The following sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at New Creation United Methodist Church in Durham. Proverbs 1:20-33; Wisdom of Solomon 7:26-8:1 […] The post Wisdom is a Woman appeared first on NC Council of Churches ..read more

Amid the turbulence of a high-stakes election season stands a sadly familiar outpost of stability – the N.C. General Assembly’s relentless support of private schools at the expense of the […] The post Tuition giveaway’s real costs appeared first on NC Council of Churches ..read more

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 […] The post When They Go Low… appeared first on NC Council of Churches ..read more

By: Jennifer Roberts, Co-Chair of N.C. Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections With the November 2024 elections drawing closer, many people have been discussing the specter of political violence. […] The post A glimpse into the abyss appeared first on NC Council of Churches ..read more

By: Reggie Wilson Jr. MS, MSW, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The Armstrong Center for Hope “. . . for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but […] The post A Sound Mind appeared first on NC Council of Churches ..read more

By: The Rev. Beth Crissman, Uwharrie District Superintendent and Director of Peace Building Ministries of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church “sac-ra-men-tal: (adj) exhibiting visible signs of God’s invisible grace, sanctifying daily life” As a clergyperson, there is something sacramental about putting on my stole before preaching, presiding at the Lord’s Table, baptizing a child, marrying a couple, or celebrating the life of a loved one lost. Each time I place the stole around my neck, I am reminded of the calling extended through my ordination to re-present C ..read more

There’s the civics-class version of how laws are enacted in North Carolina – rooted in the state constitution and rules of the General Assembly, and embodying ideals of orderly, even-handed decision-making. Then there’s the version encompassing the kind of shenanigans all too typical of the legislative process in real life. Especially so, during the late spring of an election year, when parties and candidates are tempted to stretch the rules past what should be the breaking point as they jostle to hold or gain power in the balloting to come. The blame for such abuses falls on those who have th ..read more

RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Council of Churches proudly announces the release of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide. This vital resource is designed to help people of faith integrate their spiritual beliefs with their civic responsibilities as they prepare for the upcoming election season. The Faithful Voter Reflection Guide encourages readers to reflect on how their beliefs shape their voting decisions. Grounded in scripture, the guide addresses critical issues such as climate justice, healthcare, public education, criminal justice reform, economic equity, reproductive rights, and gun v ..read more

First, the good news. As North Carolina’s lawmakers crank up their every-other-year “short” session (well, sometimes it’s not so short), they’ll have the luxury of working with a healthy boost in anticipated revenue. Healthy to the tune of a projected $1.4 billion – money to be factored into the state budget, now pegged at $30 billion, that will control taxing and spending decisions for the fiscal year beginning July 1.  But like a working person who gets a raise just when the car needs a costly repair, the General Assembly shouldn’t be breaking into its happy dance. The state’s repair li ..read more

Excerpted from 2024 Lenten Guide: Terror and Amazement, a Lenten Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. Isaiah 25:6-9 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples     a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,     of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain     the shroud that is cast over all peoples,     the covering that is spread over all nations;     he w ..read more