DES MOINES — One million books and a million hours of reading with children – that’s the goal of Iowa United Methodists in the next two years in a new initiative called, “Change a Child’s Story.”
Nearly 20 percent of Iowa’s United Methodist churches have already committed to the effort. More than 1,000 books have been collected and individual and organizational partnerships are already forming.
Some 1,600 lay and clergy, representing Iowa Conference’s congregations and their 175,000 members, unanimously endorsed the effort to make a difference in the lives of Iowa children at the recent statewide meeting.
“Almost anyone can read to a child and help that child to read back to them,” said the Rev. Clint Twedt-Ball of the Poverty to Opportunity task force, created last year to help identify ways the church can lead and facilitate anti-poverty measures.
He said “providing kids living in poverty with books seemed like a good start,” but the idea goes far beyond collecting books and giving them away.
“This is something that we all can be a part of – changing a child’s life by helping a child to be able to read,” said Iowa United Methodist Bishop Julius C. Trimble. “It’s not about politics. It’s about a passion for children and closing the gap between those who are in poverty and those who succeed in the educational journey of life.”
More information is available on the Iowa Conference website: www.iaumc.org/povertytoopportunity. Video of the Poverty to Opportunity task force presentation is available at: https://vimeo.com/130565786.