would be the wettest June in years."

Laurinburg Presbyterian Lets People Grow Food on its Property

The Fayetteville Observer

Sam Thompson was looking for a sunny spot to plant tomatoes. He ended up leading an award-winning community revolution. Thompson, an elder at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, pitched the idea of a community garden to the church six years ago. What began as a creative use for otherwise empty church property was recently awarded an equipment grant by the North Carolina Council of Churches and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “We’re using the grant funds to dig a well,” Thompson said. “Wouldn’t you know this would be the wettest June in years.”

Grant to Strengthen Community Garden Program

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

Winston-Salem Chronicle

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation has partnered with the North Carolina Council of Churches to provide grants to faith-based organizations to help them supply healthy eating alternatives to their members and underserved communities. United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (UMMBC) is one of 20 faith-based organizations that have received a $5,000 Healthy Eating Equipment Grant. The church will use the grant to purchase much needed equipment and supplies to support the 10 gardens that now comprise the S.G. Atkins Community Gardens at Winston-Salem State University.

Grant to Strengthen Community Garden Program

Winston-Salem Chronicle

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation has partnered with the North Carolina Council of Churches to provide grants to faith-based organizations to help them supply healthy eating alternatives to their members and underserved communities.

United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (UMMBC) is one of 20 faith-based organizations that have received a $5,000 Healthy Eating Equipment Grant. The church will use the grant to purchase much needed equipment and supplies to support the 10 gardens that now comprise the S.G. Atkins Community Gardens at Winston-Salem State University.

Piney Grove Baptist Ministries Helped with Healthy Eating Equipment Grant

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

Mt. Airy News

Piney Grove Baptist Church’s food ministries recently got a boost from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC) in the form of a $5,000 healthy eating equipment grant. The effort is a partnership between BCBSNC and the North Carolina Council of Churches to provide equipment for 20 faith-based organizations to bring healthier food to their members and communities. More than $90,000 in equipment grants are being used to provide canning and cooking supplies, expand church community gardens and increase storage for fresh produce.

Piney Grove Baptist Ministries Helped with Healthy Eating Equipment Grant

Mt. Airy News

Piney Grove Baptist Church’s food ministries recently got a boost from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC) in the form of a $5,000 healthy eating equipment grant. The effort is a partnership between BCBSNC and the North Carolina Council of Churches to provide equipment for 20 faith-based organizations to bring healthier food to their members and communities. More than $90,000 in equipment grants are being used to provide canning and cooking supplies, expand church community gardens and increase storage for fresh produce.

PHW and Community Transformation Grant Unity

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Community Transformation Grant Project is a state-funded initiative designed to promote tobacco-free living, active living, and healthy eating among residents of Anson, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond and Scotland counties. The following appeared in the CTG Region 6 newsletter: Partners in Health and Wholeness, an initiative of the North Carolina Council […]

PHW and Community Transformation Grant Unity

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Community Transformation Grant Project is a state-funded initiative designed to promote tobacco-free living, active living, and healthy eating among residents of Anson, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond and Scotland counties. The following appeared in the CTG Region 6 newsletter: Partners in Health and Wholeness, an initiative of the North Carolina Council […]

PHW Success Story – St. Timothy’s Episcopal, Winston-Salem

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

We have been busy growing in health and wholeness at St.Timothy’s! Our biggest venture towards a healthy congregation has been to start a parish garden. The garden has been a dream of the parish for some time, but this year we finally took the risk of getting it started. We are fortunate to have a […]

PHW Success Story – St. Timothy’s Episcopal, Winston-Salem

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

We have been busy growing in health and wholeness at St.Timothy’s! Our biggest venture towards a healthy congregation has been to start a parish garden. The garden has been a dream of the parish for some time, but this year we finally took the risk of getting it started. We are fortunate to have a […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a lot of time with children—as a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and as a friend and neighbor. Currently, I’m a Sunday School teacher of young […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a lot of time with children—as a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and as a friend and neighbor. Currently, I’m a Sunday School teacher of young […]

College Students Go Into the Fields

By chris

This summer one of our allies, Student Action with Farmworkers, will again host college students from around the country to participate in their successful internship program called “Into the Fields.” You can hear directly from the students about their experiences at their new blog. Last year, we were privileged to host a SAF intern. Daryn […]

College Students Go Into the Fields

by chris

This summer one of our allies, Student Action with Farmworkers, will again host college students from around the country to participate in their successful internship program called “Into the Fields.” You can hear directly from the students about their experiences at their new blog. Last year, we were privileged to host a SAF intern. Daryn […]

PHW Success Story – Shalom Community Christian Church, Greensboro

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

Our church has made a concerted effort to emphasize healthy living to our congregation in several ways. We have partnered with another church in our area to sponsor and host a Health and Wellness fair. We have made a conscious effort to utilize healthier snacks for our youth activities. The health and wellness information we […]

PHW Success Story – Shalom Community Christian Church, Greensboro

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

Our church has made a concerted effort to emphasize healthy living to our congregation in several ways. We have partnered with another church in our area to sponsor and host a Health and Wellness fair. We have made a conscious effort to utilize healthier snacks for our youth activities. The health and wellness information we […]

Still Accomplishing Great Things

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation announced the grantees for their Healthy Eating Equipment 2013 Cycle. Usually in any contest, you will hear about the proposals and work that the funded grantees are doing in their communities. However, within the same contest, you might not hear about the other applicants and […]

Still Accomplishing Great Things

by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation announced the grantees for their Healthy Eating Equipment 2013 Cycle. Usually in any contest, you will hear about the proposals and work that the funded grantees are doing in their communities. However, within the same contest, you might not hear about the other applicants and […]

PHW Success Story – Greater St. Matthews, Wadesboro

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

Greater St. Matthews has an aerobics class three times a week and offers quarterly nutrition classes. We have also held a fruit and vegetable luncheon to assist with making healthy choices and finding easier ways to include fruits and vegetables with every meal. The healthy recipes were written out and shared with others. This could […]

PHW Success Story – Greater St. Matthews, Wadesboro

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

Greater St. Matthews has an aerobics class three times a week and offers quarterly nutrition classes. We have also held a fruit and vegetable luncheon to assist with making healthy choices and finding easier ways to include fruits and vegetables with every meal. The healthy recipes were written out and shared with others. This could […]

Tax Reform: Not So Simple

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

A funny thing happened to House Bill 998, the Tax Simplification and Reduction Act, on its way through the state Senate. It got simplified. House Republicans had approved the bill in an effort to make good on their party’s pledges to cut taxes and shrink government. With Republicans holding strong majorities in both the House […]

Tax Reform: Not So Simple

by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

A funny thing happened to House Bill 998, the Tax Simplification and Reduction Act, on its way through the state Senate. It got simplified. House Republicans had approved the bill in an effort to make good on their party’s pledges to cut taxes and shrink government. With Republicans holding strong majorities in both the House […]