A committee has been working diligently since the spring to get the Family Christian Learning Center up and running. We did receive several grants; the largest coming from the Texas Methodist Foundation in the amount of $21,028. We are in the process of ordering curriculum materials and related activities for a late January, early February start.
As with any new program and limited funds, we are trying to be very discerning in our purchases until we “get our feet on the ground.” Some of you have asked how you can help. It would be great if, as many of you as would like, would sponsor materials for a child or buy a book for the learning center in honor or memory of someone. Several have already purchased and donated in lieu of a gift at Christmas. Book plates have been created to place in the front of each book to honor a friend or family member.
Below is the list of books that have been purchased, so we can avoid duplications. This is such an exciting time in the life of our church as we step out in faith and follow our vision statement: “FUMC is a body of disciples growing in relationship with Jesus Christ committed to providing healing and wholeness to all God’s people.”
| BOOK | AUTHOR |
| ABC (Dr. Seuss) | |
| Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | Judith Viorst |
| Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? | Bill Martin Jr. |
| Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Spanish version) | Bill Martin Jr. |
| Christmas in the Manger | Nola Buck |
| God Gave Us Christmas | Lisa Tawn Bergren |
| God Made You Special (Veggie Tales) | |
| Good Night God | Holly Bea |
| Goodnight Moon | Margaret Wise Brown |
| Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (Child's Play) | |
| I Will Not Be Afraid | Michelle Adams |
| Jesus Lived Inside My Heart | Jill Roman Lord |
| Love You Forever | Robert Munsch |
| One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish (Dr. Seuss) | |
| Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? | Bill Mertin Jr. |
| The Christmas Story | Patricia Pingry |
| The Grouchy Ladybug | Eric Carle |
| The Very Busy Spider | Eric Carle |
| The Very Hungry Caterpillar | Eric Carle |
| The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Spanish version) | Eric Carle |
| Veggie Values: A Board Book Collection (VeggieTales) | |
| What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? | Steve Jenkins |
| Where the Wild Things Are | Maurice Sendak |
| Where the Wild Things Are (Spanish version) | Maurice Sendak |
| Who is Coming to Our House? | Joseph Slate |
| Curious George-Stories to Share | Margret and H. A. Rey |