North United Methodist Church and its Hamilton Series will take up the urgent topic of America's lack of affordable housing on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the church, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. All are welcome to attend this free event, entitled "The Front Porch Factor: Let's Talk Housing."

The day will feature worship services, a luncheon, a keynote address, and a panel discussion to provide insight into possible solutions to the housing crisis in Marion County, the state of Indiana, and throughout America.

Fran Quigley, Indiana University McKinney School of Law clinical professor, will deliver the keynote address at 1 p.m. His talk will be followed by a solutions-oriented panel discussion.

That morning the Rev. John Edgar, author of "A Front Porch for All People," will be the guest preacher at both the 8:30 a.m. and the 11 a.m. worship services. He will be available during the Sunday school hour from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. to discuss his book and his work.

After the 11 a.m. service there will be a free luncheon in Fellowship Hall. A RSVP to events@northchurchindy.com by Friday, Nov. 1 is required for the luncheon.

The 11 a.m. service will be livestreamed; see the home page of NorthChurchIndy.com for easy access.

A longtime human rights activist, Quigley's expertise is in access to housing, evictions, sub-standard housing conditions, and renters'/tenants' rights.

He directs IU's Health and Human Rights Clinic. At the clinic, he and his students advocate for the human right to housing. They directly represent low-income people in eviction defense cases and pursue their right to safe and healthy housing conditions. They also promote policy changes to ensure all people have access to safe, affordable homes. He is the author of six books, including the forthcoming "Homes for All: What Eviction Court Taught Me About Fulfilling the Human Right to Housing."

Prior to his work at the law school he was the first chief of staff for Congresswoman Julia Carson and the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.

Edgar served as the executive director of Community Development for All People from its inception in 2003 until he retired in June 2022. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people living on the south side of Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past 17 years the corporation has developed $125 million worth of affordable housing. One of its initiatives, The Free Store, provides free clothing and household items to 20,000 people each year. It is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus. Edgar was that church's founding pastor. It is remarkably diverse and is comprised primarily of low-income people.

In retirement Edgar is serving as the part-time president of Columbus Housing Enterprise, a new non-profit organization to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing. It is acquiring apartment complexes valued at $100 million which will be operated to ensure the rents remain affordable for decades to come.

After the keynote address, Quigley and Edgar will be joined by David Bacon for a panel discussion moderated by John Hamilton.

Bacon is an attorney for Frost Brown Todd. He is a local community organizer with deep roots in the Indianapolis community. He is interim ceo of the Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation.

Hamilton was the mayor of Bloomington, Ind., from 2016 through 2023, and he is also the former secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

The Richard E. and Anna Lee Hamilton Series on Theology and Contemporary Issues brings speakers, seminars, and special musical events to North UMC on various issues.

The series was established in 2018 with a gift from the William E. Schmidt Foundation. It honors the lives and ministries of Dick and Anna Lee Hamilton at North UMC. Dick served as the senior pastor at North from 1974 through 1997 and was known for his work in the city and state on issues of social justice and Christian action. Anna Lee was a talented partner in ministry, adding her singing, teaching, and leadership skills to the church and wider community.

Additional support for the Hamilton Series is provided by Nick and Susan Blankenbaker Noyes and the Blankenbaker family, as well as gifts from individuals in memory of Dick and Anna Lee. North UMC and the Hamilton family are very grateful for these generous gifts, and they hope the public will enjoy these events offered free of charge.