OUR MISSIONS

First Christian is continuously working to support our Montagnard members’ successful integration into the mainstream US. This support has included informal tutoring for school-age children, Bible Study in remedial English, support for Habitat Homes built for and by members, and assistance with forms and red-tape for our families struggling with both the English language and our societal systems like the educational system necessary for survival here in the USA.

First Christian Church leaders are also offering support and advocacy on a national level to Montagnard families and relatives of our members who are still in Vietnam facing beatings, imprisonment, and multiple losses including loss of their land needed for survival, all for simply trying to gather to worship God.

Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Working with many partners, Week of Compassion responds to natural disasters, assists refugees and immigrants, and supports sustainable development in impoverished areas.  Week of Compassion is on the ground right now assisting victims of hurricanes in the U.S. as well as earthquake victims in Haiti and refugees in Afghanistan.

Because of our strong track record of support for Week of Compassion, First Christian Church is proud to be one of only 100 Disciples congregations to be invited to establish a Circle of Compassion Endowment Fund of at least $10,000 to help fund Week of Compassion in perpetuity.  Once established, distributions from the fund will be made annually to Week of Compassion in the name of First Christian Church, Charlotte.

Help FCC establish the fund:  www.easytithe.com/fccclt – select Circle of Compassion from fund options; drop a check in the offering box on

Sunday mornings, mark Circle of Compassion; or mail a check payable to the church in care of Financial Secretary, mark Circle of Compassion.

 

The ongoing COVID pandemic has exacerbated the need for household basics (kitchen utensils, pots, pans, dishes, silverware) as well as larger men’s and women’s clothing. Please consider donating and dropping off items at 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte. Hours: Tuesday- Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The need for food for families has only increased during the pandemic. FCC supports Loaves and Fishes in addition to the Dilworth Food Kitchen and our own Little Free Pantry. Please help Loaves and Fishes stock their shelves with items such as canned vegetables (low sodium), canned fruit (low sugar or juice-packed), cereal (low sugar), canned meat, canned or dry pastas, rice in 1-pound bags, corn muffin mix. No glass jars please. You may leave donations at the church office during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., weekdays, or in the marked boxes at the church entrance on Dilworth Road East when attending services, 11:00 a.m. Sundays. You may also make a financial donation at www.easytithe.com/fccclt (choose Loaves and Fishes) or mail a check to the church, mark “Loaves and Fishes”.

Local community support for high-poverty schools and their teachers. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about ways you can participate this year. (Annual)

Our congregation is part of the North American Pacific Asian Disciples of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offering opportunities for connection and advocacy for Asian communities of faith throughout the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The FCC Little Free Pantry is located on the edge of the church parking lot on East Boulevard and is relied upon by many people as a regular source of food and nutrition. Place non-perishable food in the pantry anytime, 24/7 – or drop off donations at the church office, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., weekdays. Healthy, easy-to-eat foods are especially needed, including natural peanut butter and jelly, saltine crackers, individually packaged nuts, dried or fresh fruit (apples, oranges), tuna, and chicken in pop-top cans or pouches. No milk or milk products, including shelf stable milk and puddings. You may also make a financial donation at www.easytithe.com/fccclt (choose Little Free Pantry) or mail a check to the church, mark “Little Free Pantry.”

(Volunteer Opportunity) –

Project Outpour is a non-profit, community mission to provide free mobile shower access to homeless persons without adequate or convenient access to shower facilities.  Providing a place for a shower, taken for granted by so many of us, supports an individual’s basic health and human dignity.

Project Outpour sets up its mobile shower unit in the FCC parking lot every Tuesday between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Four volunteers are needed each Tuesday, in two shifts.  Volunteers will help with set up, show guests available toiletry items and gather them for their use in a bin.  Volunteers will show hospitality and keep things running smoothly.  All supplies are furnished by Project Outpour.  Strict COVID protocols will be in place and enforced.  All work is outside and standing up; volunteers should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, and a mask at all times.

Volunteer at this link: https://tinyurl.com/bhsz78xc

FCC is a long-time supporter of J.H. Gunn Elementary and has donated a number of books to children who might otherwise not have access to books at home. The church is currently collecting school supplies from this Gunn Wish List: Expo markers to write on whiteboards and small erasers for whiteboards; wide-ruled composition notebooks without the wire; plastic folders; crayons Kindergarten and First Grade (8 colors, fat and normal size). You may also make a financial donation at www.easytithe.com/fccclt (choose J.H. Gunn School Supplies) or mail a check to the church, mark “J.H. Gunn School Supplies.”

Charlotte Bilingual Preschool prepares Latinx students and their parents (many of whom are immigrants with little or no English) for success in Charlotte public school and life.  Some of the countries they represent are the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela and the U.S.  Located in East Charlotte, this model program focuses on helping students by providing dual-language early childhood education. It supports students’ families with parenting, life skills and English language classes, enabling them to sustain and nurture their children’s educational and emotional development.

FCC is collecting donations for school supplies with a goal of $ 650. You may contribute at www.easytithe.com/fccclt (choose Charlotte Bilingual Preschool) or mail a check to the church, mark “Charlotte Bilingual Preschool.”