Partners in Health & Wholeness

An initiative of the NC Council of Churches

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Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward […]

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress toward health care for all was made with the Affordable Care Act, progress toward […]

Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement

By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

We were already living in a time of profound consequence. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement means that while the needs of our endangered climate are increasing, […]

Now what? Staying Engaged and Grow the Interfaith Climate Movement

· by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

We were already living in a time of profound consequence. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement means that while the needs of our endangered climate are increasing, […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order

By Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress we have made over the past decade. In addition to directing the EPA to […]

Speak Out Against Anti-Climate Executive Order

· by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

This week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress we have made over the past decade. In addition to directing the EPA to […]

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful progressives. Each day has brought with it more reasons to be concerned for our […]

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful progressives. Each day has brought with it more reasons to be concerned for our […]

PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We are pleased to introduce the PHW Collaborative. Mostly, it is a change in the name, so if your congregation has been a part of the Partners in Health and […]

PHW Launches Collaborative; Certify for 2017

· by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We are pleased to introduce the PHW Collaborative. Mostly, it is a change in the name, so if your congregation has been a part of the Partners in Health and […]

PHW is Expanding

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Partners in Health and Wholeness is hiring for two new regional coordinators, one to serve in the Charlotte area and the other in the Wilmington area. Both positions are open […]

PHW is Expanding

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Partners in Health and Wholeness is hiring for two new regional coordinators, one to serve in the Charlotte area and the other in the Wilmington area. Both positions are open […]

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as vitally important in its truth-telling as it was hard to read for the future […]

Getting Back to Our Normal: Some Suggestions for the Long Haul

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Our friend Rob Schofield over at Policy Watch wrote a column on Tuesday that was as vitally important in its truth-telling as it was hard to read for the future […]

Let’s Keep Marching

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my tiny square of personal space in the heart of Washington DC, literally shoulder to […]

Let’s Keep Marching

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

At another time in my life, I would not have spent most of Saturday occupying my tiny square of personal space in the heart of Washington DC, literally shoulder to […]

Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Pizazz. Laughter. Friends. Singing. These words describe the Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference. But, did you know that a faith and health national conference even exists? Healthy Churches 2020 held […]

Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference

· by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Pizazz. Laughter. Friends. Singing. These words describe the Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference. But, did you know that a faith and health national conference even exists? Healthy Churches 2020 held […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & […]

Speak Out on Cabinet Nominees

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Groups at the state and national level continue to mobilize around concerns about President-Elect Donald Trump’s stated policy objectives and choices for cabinet posts. The NC NAACP, Interfaith Power & […]

Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to continue the process that could ultimately repeal the Affordable Care Act. Activists across the nation were already planning Day of Action events […]

Update: Save Our Health Care Rallies Statewide on January 15

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to continue the process that could ultimately repeal the Affordable Care Act. Activists across the nation were already planning Day of Action events […]

PHW Mini-Grants Now Open

By Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting mini-grant applications. Congregations who were certified in 2016 (and have not already received a grant from the last cycle) are […]

PHW Mini-Grants Now Open

· by Shannon Axtell Martin, PHW Regional Coordinator

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting mini-grant applications. Congregations who were certified in 2016 (and have not already received a grant from the last cycle) are […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness Grant Cycle Opens January 6

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

PHW-certified congregations across North Carolina are eligible to apply for a mini-grant to assist in furthering their commitment to health and wholeness. Mini-grant application periods are open twice a year; […]

Partners in Health and Wholeness Grant Cycle Opens January 6

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

PHW-certified congregations across North Carolina are eligible to apply for a mini-grant to assist in furthering their commitment to health and wholeness. Mini-grant application periods are open twice a year; […]

The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Looking ahead to 2017, there is much more work for the Council to do than we ever imagined. Please join us. Your financial support helps us continue what began in […]

The Council Welcomes Your End-of-Year Gift

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Looking ahead to 2017, there is much more work for the Council to do than we ever imagined. Please join us. Your financial support helps us continue what began in […]

Support North Carolina’s Faithful Voice for Justice, Unity, and Peace

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We are living in unsettling times. Progress we once thought inviolable now feels threatened. One constant is the NC Council of Churches and our commitment to a more just, united, […]

