The purpose of this summit is to inform, educate and inspire those involved in leading or participating in a C4C church/school partnership. Whether you are already involved in C4C or you are in the process of considering it for your church, you will find this event helpful.
C4C churches help children living in poverty by:
- Improving K-3 literacy
- Providing for basic needs
- Helping to increase parent involvement
This year’s Summit program will include an overview of the Congregations For Children Initiative; practical tips on things your church can do; helpful insights from expert guest speakers (see bios below); time for interaction and discussion, helpful reference materials and yes lunch.
You will also have an opportunity to hear from and meet Bishop Ward as well as a number of our conference C4C leaders.
All NC Conference churches are encouraged to send at least one representative to this summit but groups are also welcome.
Guest Speakers
Jon David is the District Attorney of Brunswick, Bladen and Columbus counties and Kathy Oliver is a literacy specialist and coordinator of Brunswick County’s B.E.S.T. For Kids initiative. B.E.S.T. for Kids (Brunswick Early Success Team) is the combined effort of leaders from county government, business, faith-based, non-profit, and higher education. These leaders recently worked in partnership with Brunswick County School leaders to develop this special community-wide program which supports literacy development in the early grades. Jon and Kathy will discuss tips on engaging community assets around literacy, as well as the benefits of utilizing the phonics based Letterland literacy curriculum. View a brief video about the B.E.S.T. For Kids Initiative.
Mandy Ableidinger is the Policy & Practice Leader for NC Early Childhood Foundation. Mandy will be discussing how the The NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Project is creating partnerships among the state’s early learning and education, public agency, policy, philanthropic and business leaders to address the issue of early childhood development and literacy. Mandy will be sharing some ideas regarding ways in which our UMC churches can support the project.
Leslie Boney is the Director of NC State University’s Institute for Emerging Issues. Leslie leads the Institute’s efforts to identify key issues of importance to the state and will be discussing a program known as KidsReadyNC. KidsReadyNC aims to bring together enthusiastic, multi-stakeholder teams from the state’s Tier 1 and 2 counties who are not currently engaged in significant new efforts but are interested in committing to improvement in the health and development outcomes of their young children.
Watch C4C Success Story Videos:
Harbor United Methodist Church – Giving Tree
Seaside United Methodist Church – STARS
Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church – Read & Feed
Ellerbe United Methodist Church & First United Methodist Church – The Rock
