Lenten Guide — First Sunday
Lenten Guide — First Sunday
Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Love One Another: Reflections on Race, Power, and Privilege” Deuteronomy 26:1-11 When you have come into the land that the Lord […]
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Ashley Yohman, Program Associate for Finance and Development
by Ashley Yohman, Program Associate for Finance and Development
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator
by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator
By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By chris
by chris
Date: Easter 3 – May 4, 2014
Topic: Immigration
Focus Text: Luke 24:13-35
The story of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, unique to Luke’s Gospel, is central to the evangelist’s message about the resurrection of Jesus and its meaning. It is one of the more unusual stories we hear about encountering Jesus, but it is Luke’s way of conveying that the surprising and the unexpected are to be found in the wake of Jesus’ resurrection. One of the most surprising things, at least for those disciples within the story, is that the stranger they meet on the road turns out to be the risen Christ. At every turn this story is about revealing and discovering Jesus—through scripture, through the breaking of bread, and even through encountering a stranger on the road.
By chris
by chris
Here at the North Carolina Council of Churches, I’ve had the distinct privilege of working alongside immigrant families, faith leaders, lay activists, and immigrant rights organizations across the state in pursuit of humane fixes to our broken immigration system. While my time at the Council is drawing to a close, I know that immigration reform for our country is not a matter of if, it’s when. How long will we let political games take precedence over real human suffering? I believe that in 20 or 30 years issues that seem controversial today – like whether immigrants deserve human rights, due process, and the chance to become a part of society – will be obvious.
By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
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.
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By chris
by chris
Here’s an immigrant congregation in Durham that is giving back to the community and making a real difference. It’s a beautiful story about what it means to be the church together. Do you know any immigrant churches in your neighborhood? How are they fostering community?
This video was produced by Uniting NC, a great organization working to make North Carolina a place in which all people, including immigrants, have the opportunity to thrive and to engage in their communities.
By chris
by chris
Dear Friends,
I will be leaving the NC Council of Churches at the end of March to focus full-time on Tomatillo Design, my new communications shop that works with nonprofits to create amazing, affordable websites.
Since I began working at the Council as an intern in the summer of 2006, I’ve had the incredible privilege of working with the most dedicated, talented and likable group of coworkers imaginable. From its founding more than 75 years ago to today, the Council has worked on a wide range of progressive causes and I’m proud to be a small part of that legacy. Every day at the office I felt encouraged by the witness of recent saints like Sister Evelyn Mattern and Collins Kilburn.
By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
by chris
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
In these waning days of 2013, when the outlook for winning comprehensive immigration reform looks rather bleak in the short term, many of you have been asking me: what can we do?
While the pace of progress on immigration reform has been appallingly slow, we need to keep speaking up and taking action to show elected officials that this movement isn’t going away. I will be participating in the North Carolina Fast for Immigrant Families on December 17.
Here is a detailed invitation by our friends at FaithAction International House.
By chris
by chris
Date: Christmas 1 – Dec. 29, 2013
Topic: Hope for Refugees
Focus Text: Matthew 2:13-23
This story reminds us both of the circumstances of refugees and displaced peoples and of Israel’s story of suffering and hope, bondage and deliverance. As followers of Jesus we are also listeners to the story of Israel, because his story is their story. To listen to Israel—to hear her story—is to listen to the suffering of slavery, exile, and diaspora. Yet, it is also to listen to a story of God’s faithfulness in spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s deliverance in the face of their persecution.
By Amanda Rauh-Bieri, Duke Divinity School Intern
by Amanda Rauh-Bieri, Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
NC Policy Watch
This week, House Speaker John Boehner stated flatly that there will not be any conference with the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill. We’re hearing one excuse after another about how immigration reform is too complicated and there isn’t enough time for a vote. After months of dithering, it’s clear that House leaders are hoping to run out the clock on immigration. If it holds true that the House doesn’t vote on any other immigration bills, then an amendment to deport DREAM-eligible immigrants — which passed with overwhelming GOP support in June — will be the only immigration measure to have received a vote on the floor of the House in 2013.