Support North Carolina’s Faithful Voice for Justice, Unity, and Peace

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

We are living in unsettling times. Progress we once thought inviolable now feels threatened. One constant is the NC Council of Churches and our commitment to a more just, united, […]

Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital

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

Community leaders continue to work endlessly to save the Pungo Hospital in Belhaven. Please join clergy and those concerned for justice this Wednesday, December 21, 10 a.m., at the Wake […]

Join in the Support of Belhaven’s Pungo Hospital

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

Community leaders continue to work endlessly to save the Pungo Hospital in Belhaven. Please join clergy and those concerned for justice this Wednesday, December 21, 10 a.m., at the Wake […]

Community Contributes to Our Wholeness

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness ambitiously endeavors to work for and toward issues of mind, body, and spirit with faith communities. The words ‘health’ and ‘wholeness’ are truly huge words, […]

Community Contributes to Our Wholeness

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

Partners in Health and Wholeness ambitiously endeavors to work for and toward issues of mind, body, and spirit with faith communities. The words ‘health’ and ‘wholeness’ are truly huge words, […]

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8 – and with thousands of North Carolinians already having cast their ballots – we […]

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8 – and with thousands of North Carolinians already having cast their ballots – we […]

PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15

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

The Partners in Health and Wholeness program originally had an October 31 deadline for our 2016 certification applications. However, due to the severity of Hurricane Matthew, we are extending our […]

PHW Certification Deadline Extended to November 15

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

The Partners in Health and Wholeness program originally had an October 31 deadline for our 2016 certification applications. However, due to the severity of Hurricane Matthew, we are extending our […]

2016 PHW Certifications Close on October 31 — Apply to be Considered for January Mini-Grants

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) offers an annual certification program to congregations across the state. Churches participating in PHW actively demonstrate their commitment to improving their health as well […]

2016 PHW Certifications Close on October 31 — Apply to be Considered for January Mini-Grants

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) offers an annual certification program to congregations across the state. Churches participating in PHW actively demonstrate their commitment to improving their health as well […]

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Registration for 2016 Critical Issues Seminar workshops is now available online. If you have not yet registered, please use the form below to do so and include your selection for […]

2016 Critical Issues Seminar — Register for Workshops

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Registration for 2016 Critical Issues Seminar workshops is now available online. If you have not yet registered, please use the form below to do so and include your selection for […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion […]

Reform Medicaid by Expanding It

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Remarks delivered on March 30 by Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving at the Raleigh public hearing on Medicaid reform. As Medicaid reform is being planned, please consider including Medicaid expansion […]

Wake Divinity School Grooms Young Leaders With Soil

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I have the pleasure of continuing to work with Fred Bahnson, director of the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at the Wake Forest University Divinity School. Partners in Health […]

Wake Divinity School Grooms Young Leaders With Soil

· by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

I have the pleasure of continuing to work with Fred Bahnson, director of the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at the Wake Forest University Divinity School. Partners in Health […]

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links between faith and public policies. And of the various events and activities sponsored by […]

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links between faith and public policies. And of the various events and activities sponsored by […]

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar. Held every two years, the Seminar equips people of faith with the […]

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar. Held every two years, the Seminar equips people of faith with the […]

What Frightens Civitas?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my parents divorced when I was a toddler) who was fortunate to have a solid […]

What Frightens Civitas?

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Apparently I scare Civitas. Maybe it’s my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom (my parents divorced when I was a toddler) who was fortunate to have a solid […]

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state continue to affect positive change? Join the staff of the North Carolina Council of […]

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state continue to affect positive change? Join the staff of the North Carolina Council of […]

Petition to Expand Medicaid in NC — Signers Welcome

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Health Care for All NC is continuing the important work for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. The group is hoping concerned residents will add their names to a petition calling on […]

Petition to Expand Medicaid in NC — Signers Welcome

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Health Care for All NC is continuing the important work for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. The group is hoping concerned residents will add their names to a petition calling on […]

2014 Faith & Health Summit: Registration Deadline Extended

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The deadline to register for the 2014 Faith and Health Summit has been extended until this Friday, October 3. More than 200 people have already reserved their space at this […]

2014 Faith & Health Summit: Registration Deadline Extended

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The deadline to register for the 2014 Faith and Health Summit has been extended until this Friday, October 3. More than 200 people have already reserved their space at this […]

