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 six 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. 

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Sent on the second Friday of the month. This newsletter focuses on the outreach and advocacy work of First Presbyterian. 

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Homelessness + Housing

Housing stability is a crucial part of upward mobility. What are the challenges in Charlotte, and how can we address them?

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Plowshares Book Group

Through discussions of challenging books, we hope to learn more about the needs in our community while deepening our relationships.

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Equity in Education

Quality education provides opportunities to move out of poverty. What are the barriers to equitable access and how can we remove them?

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EarthCare TaskForce

Climate Change is among the largest challenges ever faced by humanity. We must mitigate its effects by addressing the root cause.

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Racial Justice

Racial Justice is the active endorsement of policies and ideas, by individuals and institutions that lead to racial equity.  

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Gun Violence Prevention

As followers of Christ, we can support initiatives to reduce gun violence and lessen its impact on our neighbors in Charlotte.

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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.

Topic

Type of Resource

Time Requirement

Reset

Article

“Out of Reach,” from Roof Above’s 2×4 Newsletter

Housing & Homelessness

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) just released their annual report on the state of affordable housing nationwide, “Out of Reach 2024: The High Cost of Housing.” The numbers from the report that stand out for me? • The Area Median Income (AMI) for Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia households is $106,000. Six figures! Households at AMI can afford a monthly rent of $2,650. • While the average 2-bedroom unit in Mecklenburg rents for $1,554, affordable monthly rent for households at 30% AMI and under – the neighbors we serve at Roof Above — is $795.

Less than 5 minutes

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Article

Beyond the Ranking: Deeper Lessons from Charlotte’s New Economic Mobility Data, The Charlotte Observer Op Ed

Housing & Homelessness

Highlights and takeaways for Charlotte and the country from the 10 year update on the Chetty Study on Upward Mobility.

5-10 minutes

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Podcast/Audio File

Faith Unfiltered: A Conversation About Gun Violence

Gun Violence Prevention

Did you know that gun violence is the leading cause of death among American children and teens? An estimated 4.6 million children live in a home where a gun is loaded and unlocked. Every day, more than 300 people are directly impacted by gun violence in the United States. Gun Violence Awareness Month was created to draw attention to this tragic reality and demand life-saving change. Listen to Rev. Pen Peery and Director of Formation Garrell Keesler discuss this topic on our podcast.

10-30 minutes

Listen

Book

The First Ladies

Racial Justice

"A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian."

60+ minutes

Learn More

Podcast/Audio File

She made civil rights history in Selma. Now, she guides visitors through its past

Racial Justice

Meet the "bossy grandmother," a civil rights foot soldier who was 11 when she crossed the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma in 1963.

10-30 minutes

Listen

Article

Being Antiracist

Racial Justice

A comprehensive article with strategies about why and how to strive to be antiracist. From the National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

10-30 minutes

Read More

Showing 7-12 of 14 results

News

Updates and information directly from the Advocacy Committee.   

Advocacy Focus: Civil Rights Trip

Have you ever walked across a bridge that played a major role in our history? Or witnessed the anguish still present today in a person who was brutally attacked by police and firemen when they were young? Have you ever thought about what those four young girls were...
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A Beacon of Hope

Make a Home a Reality this Easter updated April 29, 2024 Homeownership is one of the best ways to create family stability and generational wealth, yet it’s out of reach for most Charlotteans. Today, teachers and social service providers like nurses, police officers,...
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Advocacy Ministry Focus: Anti-Racism

First Presbyterian’s history dates back to 1821, when the small town of Charlotte (yes, Charlotte was once considered a small town!) set aside a plot of land for the creation of a town church. The church’s 203 years spanned a number of racial periods: from the Civil...
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Lack of Affordable Housing is Uprooting Teachers and Families at Westerly Hills

In March of 2023, the Session created an Affordable Housing Strategy Team with the goal of bringing a recommendation to help our church address one of our city’s most pressing needs—the lack of affordable housing in our city.  Housing cost increases have outpaced...
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Triptych

Use the links below to navigate to a triptych topic. Repentance and Resurrection Statement Artist's Statement     Repentance and Resurrection Statement Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?  Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your...
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FPC Senior Pastors

• Robert Hall Morrison • Abner Johnson Leavenworth • Cyrus Johnston • Arnold DeWelles Miller • Alexander Sinclair • John Alexander Preston • James Robert Howerton • William Morris Kincaid • David Hopkins Rolston • Albert Sidney Johnson • William Addison Alexander, Jr....
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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...
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