CHURCH COUNCIL
BULLETIN
Council Expands Programs, Partnerships:
Annual Report 2002
New programs and partnerships marked an exciting year
of work for the North Carolina Council of Churches, and 2003 promises to bring
with it new challenges.
Under the guidance of program associate Denise Cumbee Long, a new committee focused on Race, Culture and
Privilege was formed and began its work. It already has conducted two regional
workshops on antiracism and diversity training.
In the spring, the Council held its first Critical
Issues Seminar, this one dealing with the growing gap between rich and
poor. The daylong event drew about 200
people to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Later in the year, the Council joined in partnership
with Habitat for Humanity to launch FaithWorks, a
joint project to build 100 houses in rural
“Your bold action as the Christian community in this
state is going to make a difference,” Fuller said. “We will be good partners.”
As
international tensions mounted, Council staff members were active in opposing
unilateral action against
Perhaps 2002’s most exciting outcome for the Council
was the defeat of a state-sponsored lottery.
Activists in the Council’s legislative network joined forces with an
unusual assortment of other organizations to oppose the lottery. The legislative network was also active in
opposing devastating budget cuts that would have affected some of the state’s
most vulnerable residents.
The Council starts the year with the addition of
Barbara Zelter to the staff as a program associate
specializing in economic justice issues.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge about programs and policies
affecting low-income families and will spearhead the Council’s efforts on their
behalf.
And 2003 begins with a redesigned and updated website
(www.nccouncilofchurches.org) as well as new publications about the Council’s
mission and how to support it, and a traveling display which is available for
judicatory and other meetings to help spread the word about the work of the
Council.
ALL ARE IMPORTANT IN THE WORK OF THE
COUNCIL
George Reed
Executive Director
NCCC
Our neighborhood had been without power for four days
following the Ice Storm of 2002. A large limb lay on the line running to our
house. The line had been stretched, but seemed still attached.
Our power company hoped to have power restored to our
neighborhood that night. Right at dark, I discovered that the neutral wire was,
in fact, broken. What would happen if they turned on the juice to our home with
that line broken? The possibilities were troubling.
A little after dark, a power company contractor
appeared in the yard. I went to him, bubbling over with my anxiety about the
severed neutral line and full of questions about its potential impact. I paused
for him to reply. “That” he said, waving his arm dramatically towards the power
line coming to my house, “is magic. I’m here to cut
down the tree.”
To get our power back, we needed both the tree cutter
and the linesmen (who hooked our house back to the grid two cold days later).
To the tree cutter, the electricity might be magic. But without him, our house
would have remained dark and cold.
In his letter to the church at
I think of this as I reflect on the past year of the
Council’s life and especially on our efforts to slow down the rush to
unilateral, unprovoked war with
We’ve needed writers to articulate statements of
opposition, religious leaders willing to lend their moral weight, media-savvy
folks to organize press conferences, activists to arrange events, people to
turn out to show the depth of support. It’s also taken those who participate
regularly and faithfully in the Council’s operation, both paid and volunteer,
throughout the year – elected leaders who give us direction, a Personnel
Committee to be sure we have staff and a Nominating Committee to be sure we
have a Board, financial supporters to pay for it all, office folks working the
telephones and fax machines. All are important, all necessary.
It took the skill of the tree
cutter to return the magic of electricity to our home. And were we grateful! As
we head into a new year full of promise and full of danger, I am grateful for
the myriad ways that so many of you participate in the Council’s ministry. You
are all important to what we do. We need you all.
FINANCES TO DOMINATE 2003 LEGISLATIVE
SESSION
With the state facing a budget shortfall
for the fourth fiscal year, financial matters will dominate the 2003 session of
the North Carolina General Assembly.
This year’s shortfall is expected to be at least $1 billion in a budget
of $14 billion.
The Council of Churches will again have a
legislative presence in an effort to insure that programs serving vulnerable
people are not lost in budget battles.
And Council staff members are working to empower local citizens to stay
in touch with their legislators as the session gets underway.
For the first time, the Council will
distribute a packet of materials outlining its legislative priorities both to
elected officials in
The Council will continue to prepare and
distribute Raleigh Report to faith-based activists across the
state. This legislative newsletter provides timely information on a wide
variety of issues. A generous grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation will
enable much broader distribution during the 2003 legislative session.
In addition, the Council will again hold
an all-day legislative seminar to update grassroots activists on issues of
importance to people of faith. The
seminar takes place April 8 at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in
To its longstanding agenda focused on the
common good of all
Judicatories, Groups, Individuals Key to
Council Funding
Primary support for the North Carolina
Council of Churches comes from its member bodies. They are the NC
judicatories of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, General Baptist State Convention, Christian Methodist
Episcopal Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Moravian Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church
in America, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, United Church
of Christ, United Methodist Church, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches, and six Baptist congregations — Pullen Memorial, Binkley
Memorial, Watts Street, Knollwood, Myers Park and
Mars Hill.
