Dear Jack,

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. NC VALUES: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from all of us at NC Values. As we step into a new year, we do so with gratitude and hope—trusting the Lord who sustains us and makes all things new.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)

2. YOU'RE INVITED: Stand for Women’s Sports at the Supreme Court

Join us for a free, one-day trip to Washington, DC  as we rally on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court  during oral arguments in State of West Virginia v.  B.P.J.—a pivotal case defending fairness and safety  in women’s sports.

We’re inviting supporters to start the new year by  standing strong for biological reality and protecting  girls’ and women’s opportunities in athletics. Buses  will depart early on January 13 and return later that  day after scheduled activities. There is no cost to  attend.

Why this matters:

West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act was  passed to uphold Title IX’s promise of equal  opportunity by ensuring women and girls are not  forced to compete against males. After the law was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union, Alliance Defending Freedom intervened to defend the law. The Supreme Court now has the opportunity to restore clarity and fairness nationwide.

What to expect:

- Free bus transportation to and from DC

- Peaceful rally outside the Supreme Court

- A meaningful way to take an actual stand for women’s sports

Based on interest, we may charter multiple buses across the state. Please fill out the form below if you’re interested in joining us and receiving more information: https://ncvalues.org/dc

NC Values led the fight in 2023 to pass the Fairness in Women's Sports bill in North Carolina, which is now law in our state, just like West Virginia.  We have filed several Amicus Briefs in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court to defend West Virginia's law, because we know that the decision in this case will either uphold our strike down our Women's Sports law.

3. CBS17: NC to Officially Recognize Sex as Male and Female This Week

"Starting this week, sex in North Carolina will be defined only as male and female. It’s part of a law that’s already in effect, but this specific provision goes into effect on Thursday, with the start of the new year.

The provision in House Bill 805 defines sex as only male and female and says those definitions should be based on biological sex, not gender ideology. The bill says gender identity 'Shall not be treated as legally or biologically equivalent to sex.'"

Read more: https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/nc-to-officially-recognize-sex-as-male-and-female-this-week/

For more on this story, check out this ABC11 article we were quoted in.

NC Values led the fight to get HB805 passed, so that male and female would be defined throughout our laws based on biology, science and the truth.

4. WORLD: Parents vs. Explicit Books

"When the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month declined to hear Little v. Llano County, in which patrons sued a Texas library for removing objectionable books, parental rights advocates hailed it as a win. In the case, a federal appeals court ruled the U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee access to specific library books, thus libraries are free to choose not to shelve books with explicit or objectionable material.

But although the Supreme Court let the lower court ruling stand, the legal wrangling over so-called book bans isn’t over. While Little sets an important legal precedent, at the end of 2025, several cases are ongoing that will keep the book controversies in the headlines and continue to shape the legal landscape."

Read more: https://wng.org/roundups/parents-vs-explicit-books-1767047725

5. CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC Ranks 4th in National Charter School Growth

"North Carolina has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing states for public charter school enrollment, even as traditional district schools face stable or slightly declining student populations.

According to the newly released National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) 2025 Enrollment Brief, North Carolina added 31,315 charter students between the 2019–20 and 2024–25 school years, a 26.4% increase, ranking the state fourth nationally behind Texas, Florida, and California."

Read more: https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-ranks-4th-in-national-charter-school-growth/

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)

Sincerely,

Tami & Team

NC Values