NationBuilder

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the Friday Five! Every Friday we share our top five articles, stories, and quotes for you to read and share with your friends and church families.

We would be very grateful if you could make a donation of $100, $50, $25, or $10 today towards our work producing these Friday Fives and fighting for your values on the public square!

1. VOTE: Early voting for your local election ends tomorrow.

Tomorrow, Saturday November 4th, is the last chance you have to vote early in this year's 2023 municipal elections. Local elections in our state have some of the lowest turnout rates of voters. However, as the school board book battles and attacks against parental rights across the nation evidence, they are very important. They also provide an opportunity to make a big pro-values impact in your community. That's why we encourage those of you with municipal elections to go vote early (just in case).

For more on what elections are happening nearest you, check out ncsbe.gov's interactive county map. You can also click here to check out our iVoterGuide scores for races in Asheboro, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Mooresville, and Roanoke Rapids school boards.

2. CAROLINA JOURNAL, NC VALUES' LAURA MACKLEM OP-ED: Left continues to attack crisis pregnancy centers, now using misinformation

"In response to the budget appropriations to support private pro-life pregnancy care centers, state Sen. Natasha Marcus, D-Mecklenburg; and state Reps. Julie von Haefen, D-Wake; and Maria Cervania, D-Wake, launched breathtaking inaccuracies based on sloppy research and mischaracterized the work of these centers. These angry coordinated attacks on pregnancy-care centers by people with extreme positions on abortion have been fierce since the budget passed, because true choice for women threatens the left’s political and financial capital."

3. CAROLINA JOURNAL: Atrium Health to block parents from children's prescription records

“Controversy surrounds a healthcare provider’s decision to block parents from having access to their children’s prescription records. . . . Atrium did say a parent or guardian can still call the doctor’s office to discuss any concerns about their child’s health. That decision is not sitting well with many people, including Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the NC Values Coalition."

4. N&O: Now that NC has new districts, who’s running for Congress? What we know so far

"As soon as North Carolina’s lawmakers approved a congressional map, incumbents began declaring their intentions for the 2024 elections. And challengers began making clear who they would run against."

5. QUEEN CITY NEWS: CMS Committee votes to remove book for adult content

"A Charlotte Mecklenburg Media Advisory Committee has voted to remove a book from the district’s library while retaining two other titles. The committee is made up of parents, staff, media specialists, and teachers who decided A Court of Frost and Starlight was too mature for the high school library and lacked educational value. Bookshelves are becoming a battlefield in Charlotte Mecklenburg schools."

Weekly Prayer: Life

LORD, we recognize that you are Sovereign over all creation. We recognize you made man from the dust, and in your mercy, you crowned creation with man and woman made in your image. What a wonder it is that you would bestow upon us this blessing and responsibility!

LORD, may we not take this blessing for granted. We pray that this great responsibility and dignity may motivate us to love You, our neighbors, and our families more. LORD, may we as a culture truly see and believe that children are a blessing from the LORD—born or unborn; able or disabled. All children should have an opportunity to experience the liberty of life. LORD, make us your vehicle to change our culture into one that cherishes and protects life. Keep at the forefront of our minds our responsibilities to respect, cherish, and serve the youngest and oldest in our society.

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.'" (Matthew 18:1-6)

Amen

Will you chip in $100, $50, $25, or even $10 to help the NC Values Coalition continue to fight for your rights? You can donate by clicking here.

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Sincerely,

Tami & Team
NC Values