In
addition, donations from congregations, organizations and individuals greatly
help in continuing our mission. Groups
that have given this year include:
Church of the Brethren Virlina District;
Church Women United in NC; Community UCC; Congregational Church of Tryon;
Episcopal Farmworker Ministry; First Baptist Church
of Oxford; Franklinton Center, Inc.; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Pilgrim
UCC; St. Paul’s Christian Church; United Methodist Women, Edenton Street UMC;
University Baptist Church; Yoke Fellowship of NC Inc. Individuals include:
Teresa H. Aldahondo, Dwight W. and Robin H. Allen,
William J. Andes, Michael W. and Gwendolyn Behen,
John Bell and Judy L. Whisnant, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bilbro, Henry Bizzell, Mrs.
Robert L. Blake, Henry and Sory F. Bowers, George A.
Brine, Samuel H. and Beverly M. Brown, Joseph C. Brown, Sr., Robert H. and Loven R. Bruhn, Carolyn Burrus, Joseph W. and Linda G. Burton, Angus and Catherine
Cameron, Kim A. and Susan P. Carlyle, John N. and Margaret M. Causey, Charles
G. and Evelyn R. Chamberlain, Daisy R. Chambers, Fred and Bonnie S. Clarke,
Daniel L. and Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, A.J. Howard Clement III, Michael H. and
Elizabeth G. Cogsdale, Betty S. Cook, Joyce G.
Corbett, James E. Creech, Frances J. Creech, Eugene T. and Betty Curtis, Anne
C. Dahle, Tyanna L. Day,
Claude V. Deal, Carolyn M. Dorisdotter, James and
Anne Drennan, Marjorie R. Eckels,
J. Richard and Jill R. Edens, E. Stephen and Sylvia
M. Edwards, Margaret W. Eggleston, Donald and Reba C. Elliott, Julia Elsee, George H. and Mary P. Esser,
Katherine Kilburn Fabrizio, Henry A. and Martha E. Fairbank, Benjamin and Pamela Seamans
Feldman, A. Ione Fergusen,
James W. and Doris D. Ferree, P. David Finks and
Christy Bulkeley, W.W. Finlator,
Frances Sue Fitzgerald, Joanne K. Frazer, Robert O. and Jane Freeman, John and
Joan Galbreath, William F. and Mallie
Graham, William E. Gramley, Elizabeth Wade Grant, J. Ferrel Guillory, Norman F. and Nancy S. Gustaveson,
James L. and Mary E. Hall, Moye A. Hardin, Walter
Harrelson, Michael O. Hartley, Charles and Colleen Hartsoe,
Wilton and Rosemary Hartzler, Michael and Thel C. Heaney, Kristen Herzog, Linda Hiatt and Peter A. Reichard, Donna J. Hicks, Hilda A. Highfill,
Winston (Bud) Hill, H. Steve Hoffman, Bertha “B” Merrill Holt, Audrey Hornaday, John Howard, Frances L. Huetter,
Robert E. and Sarah O.J. Hunter, Janet Hutchins, John and Sandra Irving,
Bridget Brown Johnson, Kevin Jones and Melissa Malami,
Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Jordan III, F. Belton and Louise Joyner, Carol R. Kepler, Leo Khohr and Judy Occhetti Klohr, Collins Kilburn,
Stan C. Kimer, J. Edwin King, Edwin and Dorothy King,
Cyrus B. and Carolyn S. King, William and Helen B. King, Edmund T. and Ruth H. Klemmer, George Kloster, Robert
M. Kollar, Ernest and Eunice K. Kraybill,
Creighton B. and Frances T. Lacy, Betty H. Landsberger,
Robert F. Lathaen and Margot Von Harten,
David P. and Patricia J. Lazenski, Paul and Carolina
Lindsay, Quentin W. and Marjorie W. Lindsey, W. Joseph and Ann F. Mann, Carole
C. Martin, Evelyn Mattern, Alexander P. McCoy,
Bill McElveen, Lawrence and Dorthy F. McGee, Jennifer McGovern and Steven W. Unruhe, Jack B. and KaKi E.
McKinney, H. Eugene and Beth McLead, Howard G. and
Julia B. Miller, James C. and Mary Neal Mills, Grover and Peggy T. Mims, Jerry
D. Murray, Sheila A. Nader, Warren A. Nord,
Suzanne B. Northcraft, Patricia Page, Owen and Mary
Peeler, G. Paul and Cynthia S. Phillips, J. Dickson and Lisa Phillips, Reginald
and Carrie Ponder, John P. Porter, Jack and Joan Preiss,
David and Lisa K. Price, Earnest Price, Jr., Conrad K. Pridgen,
Kathleen Putnam and Michael Goodyear, S.J. Raiter, J.
