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. <[link removed]>



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! <[link removed]>







<[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>



1. NC VALUES: Parental Bill of Rights legislation would “lift veil of secrecy” in public schools















From our recent press release: “We want the veil of secrecy to be lifted in public schools so parents can know what their children are being taught, and about any significant mental, emotional, or physical health changes,” said NC Values Executive Director Tami Fitzgerald. “In recent years, government bureaucrats and unions have pushed to exclude parents from the educational process, but parents are tired of the secrecy and are demanding their rights be restored.”



For more information, check out this article from the News & Observer <[link removed]>.



Read our full press release at: [link removed]



<[link removed]>



2. N&O: NC House Republican bill would restrict gender-affirming treatment for minors















"Ward told The News & Observer Wednesday that for the sponsors of the bill, 'the consensus was that juveniles, those under the age of 18, should not have gender-affirming surgeries or hormone treatments that should be reserved for those that are adults to make that decision. And that’s really the basis of the bill,' he said."



Read more: [link removed]









<[link removed]>



3. AXIOS RALEIGH: North Carolina Republicans weigh their next abortion move



“State of play: Republicans in each chamber have honed in on two potential proposals: One that would restrict abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which Republican House Speaker Tim Moore has publicly backed, and another that would ban them after the first trimester, which Senate leader Phil Berger supports.



Both leaders are in favor of exceptions for incest, rape and the life of the mother. Incest and rape exceptions are not currently in place with the 20-week ban. The big picture: Internal debates over the issue are also unfolding as North Carolina gains national attention for another aspect of the abortion rights fight.”



Also check out this Washington Post article <[link removed]>, which notes "At the center of the effort are a handful of Democratic legislators with a history of voting for antiabortion legislation and who could now provide the GOP with enough votes to override a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper (D). That group, which includes two pastors of predominantly-Black Baptist churches, is facing pressure from both sides. 'I lay down with it, I wake up with it,' said Democratic state Rep. Garland Pierce, who leads the congregation at Bright Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Laurinburg, N.C. 'When you reach deep down you want to be sure you’re doing the right thing.'



The showdown in North Carolina reflects similar efforts underway in several conservative states that have become destinations for post-Roeabortion care."







Read more: [link removed]















<[link removed]> <[link removed]>



4. AP DILLON: "Edcamp Equity" returns in Wake County 



“An event called Edcamp Equity is returning to Wake County for the first time since being put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic.



In the past, EdCamp Equity has featured sessions on ’whiteness in Ed spaces,’ gender ideology, antiracist training, microaggressions, and getting around parent pushback.



The 2020 ‘Whiteness in Ed Spaces’ session included a discussion about how not letting parents - specifically white parents - ‘deter the work’ with a direct reference to Critical Race Theory.”



Read more: [link removed]















<[link removed]>



5. CAROLINA JOURNAL, OP-ED: Laura Macklem—"With all races, parties supporting school choice, now is the time to act"



"A new statewide poll by N.C. Values Coalition and N.C. Faith & Freedom Coalition, conducted by Differentiators Data, found that across political and racial spectrums, North Carolina voters overwhelmingly support funding alternatives to public education. When asked if opportunity scholarships should be expanded to all parents allowing parents to send their children to private schools, 69% of respondents said yes. Black respondents agreed at 69%; 80% of Hispanics, 80% of Asians and 69% percent of white voters agreed. Predictably, Republican respondents had the highest approval rates for expansion, at 87%, but 55% of Democrats and 66% of unaffiliated voters also wanted Opportunity Scholarship expansion.



A majority of black voters gave support to equally funding charter and traditional public schools, at 51%, with Asian, Hispanic and white voters a couple points behind. Of unaffiliated voters, 47% wanted equally disbursed funding, and nearly 68% of Republicans wanted the same.



The school choice issue could be a winner for 2024 elections in North Carolina, especially considering the rapid uptick of unaffiliated voters, a coveted group which swings elections in this state"



Read more: [link removed] <[link removed]>

















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.



Finally, LORD, we pray even further for our children. Across our state, country, and world, an entire generation of youth have seen their lives and education ruptured by the pandemic and its closing of schools. Father, as a result so many of these children are not only wounded by the quality of their education, but by a likely onslaught of mental illness brought about by social isolation. LORD, bring them hope and healing as only You can.



"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. <[link removed]> <[link removed]>



<[link removed]>donate <[link removed]>





Sincerely,





Tami & Team

NC Values



<[link removed]>











-=-=-

NC Values Coalition - 9650 Strickland Rd, Suite 103-226, Raleigh, NC 27615-1902, United States

This email was sent to [email protected]. To stop receiving emails: [link removed]

-=-=-



Created with NationBuilder - [link removed]