PHW Voices

Caring for Mind, Body, and Spirit: The Church’s Commitment to Mental Health

May 21, 2025 By Rev. Carrilea Hall, West Regional Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on mental wellbeing and to affirm that caring for our mental health is not only essential, but […]

Caring for Mind, Body, and Spirit: The Church’s Commitment to Mental Health

May 21, 2025 · by Rev. Carrilea Hall, West Regional Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on mental wellbeing and to affirm that caring for our mental health is not only essential, but […]

2025 Faith and Mental Health Summits Recap

May 21, 2025 By Partners in Health and Wholeness

In 2025, we had the privilege of hosting three impactful Faith and Health Summits across North Carolina—Asheville, Sanford, and Greenville. These events brought together 250+ faith leaders, mental health professionals, […]

2025 Faith and Mental Health Summits Recap

May 21, 2025 · by Partners in Health and Wholeness

Aerial view of lush, green landscape and French Broad River in Hot Springs, NC.

Facing the Storm, Finding the Stillness

May 8, 2025 By Partners in Health and Wholeness

By Rev. Erin Burleson On September 27, 2024, I took my children outside into the hurricane winds and rain. It wasn’t reckless—it was a teaching moment. I wanted them to […]

Facing the Storm, Finding the Stillness

May 8, 2025 · by Partners in Health and Wholeness

By Rev. Erin Burleson On September 27, 2024, I took my children outside into the hurricane winds and rain. It wasn’t reckless—it was a teaching moment. I wanted them to […]

Healthier Aging through Intergenerational Inclusion

March 14, 2024 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

A recent New York Times piece titled “Old and Young, Talking Again” explores the link between cross-generational connections and improved perceptions and outcomes of aging. Opportunities for younger folks and […]

Healthier Aging through Intergenerational Inclusion

March 14, 2024 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

December 13, 2023 By Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Near the altar where I stood 10 years earlier to co-officiate their wedding ceremony, I rested at a podium as my eyes shifted between my brother-in-law seated on the front […]

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

December 13, 2023 · by Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Near the altar where I stood 10 years earlier to co-officiate their wedding ceremony, I rested at a podium as my eyes shifted between my brother-in-law seated on the front […]

Navigating Grief and Hope

November 2, 2023 By Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

You cannot write the word on social media without triggering an inquiry about your safety or being digitally reprimanded for violating the platform’s community policy. But the digital space isn’t […]

Navigating Grief and Hope

November 2, 2023 · by Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

A Clergy’s Call to Confronting Opioid Overdose

October 13, 2023 By Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

My neighborhood is interesting, and you never know what to expect when you walk out the door. I thought nothing could surprise me until one Saturday this summer, around 7:30 […]

A Clergy’s Call to Confronting Opioid Overdose

October 13, 2023 · by Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

My neighborhood is interesting, and you never know what to expect when you walk out the door. I thought nothing could surprise me until one Saturday this summer, around 7:30 […]

September is Healthy Aging Month at PHW and Beyond!

September 15, 2023 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Healthy Aging Month is in full swing at PHW, with faith communities across the state building elements of our Healthy Aging Inclusion Plan into the new church year! I am […]

September is Healthy Aging Month at PHW and Beyond!

September 15, 2023 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Healthy Aging Month is in full swing at PHW, with faith communities across the state building elements of our Healthy Aging Inclusion Plan into the new church year! I am […]

A Faith-Focused Suicide Prevention Training for All

May 5, 2023 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

There are topics that can be difficult to talk about, including death and grief. Of these topics, one particular situation that is more common than we think is suicide. And […]

A Faith-Focused Suicide Prevention Training for All

May 5, 2023 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

There are topics that can be difficult to talk about, including death and grief. Of these topics, one particular situation that is more common than we think is suicide. And […]

May is Mental Health Month!

May 5, 2023 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Happy Mental Health Month! This is a terrific time to promote helpful mental health practices with your faith community. We can also increase awareness for those living with mental health […]

May is Mental Health Month!