George and Susan Reed, McMurray S. and Erika M. Richey, H. Russell and Ruth H.
Roberson, Charles D. and Jean Rodenbough, G. Harold
and Gladys Rose, Ben C. and Jeanne R. Rouse, Rollin and Elizabeth Russell,
Robert G. and Julia P. Sandercock, R. Lucile Schmidt,
Adam Greenleaf Searing, Robert and Pearl
Seymour, Hope Shand, Linda S. Shaw, Carolyn S. Shinn,
George Lee and Mary C. Simmons, W. Irvin and Allene P.
Smallwood, A. Clay Smith, William C. and Winnie F. Smith, Gary and Jane Smith,
A.C. Smith, Laura and Thomas C. Spangler, Janie Speaks, Nancy Carol Stahl, Lynn
Stall, Rufus and Betty Lou Stark, Gary Dean and Nancy J. Stelling,
Amelia Stinson-Wesley, Jeanette Stokes, James and Caroline Sylivant,
Leslie W. Syron, G. Thomas and Joanne Stratton Tate,
Daniel and Linda K. Textoris, Charles Thompson, Sydnor and Harriette Thompson,
William H. Tiemann, Lenore Torbet,
Daniel F. Twomey, Joseph G. Vetter, Carl Viehe, Teresa I. Villamarin,
Richard J. and Barbara B. Volk, Jean L. Wagner, R.A.L. Walker, Janet C. Watrous, J.O. and Catherine M. Watson, Walter S. Weathers,
Nelson A.L. and Elaine K. Weller, Laura B. Wells, William M. Wells, W.M. Wells,
Jr., L. Elbert and Lois Wethington, Gordon P.
Whitaker, Melinda Faye Wiggins, Antoinette R. Wike,
Allen J. and Claire B. Wilcox, Donald G. Wilhoit,
Oscar Woolridge, Doris J. Yeattes.
We
are also grateful for generous support from the following funding sources: The
Ford Foundation, The Duke Endowment, and the National Religious Partnership on
the Environment. Finally, we express our appreciation to the following people
for in-kind support: Carl Bailey (Web of Support Project) for hosting our
website; Samuel T. Brown III (Third Generation Training) for computer tech
support; Billy Griffin for the gift of a typewriter; Melih
Onvural (and the Cary Academy Website Club) for
redesign of our website; and staff spouses Mike Gurkin and Neil McClenney for
in-house technical assistance.
Every
effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. Please alert us to any omissions or
misspellings so that we might correct them.
2002 Income and Expenses
(Based on unaudited
information)
Income
Member Bodies $139,094
Individuals & groups
63,594
Designated income (program
committees) 37,100
Administrative fees 16,790
Legislative services fees 4,494
Registration fees 3,764
Other
4,676
Total income $274,512
Expenses
Staff salaries and benefits $183,211
Office operation
30,502
Programs 37,290
Total expenses $251,003
Net Income
$23,509*
*Of this net income, $17,857 is designated
money given in 2002 for 2003 expenses, and $5,000 will go to a Cash Reserve
Account. (Non-profit organizations are
advised to maintain at least three months of operating funds in such an
account.) The remainder will support Council ministries in 2003.
UPCOMING EVENT
The Prophetic Voice of the
Growing the Next
Generation of Activists
St. Paul AME, Raleigh
Look for additional information in
future publications and posted soon on the Council’s
website.
Committees and Affiliates Vital to
Council’s Work
CHRISTIAN UNITY
This
committee again promoted the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January. It also planned the worship service for the
May House of Delegates meeting, which used excerpts from the inaugural service
for Churches Uniting in Christ or CUIC.
RURAL LIFE
Working
jointly with the Farmworker Ministry Committee, members of this committee organized a “Land
and Labor” study day in May to offer activists a chance to look at the impact
of agribusiness on labor practices, health and the environment.
RELIGION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
For
the second year, this committee made available resources for use on Public
Education Sabbath, which congregations are encouraged to observe in August.
Mike Ward, Superintendent of Public Instruction for
RACE, CULTURE AND PRIVILEGE
Although
new, this committee has already sponsored events designed to bring together
people working on, or interested in, antiracism and diversity training. The sessions provided an opportunity to
compare resources and curriculum from both faith-based and secular
perspectives. They also allowed participants an
opportunity for ecumenical conversation about what denominations and religious
groups are doing on these issues.
FARMWORKER MINISTRY
Along
with organizing a “Land and Labor” study day with the Rural Life Committee,
members of this committee continued support for the Farm Labor Organizing
Committee boycott of Mt. Olive Pickles.