Cary Congregation with Liberian ties Collects Medical Supplies

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

We have all been touched by news of the growing Ebola crisis in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Nigeria, a crisis that so far has resisted efforts at containment. Those […]

Cary Congregation with Liberian ties Collects Medical Supplies

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

We have all been touched by news of the growing Ebola crisis in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Nigeria, a crisis that so far has resisted efforts at containment. Those […]

2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Please join the North Carolina Council of Churches at the 2014 Faith and Health Summit, which will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem (501 […]

2014 Faith & Health Summit – Register Now!

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Please join the North Carolina Council of Churches at the 2014 Faith and Health Summit, which will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem (501 […]

Gardening With a Purpose

By Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I received a notice from a local community garden organizer about a grant opportunity sponsored by a fertilizer company. I shared it with my e-mail group and found one […]

Gardening With a Purpose

· by Joy Williams, Former PHW Regional Coordinator

Recently, I received a notice from a local community garden organizer about a grant opportunity sponsored by a fertilizer company. I shared it with my e-mail group and found one […]

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part of HKonJ 2014. Longtime activists from across the state walked with college students, parents […]

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part of HKonJ 2014. Longtime activists from across the state walked with college students, parents […]

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s Moral March on Raleigh and HKonJ People’s Assembly. Events include: A Mass Meeting and […]

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s Moral March on Raleigh and HKonJ People’s Assembly. Events include: A Mass Meeting and […]

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though […]

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though […]

PHW Success Story – Islamic Association of Raleigh

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is blessed to have a kitchen/restaurant facility which serves the entire community on different occasions. There is also the community’s school garden that is […]

PHW Success Story – Islamic Association of Raleigh

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

The Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR) is blessed to have a kitchen/restaurant facility which serves the entire community on different occasions. There is also the community’s school garden that is […]

Rio+20 and The Climate is Changed!

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

One of my friends just posted this amazing YouTube video of Severn Suzuki who, at age 12, addressed the United Nations at the first Earth Summit in Rio twenty years […]

Rio+20 and The Climate is Changed!

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

One of my friends just posted this amazing YouTube video of Severn Suzuki who, at age 12, addressed the United Nations at the first Earth Summit in Rio twenty years […]

Statement on Passage of Amendment One

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

In light of yesterday’s vote to add a discriminatory amendment about marriage to our state’s constitution, it is important to consider what was accomplished through this campaign and what it […]

Statement on Passage of Amendment One

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

In light of yesterday’s vote to add a discriminatory amendment about marriage to our state’s constitution, it is important to consider what was accomplished through this campaign and what it […]

A Personal Story of Faith and Health

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

BCBSNC Foundation

My faith journey began at an early age and in a somewhat nontraditional way. I fondly remember attending weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies at my grandmother’s house in rural North Carolina. Community members would come from all around to worship together in a small, weather-beaten house at the end of a long dirt path. They would read scriptures, sing songs and tell stories of how they were able to overcome various obstacles throughout the week.

A Personal Story of Faith and Health

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

BCBSNC Foundation

My faith journey began at an early age and in a somewhat nontraditional way. I fondly remember attending weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies at my grandmother’s house in rural North Carolina. Community members would come from all around to worship together in a small, weather-beaten house at the end of a long dirt path. They would read scriptures, sing songs and tell stories of how they were able to overcome various obstacles throughout the week.

Deadline for Critical Issues Seminar Extended; Eva Clayton to Speak at Lunch

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The deadline to guarantee lunch at the 2012 Critical Issues Seminar has been extended to April 12. This year’s seminar, Eating Well for Ourselves, For Our Neighbors, For Our Planet, takes […]

Deadline for Critical Issues Seminar Extended; Eva Clayton to Speak at Lunch

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The deadline to guarantee lunch at the 2012 Critical Issues Seminar has been extended to April 12. This year’s seminar, Eating Well for Ourselves, For Our Neighbors, For Our Planet, takes […]

Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

I was 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 years or even decades. The issues we heard about at the Anniversary are difficult ones. They have produced years of frustration and sometimes what looked like complete failure. And yet . . .

Reflections on Our 75th Anniversary

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

I was 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 years or even decades. The issues we heard about at the Anniversary are difficult ones. They have produced years of frustration and sometimes what looked like complete failure. And yet . . .