Dr. H. Stephen Shoemaker, Myers Park Baptist Church Two weeks ago I spoke of Jesus the Friend. Today, I want to explore Jesus the Stranger, Jesus as “other,” different, even […]
Strangers No More
[…] David T. Hill, First Church (Oberlin, Ohio)We’ve heard the stories of those who take gre at personal risk to cross the desert at night in order to seek out a […]
Refugees Welcomed, Not Banned
L ast in a series of three blogs. Above all, these strangers bring to us the Christ. When we welcome a stranger we welcome Jesus, and when we welcome Jesus […]
Turning Strangers into Neighbors: Helping Congregations with Immigration
Thursd ay, Jan. 31 | 9:00am | Free registration required This free 45-minute webinar will take a look at innovative ways to communicate about immigration issues with your congregation or […]
We Were Strangers Too
Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz, Judea Reform Congregation (Durham)This p ast week, we read the first section of the book of Exodus, the story of our formation as a people. At […]
“Strangers” Are God’s Gift to the Church
In Church, when we talk about immigration, the first question isn’t whether immigrants contribute more than they take or how to secure the border. The first question is: “Who is […]
Welcoming Strangers and Neighbors
[…] structures in place for people to enter the country legally and to remain here safely once they arrive. But what we really need are immigration reforms that allow people to […]
Our Increasing Latino Population
According the Jesus, welcoming the stranger will determine how we are judged on the last day (Matthew 25). He abolished distinctions between Jews and outsiders (Ephesians 2:13-17) and illumined the […]
Obama Unveils Immigration Plan: “We Were Strangers Once, Too”
[…] oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger – we were strangers once, too.” While we will most certainly see political commotion in the days, weeks and […]
Sanctuary, Not Deportation
[…] in a series of three blogs. God calls people of faith to remember that they once were strangers in a strange land and they must, must welcome the stranger as […]
For You Were Once a Stranger
The debate about immigration policy continues to divide people of good will across our nation and our state. Immigration divides us, in part, because of both the breadth and the […]
Worship Resources on Immigration
[…] - 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 […]
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 […]
For You Were Once a Stranger: Immigration in the U.S. through the Lens of Faith
The debate about immigration policy continues to divide people of good will across our nation and our state. Immigration divides us, in part, because of both the breadth and the […]
Welcome the Stranger: Supporting Refugees through Sponsorship
Join us for a webinar alongside Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the oldest refugee agency in the U.S., to learn how faith communities and people of faith can become sponsor […]
Advent Reflections on Immigration
[…] world," they walked as strangers among us. This is the scandal of Bethlehem: If God invaded our world once unawares, God could do it again. Today. Anywhere. Among any people. Anytime.
Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
It is important that the religious community respond to the immigration crisis by offering advocacy and welcome in the face of rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Religious communities must also look to […]
NC Council of Churches Places Welcome Billboard Along I-40
[…] a billboard near Exit 132 that quotes Leviticus 19:34, “Welcome the stranger for you were once a stranger.” “Some travelers on this section of the highway may have already noticed a billboard […]
Walls Demonstrate Hostility, not Hospitality
Second in a series of three blogs. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) The idea […]
Connecting Faith Communities and Farmworkers
Perh aps the greatest challenge is helping a congregation begin to see farmworkers as created in God’s image and thus full members of our community. In theological terms, we might […]
Prayer for the Primary
Voting m ay be the most important place for us to live into God’s call for a flourishing world. Feeding the hungry is crucial, but how much more so is […]
Immigration Fact Sheets
The NC Council of Churches has published 2 free fact sheets that are available for distribution in your congregation or community group. "Faith & Immigration" highlights the religious calling to […]
2015 Advent Devotional Guide Focuses on Refugees
How desperate would your life need to be for you to leave everyone and everything you knew in pursuit of a better one? To venture into a new place where […]
Supporting NC’s Public Colleges and Universities
A couple of weeks ago, I turned and walked away from our youngest son, got into my car and headed for home without him. I was leaving him to […]
Be Thankful for Immigrants and Indigenous People
Almost 400 years ago, in what is now Massachusetts, a group of newly arrived immigrants from Europe received lifesaving hospitality from a group of indigenous Americans. Tomorrow, we celebrate […]
Proper 20, Year C
[…] to the most painful kinds of suffering: they experienced it, they gave voice to it and often denounced oppressive systems which caused it, and they witnessed to a God who […]
Celebrating With My Community
[…] focus and evident dedication to what we had all come to celebrate, the Earth. But once the procession was at my back, I had no choice but to close my […]
Project NO REST Needs Your Input to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
At the North Carolina Council of Churches, our work is often guided by Isaiah 1:17, which advises,“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, […]
Whispers and Shouts
Sometimes God whispers. Whether through hymns or homilies or kids dancing their way down the aisle to children’s chapel. Sometimes God shouts. Through the amplified suffering of others, known or […]
Worship Resources on Racism & Reconciliation
Date: Baptism of the Lord - Jan. 12, 2014
Topic: Racism & amp; Reconciliation
Focus Text: Acts 10:34-43
This joining and reconciliation of people, Jews and gentiles, but also […]
Topic: Racism & amp; Reconciliation
Focus Text: Acts 10:34-43
This joining and reconciliation of people, Jews and gentiles, but also […]
Preparing the Way: Who Is Our Neighbor?
