Ready With
a Hand

June & Mabel Porter Chili Supper

The annual chili supper is one of Advent’s traditional events and is held in January.  This “double header” begins with Mabel’s delicious chili prepared by Social Ministry, followed by a UNCC 49ers game across the street.  A free will donation is requested and the money raised is donated to an agency or family in need. 

Sandwich Ministry

If you come to Advent on any Tuesday afternoon throughout the year, you’re likely to notice friendly faces making egg salad sandwiches in the kitchen.  Our sandwich ministry is a long-running program that provides lunch once a week for our neighbors at Urban Ministry Center. Many volunteers participate in various aspects of this ministry: assembling the 300+ egg salad sandwiches each Tuesday, purchasing fresh bread each week, overseeing the purchase of eggs and condiments, and delivering the sandwiches on Wednesday mornings   You can support this ministry by volunteering or making a donation.

Room in the Inn

Since 2001, Advent has participated in the city-wide “Room In the Inn” winter homeless shelter program.  Members from Advent, Newell Presbyterian, Harrisburg Methodist and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church work together to provide a safe and welcoming space for our neighbors in addition to providing dinner, breakfast, and a bag lunch. Our youth also lead a prayer service. This partnership keeps 14 men, women and children off cold city streets and exposes them to the love of God once each week from December through March.

Email Caroline Grubb  for more information.

Bags to Beds

Most Tuesdays, ‘Bags to Beds’ volunteers cut grocery bags, roll them into ‘plarn’ and crochet the plastic ‘yarn’ into 6 foot sleeping mats.  They sit, they chat, they watch a movie and they turn 500 plastic grocery bags into a single sleeping mat which will be given to the homeless.  All can participate – even if you can’t crochet, you can cut or donate plastic bags

Email Jennie Henderson for more information.

Hit The Streets

Most Sunday afternoons, year-round, a group of people hit the streets of uptown Charlotte pulling wagons filled with food, snacks, drinks, socks and many other items.  Their goal is to help the homeless by providing them basic needs and a friendly smile.

Email Jennie Henderson for more information.

“Advent Has Heart” Bags

This food drive collects donations of food items that fit in a gallon size plastic bag. Each bag contains a simple meal and includes a heartfelt encouraging message along with a list of Charlotte resources.

Many congregation members carry these bags in their cars and give them to anyone they see who may need a meal and encouragement.

Email Sharon Thrower for more information.

Advent Mini-Pantry and Local Food Needs

Advent has a small food pantry available for those who drop by the church seeking food assistance.  Advent members purchase and donate “Food of the Month” items to keep the pantry supplied. The food is distributed between the mini-pantry and local food groups.

The CROP Walk

Charlotte has been the home of the nation’s largest CROP WALK for years and celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2018.  Advent has always been a major supporter. The 3.6 mile walk brings the community together to raise support for those who would otherwise go hungry.  Twenty-five percent of all funds raised stay here in Mecklenburg County, benefiting Crisis Assistance Ministry, Loaves & Fishes and Second Harvest Food Bank. The remaining money is used by Church World Service to provide hunger education, disaster relief and self-help projects throughout the world. 

Advent has been recognized as the top congregation in its size category for number of walkers and money raised. 

Email Jennie Henderson for more information.

Christmas in July

We have a backpack drive near the end of summer, complete with a “Giving Tree” to capture the spirit of Christmas mid-year.  Advent members select a tag and purchase a book bag filled with a variety of school supplies for needy children as they prepare to head back to school.

Galilee Center

Several members volunteer weekly at the Galilee Center which serves as a meeting place for refugees, immigrants, and other residents of the city.  There are numerous opportunities for volunteers, especially for retirees or stay at home parents, between 9am and 1pm weekdays. Also needed are handymen, gardeners, and folks who would like to make friends with people from all over the world. Donations of food, school supplies, household goods are welcome.

Email Galilee for more information.

Neighbors’ Ministry

A group of members provide transportation to worship and church events, and provide occasional emergency support services to a group of Advent friends and members who are homeless or near homeless. Our goal is to share God’s radical love with all. Many of those assisted have become active participants in the life of the church and participate in activities with us. 

McCreesh Place – Supportive Housing

McCreesh provides permanent supportive housing for those who are overcoming homelessness.  Priority is to provide housing for people with medical, physical and mental disabilities and histories of substance abuse.  Advent provides meals for residents regularly.

Email Caroline Grubb  for more information.

Urban Ministry Center – Charlotte 

Several members participate in programs at Charlotte Urban Ministry, which provides services for those who are homeless. Charlotte Urban Ministry’s goal is to end homelessness, one person at a time.

See a full list of volunteer opportunities on their website.

Mission in Peru: Serving Alto Cayma  

A major outreach goal for Advent has been achieved in recent years through visits and support to Alto Cayma in Peru.  This ministry is supported through birthday parties, “adopting” an elderly resident or youth, and through providing educational opportunities for residents.   An annual dinner is held at Advent each fall.   The leader of the mission, Jim Hintz, spends part of his year in Alto Cayma and part in Charlotte.

Email Jim Hintz for a newsletter.

The Giving Tree

Kairos Prison Ministry