May 5, 2023 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Happy Mental Health Month! This is a terrific time to promote helpful mental health practices with your faith community. We can also increase awareness for those living with mental health […]

Ministry Along I-95 Requires New Tools for Clergy

March 10, 2023 By Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Within a few weeks of starting in my position at the Council, I met Cape Fear Valley Health Community Paramedic Chris Dudley at a health resource event in Fayetteville. Unlike […]

Ministry Along I-95 Requires New Tools for Clergy

March 10, 2023 · by Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Within a few weeks of starting in my position at the Council, I met Cape Fear Valley Health Community Paramedic Chris Dudley at a health resource event in Fayetteville. Unlike […]

Nourishing Lives During National Nutrition Month

March 7, 2023 By Partners in Health and Wholeness

Guest Author Kim Eshleman, Faith Communities LiaisonFaithful Families Thriving Communities/Steps to Health (NC State University’s SNAP-Ed program) Nutrition is a word with many connotations and one that may evoke complex […]

Nourishing Lives During National Nutrition Month

March 7, 2023 · by Partners in Health and Wholeness

PHW Spotlight: Meet Apostle Michelle Sledge of Kingdom Entity Apostolic Ministries

February 3, 2023 By Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Apostle Dr. Michelle Sledge is the pastor of Kingdom Entity Apostolic Ministries and the faith lead for the PHW mini-grant funded initiative that provides wellness programming to the food pantry […]

PHW Spotlight: Meet Apostle Michelle Sledge of Kingdom Entity Apostolic Ministries

February 3, 2023 · by Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, Partners in Health and Wholeness East Regional Associate Director

Introducing Healthy Aging and Mental Health Inclusion Plans

February 3, 2023 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Rev. Jessica Stokes, PHW Associate Director, Mental Health Advocacy Krista Westervelt, PHW Associate Director, Healthy Aging Partners in Health and Wholeness is excited to announce our new inclusion plans for […]

Introducing Healthy Aging and Mental Health Inclusion Plans

February 3, 2023 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

2022 Willona Stallings Award for Excellence in Community Innovation to Annie McIver, Health Lead for Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

September 21, 2022 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

This past Thursday at the Faith Health Summit, the Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) program of the North Carolina Council of Churches presented the 2022 Willona Stallings Award for […]

2022 Willona Stallings Award for Excellence in Community Innovation to Annie McIver, Health Lead for Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

September 21, 2022 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

This past Thursday at the Faith Health Summit, the Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) program of the North Carolina Council of Churches presented the 2022 Willona Stallings Award for […]

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 30, 2022 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness day. It is a day to remember those we have lost to overdose and to raise awareness on evidence-based practices to prevent overdoses like overdose prevention centers and overdose reversal medication such as Naloxone and Narcan. According to […]

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 30, 2022 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

Faith and Health Summit 2022 Mindful Safety: Covid Protocols

August 16, 2022 By Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

We are counting down the weeks until September 15, 2022. As of today, we are 4 weeks and 2 days from the Faith and Health Summit. Join us at Holy […]

Faith and Health Summit 2022 Mindful Safety: Covid Protocols

August 16, 2022 · by Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

We are counting down the weeks until September 15, 2022. As of today, we are 4 weeks and 2 days from the Faith and Health Summit. Join us at Holy […]

Health Ministry as Peace Work – A Reflection on Peace Month

August 4, 2022 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

This August marks one year since I first reached out to the Partners in Health & Wholeness (PHW) team as a potential host site for my Senior Practicum in Peace […]

Health Ministry as Peace Work – A Reflection on Peace Month

August 4, 2022 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

This August marks one year since I first reached out to the Partners in Health & Wholeness (PHW) team as a potential host site for my Senior Practicum in Peace […]

Faith and Health Summit 2022

August 1, 2022 By Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

MINDFUL TOGETHER Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God The countdown has begun. Did you know that the Partners in Health and Wholeness Faith and Health Summit is back […]