By John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
by John Zambenini, Former Duke Divinity School Intern
By chris
by chris
More than 10,000 people of faith committed to the FAST Action, 40 days Prayer and Fasting for Immigration Reform. As we closed the 40 days on October 18th, we recognize the need for action and escalation is only growing as we approach a shrinking timeline for legislation.We must continue to lift up the moral imperative of immigrants’ rights and immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.
Now many people of faith from all traditions are joining labor, immigrant and community leaders in setting the moral compass and raising our voices. Many faith organizations are joining the Fast for Family Unity beginning November 12th.
By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
I was both excited and nervous as I unpacked my boxes in the parsonage to begin my first year as a pastor. It had been a busy day with people coming in and out of the house, but after a while I was sitting alone and I looked around my new home trying to decide how I was going to arrange my furniture. As I moved and pushed my furniture about, I felt prompted to look out through the front door to observe the community in which I would be living. I peered out of the window and there was a house diagonally across the street that caught my attention.
By chris
by chris
***POSTPONED*** This year, the NC Council of Churches is continuing its successful statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders, and […]
By chris
by chris
This year, the NC Council of Churches is continuing its successful statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders, and they […]
By chris
by chris
This year, the NC Council of Churches is continuing its successful statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders, and they […]
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
In celebration of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 24, Pope Francis said:
Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more.
Here in our own political context, we might re-word the Pope’s powerful message to say: Immigrants are not pawns for Congress.
It’s been 90 days since the US Senate overwhelmingly passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, but the House has done nothing with it. In those 90 days, more than 100,000 immigrants have been needlessly deported.
By chris
Durham Herald-Sun
On Sunday August 25, about a hundred Durham residents and faith leaders from seven different traditions gathered at the People’s Plaza to pray for our elected officials. As people with different stories, different colors of skin, even different faiths, we were united in our hope that Rep. Butterfield, Rep. Coble, Rep. Price and their colleagues in the House will support a just and moral immigration reform that offers a pathway to citizenship, unifies families, supports workers, and moves us forward together.
By chris
by chris
If you’ve been following immigration reform, you know that this month is crucial to the effort for overhauling our nation’s broken immigration system. While the US Senate passed a reform bill earlier this summer, the fate of millions of immigrant families lies in the House of Representatives. This month there are a number of key events happening across NC. When you participate in a prayer vigil or march, you’re letting our leaders and the media know that North Carolinians are serious about reform. We hope to see you there.
By chris
by chris
By chris
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.
By George Reed, Former Executive Director
by George Reed, Former Executive Director
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
In these fever-pitch days of summer, with the once-in-a-generation chance at real immigration reform in Congress, we’re hearing a lot about how reform is good politics (for both parties) and good for the economy. These are of course important factors, especially in the political context of a major legislative fight on Capitol Hill, but for Christians, should these be the most determinative considerations?
By chris
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.
By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate
By chris
by chris
Only in today’s Washington would legislation that grows the economy, reduces the debt, curtails illegal immigration, helps the GOP politically and enjoys public approval in the 80% range be seen as a problem for the House Republican caucus. With every flimsy excuse crumbling, it comes down to John Boehner. Actually his choice is pretty simple: a bipartisan majority for reform with a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in America exists right now; he should find a way to have that majority express its will.
By chris
by chris
Workshops and additional details coming soon.
The 2013 Summit promises to accomplish four main goals:
1. Offer a unique statewide, bilingual ecumenical gathering for faith leaders who work primarily with immigrant congregations;
2. Help equip these faith leaders to deal with the daily challenges faced by their congregations, especially related to their immigration status;
3. Provide a space for networking and sharing of best practices;
4. Train immigrant rights allies, especially in faith communities, to organize and mobilize around immigration issues.
By chris
by chris
By chris
by chris
I finally had the chance to go my first Moral Monday earlier this week. Walking around Halifax Mall with our Executive Director, George Reed, I was struck by how many people we both knew. I’m deeply proud of the involvement by clergy and faith communities in particular. So many of our members are represented not only in the crowd but also in the faces of those participating in civil disobedience and getting arrested. As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we give thanks not only for the many freedoms our country offers, but in particular for the countless faithful voices speaking up and speaking out for those who are being pushed to the margins by this General Assembly.
NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org