1. NC VALUES: Merry Christmas!
From all of us at the NC Values Coalition, we wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
2. WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Same-sex weddings not allowed, Winston-Salem venue tells couple
"A same sex-couple say they were shocked when the operator of a local wedding venue told them that same-sex marriage ceremonies are not held there."
"In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, finding the state's civil rights commission showed anti-religious bias when it ruled against the baker for refusing to make the cake."
3. NC POLITICAL NEWS: Supreme Court rebukes governor on spending control
"The N.C. Supreme Court has affirmed the General Assembly’s control over state spending decisions. A new 6-1 ruling rejects the governor’s attempt to bypass lawmakers in determining how federal block grants should be spent.
A 43-page opinion from Justice Sam Ervin IV affirms earlier court rulings upholding state lawmakers’ constitutional power to control money flowing into the state treasury. Justice Anita Earls cast the only dissenting vote."
4. CBS17: Durham Public Schools giving all students A’s on end-of-course exams because of COVID
5. NORTH STATE JOURNAL: General Assembly retirements of 2020
“Just over half-a-dozen lawmakers announced retirement this year, with some of them headed to other governmental roles or appointments.”
We honor all those who have served. Click here to see the full list.
WEEKLY PRAYER: OFFICIALS
LORD, you also have instructed us to pray for our governing officials, and we come to you in the spirit of this petition. We pray for our national government and its executive, legislative, and judicial servants. May they indeed be servants unto the people, and govern in a manner that protects liberty and virtue. In the same spirit, we pray for public servants across our state and local governments. May they all heed your mandate in Romans 13:4 to be in positions of authority as "God's servant" and for the "good" of the public. They govern in what we confess are difficult times. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the civic unrest, the hostile political climate, and the opposition of international opponents such as China, they are much in need of your incalculable wisdom. May they plead with you to give it to them, and may your grace respond in kind.
Protect we, the People, from this virus, and help quicken our social, physical, emotional, and economic recovery.
Amen
Sincerely,
North Carolina Values Coalition