Faith and Health Summit 2022

August 1, 2022 · by Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

MINDFUL TOGETHER Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God The countdown has begun. Did you know that the Partners in Health and Wholeness Faith and Health Summit is back […]

Meeting the Moment for LGBTQ+ Older Adults

June 30, 2022 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

There are currently 3 million LGBTQ+ adults aged 65 or older in the United States and that number is expected to double by 2030 (source). While the age-related needs of […]

Meeting the Moment for LGBTQ+ Older Adults

June 30, 2022 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

There are currently 3 million LGBTQ+ adults aged 65 or older in the United States and that number is expected to double by 2030 (source). While the age-related needs of […]

Aging and Imago Dei

May 24, 2022 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Is there an expiration date on our inherent worth and dignity? An aging out of being made in God’s image? The past two pandemic years have been a litmus test […]

Aging and Imago Dei

May 24, 2022 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Is there an expiration date on our inherent worth and dignity? An aging out of being made in God’s image? The past two pandemic years have been a litmus test […]

Healthcare is a Justice Issue

May 9, 2022 By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

May 2022 may be the first time in my 57 years that I’ve deeply appreciated the arrival of spring. Yes, spring officially began in March but it was still a […]

Healthcare is a Justice Issue

May 9, 2022 · by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

May 2022 may be the first time in my 57 years that I’ve deeply appreciated the arrival of spring. Yes, spring officially began in March but it was still a […]

In the Trauma of War, We Pray for Ukraine

March 29, 2022 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

O God, who loves each of us, wherever we are in the worldWho calls each of us by nameWho knows our hearts and knits us in our mother’s womb (Psalm […]

In the Trauma of War, We Pray for Ukraine

March 29, 2022 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

O God, who loves each of us, wherever we are in the worldWho calls each of us by nameWho knows our hearts and knits us in our mother’s womb (Psalm […]

Bolstering Local Economies & Food Access: Faith Communities & Farmers of Color

March 10, 2022 By North Carolina Council of Churches

By Justine Post, Come to the Table Program Director, Rural Advancement Foundation, partner of the NC Council of Churches BIPOC (Black & Brown, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers in the […]

Bolstering Local Economies & Food Access: Faith Communities & Farmers of Color

March 10, 2022 · by North Carolina Council of Churches

By Justine Post, Come to the Table Program Director, Rural Advancement Foundation, partner of the NC Council of Churches BIPOC (Black & Brown, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers in the […]

Show Your Heart Some Love this February

February 9, 2022 By Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

One morning last summer, while taking myself on a hike on one of my favorite local trails, I struck up a brief conversation with a man in his 70s who […]

Show Your Heart Some Love this February

February 9, 2022 · by Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Aging

One morning last summer, while taking myself on a hike on one of my favorite local trails, I struck up a brief conversation with a man in his 70s who […]

North Carolina’s $750 Million Dollar Opioid Settlement: How will it help?

February 9, 2022 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

If you are interested in learning more about the Opioid Settlement join us on February 10th from 11am-12:30pm for the Faith Health Connection: Opioid Settlement. We will be joined by […]

North Carolina’s $750 Million Dollar Opioid Settlement: How will it help?

February 9, 2022 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

If you are interested in learning more about the Opioid Settlement join us on February 10th from 11am-12:30pm for the Faith Health Connection: Opioid Settlement. We will be joined by […]

Together: Wholly Sacred and Beautifully Ordinary

January 26, 2022 By Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

We breathe the same air, and we drink the same water. Nicole Johnson My grandfather was an old school farmer. Any suggestions to include newer techniques or farm machinery on […]

Together: Wholly Sacred and Beautifully Ordinary

January 26, 2022 · by Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

We breathe the same air, and we drink the same water. Nicole Johnson My grandfather was an old school farmer. Any suggestions to include newer techniques or farm machinery on […]

World AIDS day

December 1, 2021 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

Today, December 1, is World AIDS day. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to come together in solidarity with people living with HIV and to recognize those who have […]

