Advocacy Ministry
The Advocacy Committee seeks to help First Presbyterian learn about the challenges facing our neighbors in Charlotte and to inform the congregation about opportunities for addressing those challenges, both individually and as a church.
Our four main areas of advocacy are listed below. You can click into each topic page to learn more about each. We also have a searchable resources section for you to learn on your own time.
Homelessness + Housing
Housing stability is a crucial part of upward mobility. What are the challenges in Charlotte, and how can we address them?
Plowshares Book Group
Through discussions of challenging books, we hope to learn more about the needs in our community while deepening relationships with each other.
Equity in Education
Quality education provides opportunities to move out of poverty. What are the barriers to equitable access and how can we help remove them?
Climate Change
Our newest subcommittee seeks to foster faithful responses to the challenges of climate change. It is currently identifying goals and priorities for the coming year.
Anti-Racism
Anti-racism is the active endorsement of policies and ideas, by individuals and institutions that lead to racial equity.
Resources
We want to understand challenges, amplify voices, explore opportunities, and take action within our community. Below is a list of resources to help you learn and grow.
Christians Must Accept that Charity Is Not Justice
NC school test results are in. How did CMS students fare during the pandemic?
Why Are Cities (Still) So Expensive? from Freakonomics Podcast
Many Teens Report Emotional and Physical Abuse by Parents During Lockdown
Addressing the Benefits Cliff: An Anchor or a Ladder
Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado
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News
Updates and information directly from the Advocacy Committee.
A Culture of Care
Nov. 2020 marked the 20 year anniversary of our partnership with Westerly Hills Academy. To honor this milestone, we established a food pantry at the school. The project was recently featured in the CMS Foundation yearbook.
Mixed Income Developments Panel
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a mixed income housing development? Are you curious as to how developers make the financials work, particularly in areas like Uptown where land costs are high? This panel discussion answers these questions and more about the challenges and successes of mixed income housing. FPC members […]
Urgent Volunteer Needs
Listed below are our most urgent volunteer opportunities. Additional needs and ways to be involved are available on the subcommittee pages.
Roof Above
Homelessness + Housing
Make and fill soup cups and assemble lunch bags to be picked up by visitors at their College Street campus.
Tutor a Child
Equity + Education
The following programs partner with the school, providing curriculum, training, and coordinators to support volunteers. Sign up on these pages: Heart Math Tutoring, Read Charlotte, Augustine Literacy Project.
Food Pantry Support
Equity + Education
Provide for the pantry at Westerly Hills Academy on a monthly basis or serve on the team that delivers food to the school.
Have Questions?
We’d love to answer them for you.
Please reach out to the Advocacy Committee through the button below.