From Ch apter 3 of Preparing the Way: A Social Justice Study for Lent. We’re offering this free resource to you and your congregation as we walk through the season of […]
The NC Council of Churches Opposes HB 100
[…] the immigrant fairly, and make a place for the refugee among us; BECAUSE we were once strangers to God, immigrants to a new land, and refugees from a dangerous past. […]
Sanctuary Leaders Threatened by Impossible Fines
The same week as our nation’s Independence Day holiday, several undocumented immigrants were fined for remaining in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Immigration & […]
Christian Scriptures and Farmworkers
From the laws and histories of ancient Israel to the life of Jesus and the letters of Paul, themes related to the treatment of farmworkers emerge consistently throughout the Judeo-Christian […]
Sign Our Statement
Ecumenical Immigration Alliance As people of faith and conscience from across North Carolina, we believe that our calling is to welcome immigrants, offering them hospitality and justice. While we recognize […]
Immigrant Rights
[…] Religious Society of Friends United Church of Christ United Methodist Church Factsheets For You Were Once a Stranger: Immigration in the U.S. through the Lens of Faith study guide Becoming the Church […]
A Christian Perspective on Immigration
[…] Petty, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (Raleigh)While I’m quite sure that this Jeremiah passage doesn’t have anything of relevance to say about my decision to come to Pullen, it does, however, […]
Faith Leaders Ask Legislature for Fair Immigration Laws
For the first time since its cre ation, a special committee reviewing North Carolina’s immigration policy heard from the public on Wednesday, March 28th. To a hearing room packed with […]
Christian Unity Committee Offers Workshop: Getting to Know our Muslim Neighbor
On December 2, the Council’s Christi an Unity Committee will offer a workshop intended to help Christians get to know our Muslim neighbors with tools for interfaith community building and […]
Advent Guide: Epiphany
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the […]
Faith opens their eyes
Qué Pasa Media Network The Methodists appear to be one step ahead of other religious congregations in North Carolina when it comes to the work of promoting immigration reform. One […]
PHW Book Club Discussion: Eating Well Week 6 (Peace)
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 […]
The Ecumenical Journey
Rev. Michael Kinnamon (School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University) Where does this leave us today? How can the ecumenical impulse be revitalized in such an era as ours? The […]
Immigration and the Body of Christ
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 […]
Scrutiny for Gun Laws, Post-Charleston
[…] evening when the bill gained final House passage, the folly of lax firearms regulation was once again illuminated by the monstrous events in Charleston, S.C., where the devil’s brew of […]
SB 145 Debate Not in Accordance with Matthew 25
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly discussed SB 145, an anti-immigrant bill that would expand the 287g program, thereby allowing local law enforcement to […]
Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations
Statement Affirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations Approved March 6, 2018 by the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches The North Carolina Council of Churches: Reaffirms […]
Immigrant Families Fear Proposed Public Charge Rule
E arlier this year, a draft of the “public charge” rule was leaked. The final version from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was published in the Federal Register (October […]
Be Different.
[…] the surface of the river. Tell us a story about Eisha. I think I will. Once upon a time, Aram, not to be confused with Iran, was at war with […]
Becoming the Church Together
Immigration, the Bible, and Our New Neighbors Free Downloads: Download the Bible Study Download the Curriculum Character Cards Download the Immigration Board Game Order hard copies | From the Introduction […]
High Country UCC
High Country United Church of Christ (UCC), loc ated in the beautiful western region of North Carolina, has been a member of the PHW Collaborative for about two years now. […]
Be Different.