World AIDS day

December 1, 2021 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

Today, December 1, is World AIDS day. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to come together in solidarity with people living with HIV and to recognize those who have […]

2020-2021 Overdose Deaths Heartbreaking Record

November 19, 2021 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

On November 17, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control released annual data on the number of unintentional overdose deaths in the United States. For the first time, this number topped […]

2020-2021 Overdose Deaths Heartbreaking Record

November 19, 2021 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

On November 17, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control released annual data on the number of unintentional overdose deaths in the United States. For the first time, this number topped […]

September – National Recovery Month

September 20, 2021 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

This month we recognize National Recovery Month and celebrate everyone who is in recovery however they define that to be. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery […]

September – National Recovery Month

September 20, 2021 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

PHW Honors Collaborative Church with Award

July 22, 2021 By Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The past year and a half has been trying for all of us, some more than others. But a blessing that came out of this time of deep reflection was […]

PHW Honors Collaborative Church with Award

July 22, 2021 · by Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The past year and a half has been trying for all of us, some more than others. But a blessing that came out of this time of deep reflection was […]

Spotlight: Olive Branch Ministry

April 13, 2021 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

HICKORY, NC — Founded by the Rev. Michelle Mathis and her wife Karen Lowe, Olive Branch Ministry is a faith-based harm reduction agency covering nine counties in the foothills and […]

Spotlight: Olive Branch Ministry

April 13, 2021 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

HICKORY, NC — Founded by the Rev. Michelle Mathis and her wife Karen Lowe, Olive Branch Ministry is a faith-based harm reduction agency covering nine counties in the foothills and […]

Do This in Remembrance of Me

March 15, 2021 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As Americans, our collective remembrance and solidarity have often centered around one key question: Where were you when — ? For my (white) parents’ generation, the question was: Where were […]

Do This in Remembrance of Me

March 15, 2021 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As Americans, our collective remembrance and solidarity have often centered around one key question: Where were you when — ? For my (white) parents’ generation, the question was: Where were […]

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part III)

December 11, 2020 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

To read Part I of this series, click here. To read Part II of this series, click here. In this series about mental health and race, we have looked at […]

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part III)

December 11, 2020 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

To read Part I of this series, click here. To read Part II of this series, click here. In this series about mental health and race, we have looked at […]

Blessed are those who continue to mourn

December 4, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Several months ago, as summer was just beginning, I wrote on behalf of the Partners in Health and Wholeness team to mark the tragic milestone of 1,000 lives lost to […]

Blessed are those who continue to mourn

December 4, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Several months ago, as summer was just beginning, I wrote on behalf of the Partners in Health and Wholeness team to mark the tragic milestone of 1,000 lives lost to […]

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part II)

October 29, 2020 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

To read Part 1 of the “Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work” series, click here. In all the stress and unknown of this world, resilience is a […]

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work (Part II)

October 29, 2020 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

To read Part 1 of the “Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, & Sacred Work” series, click here. In all the stress and unknown of this world, resilience is a […]

October is National Substance Use Prevention Month

October 16, 2020 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

Do you remember the public service announcement video titled “This Is Your Brain on Drugs?” This ad series, like others in the 1980s, begins with a man holding an egg […]

October is National Substance Use Prevention Month

October 16, 2020 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

Do you remember the public service announcement video titled “This Is Your Brain on Drugs?” This ad series, like others in the 1980s, begins with a man holding an egg […]

The Spirituality of Loneliness in Life’s Second Chapter

October 12, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

“Quite simply, human relationship is as essential to our well-being as food and water.” –former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Within the global pandemic of Covid-19 lies another deadly yet often […]

The Spirituality of Loneliness in Life’s Second Chapter

October 12, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, and Sacred Work (Part I)

October 9, 2020 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

“Racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma”- Mental Health America. This is a strong statement that requires deep consideration. Racism, mental health concerns, and trauma are infused. […]

Mental Health and Race: Barriers, Ideas, and Sacred Work (Part I)

October 9, 2020 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

Re-imagining Health Ministries During COVID: How to keep Health Ministries Engaged