They also continued to collaborate with the Farmworker
Housing Development Corporation.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate
Connection: The NC Interfaith Eco-Justice Network is the new name for the
Climate Change Committee. It has taken
part in forming a renewable energy (green power) program to be offered by
electric utilities in 2003. It also
sponsored a speaking tour for the Rev. Sally Bingham of Episcopal Power and
Light.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Members
of the committee were active during the 2002 legislative session, primarily in
working to save critical state services for vulnerable people and in opposing
the state lottery. The committee drafted legislative policy statements on the
common good, on Latino issues, and on preventing underage drinking. Later in
the year, the committee planned the 2003 Legislative Seminar
IMPACT OF THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT ON
CONGREGATIONS IN NC
This
committee’s work gathering an oral history of the impact of the women’s
movement on congregations will soon be published as a Readers’ Theater presentation.
PEOPLE OF FAITH AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
This
affiliate project of the Council continued to chalk up successes in promoting a
moratorium on the death penalty. By the end of 2002, it had garnered the
support of more than 500 local governments, businesses, religious and community
groups, and others.
NC
This
collaborative effort by seven statewide groups is funded by a generous grant from The
Ford Foundation. Its task is to focus attention on questions of economic justice
which result in
2003 LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR
Promoting the Common Good: People Come First
Tuesday, April 8
PROGRAM
Legislative Process/Citizen
Action
Living Wage/Income
Underage Drinking
Mental
Health, Developmental Disabilities, and
Substance Abuse
The Common Good: Faith and
Advocacy
Campaign Finance Reform
Legislative Process/Citizen
Action
Tax Justice
Health Care
Death Penalty Moratorium
Living Wage/Income
Latino Issues
Presentation
of the Faith Active in Public Life Award to Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, 23rd Senate District, Carrboro.
Remarks - Sen. Kinnaird
Tax Justice
State Lottery
Latino Issues
Housing
Criminal Justice
WORKSHOPS AND LEADERS
THE
BUDGET CRISIS
Tax
Justice. Elaine Mejia, NC Budget and
Living Wage. Barbara
Zelter, NC Council of Churches, and
Jennifer
Bumgarner, NC
Mental Health,
Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. John Tote, Coalition 2001.
Affordable Housing.
Constance Stancil, NC Low-Income
Housing Coalition.
Health Care. Rep. Verla Insko,
56th House District, and Adam Searing, NC Health Access Coalition.
State Lottery. George
Reed, NC Council of Churches.
Criminal Justice System. Lao Rubert,
TOPICS
FOR GRASS-ROOTS LOBBYISTS
Legislative
Process/Citizen Action. Chris Fitzsimon,
Common Sense Foundation, and
Campaign Finance Reform. Erin
Byrd, NC Voters for Clean Elections.
The Common Good: Faith and Advocacy. The Rev. Jim Vigen, Advocacy
Office, NC Synod,
Death Penalty
Moratorium. Marshall Dayan and Steve Dear, People of Faith Against the Death
Penalty.
NEW
ISSUES FOR 2003
Latino Issues. Ivan Parra, Executive
Director,
Underage Drinking.
Barbara Alvarez Martin,
Workshops will be sixty-five minutes in length, and
some will be repeated. Legislators will be invited to co-lead most workshops.
This Seminar is designed to provide information on
critical issues facing the General Assembly and to equip those working for humane and just social policies. All interested persons are invited to attend.
Registration for 2003 Legislative Seminar
Name ____________________________________ Church/Org ____________________________________
Address __________________________________ City, State
_____________________________________
(ZIP)
Phone: Home ( )____________ Work (
)______________ E-mail
______________________________
Please select workshop preferences:
Registration Fees (incl. lunch): $20 (Students - $10) Check here for vegetarian meal ____
Registration form must be returned with
payment by April 1 to guarantee lunch. Lunch cannot be
guaranteed after that date. Directions to the church are online at
<www.nccouncilofchurches.org>. Or check here ____ and we’ll send you a
map. Make check payable and mail to NC Council of Churches,
A publication of the North Carolina
Council of Churches
Rose Gurkin, Secretary
Audrey Hornaday,
Administrator/Bookkeeper
Denise Cumbee
Long, Program Associate
Evelyn Mattern, SFCC, Program
Associate
Aleta Payne, Communications
Associate and Editor
George Reed, Executive Director
Barbara Zelter,
Program Associate
E-mail:
Nccofc@nccouncilofchurches.org
Dlong@nccouncilofchurches.org
Emattern@nccouncilofchurches.org
Apayne@nccouncilofchurches.org
Greed@nccouncilofchurches.org
Bzelter@nccouncilofchurches.org
On the Web at:
www.nccouncilofchurches.org