[…] the surface of the river. Tell us a story about Eisha. I think I will. Once upon a time, Aram, not to be confused with Iran, was at war with […]
A Step in the Right Direction: NC Drops Offensive Pink Driver’s License Stripe
Facing mounting criticism both statewide and nationally, the NC Department of Transportation has backed off from the now-infamous "pink stripe" design for driver's licenses that will be issued to young […]
Advent Guide on Refugees — Christmas
Excerpted from In Those Days and In These, an Advent Devotional Guide from the NC Council of Churches In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all […]
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 […]
The Economics of Jesus
Rev. Douglas Long, Umstead Park UCC (Raleigh) Today's topic may be the most controversial of all. Why is it that we get very nervous in the Church when we talk […]
Underage Drinking
Because early use of alcohol is such a causal factor in teen death and injury, there is reason for the faith community’s involvement in this issue. All faiths recognize the […]
Major issue, major reform
Raleigh News & Observer Many politicians are saying that they want to address the root causes of our immigration situation, but they go on to talk only about increased enforcement. […]
Inviting the Uninvited
Rev. Peter JB Carman, Binkley Baptist Church (Chapel Hill)When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia about baptism, it seems he had a whole lot more than water […]
75 years later, unity keeps council going
Raleigh News & Observer By the time H. Shelton Smith was hired to teach at Duke University in 1931, the movement to unite Christians of different denominations was under way […]
Hunger for the DREAM
R aleigh News & Observer The young women who went on a hunger strike in downtown Raleigh should be commended for their courage. They only want the chance to go […]
Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary
I w as struck, as I listened to remembrances from the past, that we really are seeing progress on issues of social justice. But it happens over a period of […]
N.C. faith leaders push for passage of DREAM Act
The American Independent North Carolina faith leaders today called on Congress to pass the DREAM Act to provide opportunities for education and citizenship to undocumented immigrants who were brought to […]
Mr. Paul and the Work of the Church
[…] held the first debate between Republican Presidential candidates. The stalwart libertarian from Texas, Ron Paul attended and according to the LA Times, won the debate. He may have alienated a […]
George Reed’s Remarks from Mowbray Presentation
On June 24, NC Council of Churches Executive Director George Reed received the Luke Mowbray Award presented by the American Baptist Churches USA. His remarks from the presentation are below. […]
The Spread of Toxic Immigration Laws
NC Policy WatchI can certainly underst and that the nation is clearly frustrated with Congress’ dysfunction, partisan gridlock, and seeming inability to deal rationally with the many major policy issues […]
Say No to Anti-Immigrant Legislation in North Carolina
Tell NC legislators that we don’t want to follow Arizona and Alabama – say NO to harmful anti-immigrant legislation that could be introduced here in North Carolina. A special committee […]
New Pilot Program: Neighbors Together
[…] debate, in part, is about who “they” are and who “we” are. For You Were Once a Stranger: Immigration in the U.S. through the Lens of Faith NC Council of Churches Neighbors […]
Resources on Faith and Farmworkers
There is a wide variety of resources available to aid you and your congregation in exploring how your faith relates to your relationship with farmworkers.