October 9, 2020 By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

At our houses of worship, things have looked different for a while. Many faith communities and their health ministries have mobilized in unprecedented ways to keep their communities healthy and […]

Re-imagining Health Ministries During COVID: How to keep Health Ministries Engaged

October 9, 2020 · by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

At our houses of worship, things have looked different for a while. Many faith communities and their health ministries have mobilized in unprecedented ways to keep their communities healthy and […]

High Country UCC

September 29, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

High Country United Church of Christ (UCC), located in the beautiful western region of North Carolina, has been a member of the PHW Collaborative for about two years now. The […]

High Country UCC

September 29, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

High Country United Church of Christ (UCC), located in the beautiful western region of North Carolina, has been a member of the PHW Collaborative for about two years now. The […]

COVID-19 Spotlights

July 30, 2020 By Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness is proud to partner with faith communities that are committed to promoting faith, health, and justice. The congregations in our Collaborative network are what make […]

COVID-19 Spotlights

July 30, 2020 · by Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Caring for Elderly Loved Ones During COVID-19

July 26, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As the daughter of parents who are deep into their eighties, these past four months have been particularly worrisome since Covid-19 reshaped all our lives into unknown territory. And, as of […]

Caring for Elderly Loved Ones During COVID-19

July 26, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As the daughter of parents who are deep into their eighties, these past four months have been particularly worrisome since Covid-19 reshaped all our lives into unknown territory. And, as of […]

World Hepatitis Day: Finding the Missing Millions

July 24, 2020 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day, and this year’s theme is designed to raise awareness and encourage action in finding the estimated 290 million people who are unaware they have […]

World Hepatitis Day: Finding the Missing Millions

July 24, 2020 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day, and this year’s theme is designed to raise awareness and encourage action in finding the estimated 290 million people who are unaware they have […]

Spotlight: Free COVID-19 Testing

July 23, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health, and justice. We partner with faith communities […]

Spotlight: Free COVID-19 Testing

July 23, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches, is designed to bridge issues of faith, health, and justice. We partner with faith communities […]

Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities

July 7, 2020 By North Carolina Council of Churches

Download The Guide & Share This Link To Triple The Vote! —> bit.ly/NCvaluesvoter The 2020 elections could not be more significant. The outcome will set the course on climate change […]

Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities

July 7, 2020 · by North Carolina Council of Churches

Download The Guide & Share This Link To Triple The Vote! —> bit.ly/NCvaluesvoter The 2020 elections could not be more significant. The outcome will set the course on climate change […]

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders

July 1, 2020 By North Carolina Council of Churches

The leaders of the denominational members of the North Carolina Council of Churches have sent a joint letter to senior elected leaders, Governor Cooper, Representative Moore, and Senator Berger, outlining […]

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders

July 1, 2020 · by North Carolina Council of Churches

St. Stephen Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ

June 24, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

St. Stephen Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ is located in Trenton, NC in the heart of Eastern North Carolina. They have been a member of the PHW Collaborative for […]

St. Stephen Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ

June 24, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

St. Stephen Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ is located in Trenton, NC in the heart of Eastern North Carolina. They have been a member of the PHW Collaborative for […]

St. Paul Presbyterian Church

June 24, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

St. Paul Presbyterian Church is located in Louisburg, NC in Central North Carolina. They have made healthy eating central to their ministry through the initiative “A Blessing Soup Kitchen,” serving nutritious […]

St. Paul Presbyterian Church

June 24, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Oasis of Hope Ministries

June 24, 2020 By Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Oasis of Hope Ministries is located in Henderson, NC in Central North Carolina. Oasis of Hope Ministries has been centering faith, health, and well-being in their ministry for almost 4 […]

Oasis of Hope Ministries

June 24, 2020 · by Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Oasis of Hope Ministries is located in Henderson, NC in Central North Carolina. Oasis of Hope Ministries has been centering faith, health, and well-being in their ministry for almost 4 […]