NC House Select Committee on Immigration Wraps Up with a Whimper
With this report, the Committee is in effect conceding that it cannot push for Arizona or Alabama-style legislation. While there is no doubt that some members of the General Assembly […]
North Carolina Says: Reform Immigration Now
With the introduction of the l andmark immigration legislation by the Senate, the immigration debate continues to heat up. And North Carolina is paying attention. From faith leaders to business […]
Talking on Water
We can’t go about our business as a society without messing up the environment to some degree. The challenge is to keep that damage to a minimum, ideally through steps […]
Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays
Faith leaders from across the state and from different traditions continue to speak out in support of Moral Mondays, the weekly NC NAACP-led demonstrations in Raleigh. Within days of each […]
Eat as an Act of Worship this Holiday Season
[…] had access to these rich, decadent foods during the holidays (as I’ve been told was once the case), but we’re now able to walk into any grocery store or restaurant […]
Voices of Moral Mondays: Shining a Bright Light by Lorraine Ljunggren
The NC Council of Churches is proud to publish a brand new e-book collection of testimonies from Moral Mondays. With 32 short vignettes from North Carolinians across the state, Voices of […]
Saving Our Souls
News about children at the border – what’s happening to them, what politicians believe or say about them, where they are going, what will happen to them — continues and […]
Educating the Littlest and the Least
[…] counties in North Carolina have begun passing resolutions discouraging undocumented children, including unaccompanied minors, from attending schools in these counties. These children, who often have no family in the United […]
Statement on the Shootings in Charleston
[…] to name the righteous anger all of us feel in the wake of this crime. Once again easy access to guns is a vehicle for senseless death, compounded on this […]
Gov. McCrory Should Veto H.B. 318
In the fin al hours of the 2015 legislative session, the NC House of Representatives passed House Bill 318, a measure that would prohibit communities from being so-called “sanctuaries” for people […]
‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run on far longer than it should have. Let’s be glad that the curtain has […]
Family Values for All God’s Family
[…] I could also throw into that mix another former Arkansas governor and Baptist, Bill Clinton.) Once again, family values, moral values, and God are being defined in narrow ways that […]
Advent Guide on Refugees — Third Sunday
Excerpted from In Those Days and In These, an Advent Devotional Guide from the NC Council of Churches John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by […]
Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again
There w asn’t a lot to like about what occurred the other day in a state Senate committee. First, legislative rules – notoriously rubberized – were stretched to the point […]
Crying Aloud in the Wake of the DAPA/DACA Supreme Court Decision
This p ast week has been filled with what feels like a continuous barrage of tragic news: the shootings in Orlando and subsequent lack of gun control measures by Congress, […]
Faith & Immigration Summit Workshops Highlight Importance of Immigration In Upcoming Elections
Immigration is one of the most important issues in the 2016 presidential race, as it has been in previous election cycles. Debates about our response to immigrants and refugees coming […]
Opposing the RAISE Act
Two weeks ago, the President endorsed a new bill in the Senate designed to cut legal immigration levels in half over a decade, a potentially extreme change to policies that […]
Advent Guide: First Sunday, December 3
Excerpted from A Season of Hope. An Advent Guide for Lectionary Year B from the North Carolina Council of Churches. “But in those days, following that distress, the sun will […]
Defending Temporary Protected Status
[…] the official cancellation of their status. This latest announcement has shaken the immigrant community as, once again, the current administration threatens the safety, health, and lives of members of our […]
Jesus, Martin, and Gilles
A reflection on Jesus of Nazareth (out of which nothing good comes)¹, the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr., and the detention of Gilles Bikindou. Jesus. Martin. […]
Lenten Reflection Guide: Easter Sunday
[…] Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go […]
Council Posts Billboard about Gun Violence
On your drive along I-85/40 outside of Mebane, look for our billboard on the side of the road. It will go up this week and stay in place for the […]
No More Mottos
Hours after teachers marched on Raleigh to talk about funding needs for their schools, their students, and, yes, even themselves, a bill was introduced in the N.C. General Assembly to […]
Familias Unidas, No Divididas
[…] Abraham,” and we are they, to welcome the stranger, to show hospitality, for we were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. Likewise, the United States is a nation that […]
Advent Guide: First Sunday, December 2
Excerpted from My Soul Magnifies the Lord, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches. This post contains the scripture passage, a brief commentary on the […]
Closing Doors and Closing Borders
[…] both asylum seekers and refugees. While both initiatives protect people facing persecution, asylum seekers apply once they have arrived at the border and refugees apply for protection from another country. […]
Faith & Immigration Summit
(en español abajo:) The 2016 Summit promises to accomplish four main goals: · Offer a unique statewide, ecumenical gathering for faith leaders who work primarily with immigrant congregations; · Help […]
The Sins of Guantanamo Bay
The following rem arks were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, during a vigil on January 11, 2022 calling on the Biden administration to close the Guantanamo […]
Closing Doors and Closing Borders
[…] both asylum seekers and refugees. While both initiatives protect people facing persecution, asylum seekers apply once they have arrived at the border and refugees apply for protection from another country. […]
Resources
We offer our resources for free because we want everyone to have access to them. But it takes a lot of time and effort to create these materials. If you’re […]
Immigration Fact Sheets
These fact sheets will help inform and guide your congregation’s conversations about immigration. Includes two fact sheets, one entitled “Society & Immigration: The Truth Behind the Immigration Debate in North […]