Haywood Street UMC

June 24, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Haywood Street UMC has been a member of the PHW Collaborative since 2018. They have always been an anchor of support in their community through ministering with the unsheltered population of Asheville, serving […]

Haywood Street UMC

June 24, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

Sacred Spaces

June 5, 2020 By Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

What does “sacred space” mean to you? This is the question I asked during my first virtual Sunday school class weeks ago. I teach a broad age range (3-9) so […]

Sacred Spaces

June 5, 2020 · by Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator

What does “sacred space” mean to you? This is the question I asked during my first virtual Sunday school class weeks ago. I teach a broad age range (3-9) so […]

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

June 4, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As of this morning, Thursday, June 4, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that Covid-19 has claimed the lives of 999 North Carolinians. We, the staff of Partners in Health […]

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

June 4, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

As of this morning, Thursday, June 4, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that Covid-19 has claimed the lives of 999 North Carolinians. We, the staff of Partners in Health […]

Cherishing the Elderly Among Us

May 28, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

May is Mother’s Day. It is high school and college graduations, Memorial Day weekend barbecues and beach trips , and the anticipation of summer’s more languid pace. May is also […]

Cherishing the Elderly Among Us

May 28, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

May is Mother’s Day. It is high school and college graduations, Memorial Day weekend barbecues and beach trips , and the anticipation of summer’s more languid pace. May is also […]

Statement on Staying Home

April 24, 2020 By North Carolina Council of Churches

Approved by the Executive Committee of the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council on April 23, 2020. The North Carolina Council of Churches supports the Governor of N.C. and […]

Statement on Staying Home

April 24, 2020 · by North Carolina Council of Churches

Approved by the Executive Committee of the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council on April 23, 2020. The North Carolina Council of Churches supports the Governor of N.C. and […]

Holy Breaths: Our Health Tips in Response to COVID-19

April 6, 2020 By Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

This “new normal” of social distancing has been weighing on our minds, hearts, and souls. We are living through a challenging time constantly consumed by distressing news updates. Many face […]

Holy Breaths: Our Health Tips in Response to COVID-19

April 6, 2020 · by Lindsay Barth, Event Coordinator & PHW Communications Associate

This “new normal” of social distancing has been weighing on our minds, hearts, and souls. We are living through a challenging time constantly consumed by distressing news updates. Many face […]

Virus Threat’s Harsh Light

March 14, 2020 By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The rapidly unfolding global coronavirus crisis can’t help but get us thinking in a familiar vein: woulda, coulda and shoulda. In the United States, if federal authorities hadn’t been hamstrung […]

Virus Threat’s Harsh Light

March 14, 2020 · by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Cherish Your Heart

March 4, 2020 By Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

When I was a kid my friends and I would sometimes, in the middle of a conversation, go very still and say, with great solemnity: “I’m serious as a heart […]

Cherish Your Heart

March 4, 2020 · by Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging

When I was a kid my friends and I would sometimes, in the middle of a conversation, go very still and say, with great solemnity: “I’m serious as a heart […]

Reflections on the 2019 Eastern Faith and Health Summit

February 4, 2020 By Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

The Partners in Health and Wholeness Eastern NC Summit, titled “Mindful Together: Our Health Connects Us to Each Other and God” was more than an event. It was a gathering […]

Reflections on the 2019 Eastern Faith and Health Summit

February 4, 2020 · by Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy

The Partners in Health and Wholeness Eastern NC Summit, titled “Mindful Together: Our Health Connects Us to Each Other and God” was more than an event. It was a gathering […]

Thank You NC 100 Mile Challenge Churches: You Inspire Us!

January 27, 2020 By Nicole Johnson, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

5 years old to 90 years old 36 congregations (known) 50,000 miles and counting parks/neighborhoods/rivers/labyrinths prayer, work, meditation mind/body/spirit Baptist/ Nondenominational/Episcopa-lian, Methodist/Islamic mental health workshops/blood pressure kits/treadmills/fitness workshops/gardens Two years […]