Trinity Children's Center Celebrates 40 Years

Diana Smith, Director, Fort Worth, TX

     Forty years ago the members of Trinity Lutheran Church decided that a Mothers’ Day Out program was a good idea for their congregation.  As time went on, their focus shifted toward a half-day preschool program.

     When the eighties rolled around, the congregation saw a definite need in the community for Christian child care.  Having plenty of Sunday school classrooms available for sharing, Trinity Lutheran Children’s Center became licensed for child care in 1985.  The program offered preschool in the morning and child care in the afternoons. 

     Since more women began going to work full time in the nineties, the Center decided to offer full day, full time child care only.  This past summer we added one additional option for parents at the center …  infant care.

     In recognition of Trinity Children’s Center’s 40th birthday, the Center’s Board decided to do several celebratory events during the year.

     Our first event was held May 2 of this year.  Former students and staff were invited to attend our 10:30 worship service during which time Pastor Ron recognized the Children’s Center, its alumni, former teachers and our current students and staff.  Following worship we enjoyed musical selections sung by our students and led by Kindermusik director, Dr. Furr.

     A wonderful potluck lunch followed, supervised by our Congregational Life commission.  During lunch, our Children’s Center board chair recognized my fifteen years of service at the Center.  The event concluded with visiting old friends and looking at pictures. 

     The second event was titled “Peace, Love and Playgrounds” ... a combination celebration and fundraising event. 

     A delicious spaghetti supper was served for students, their families and friends and congregation members by our Congregational Life commission.  The church band, Luther’s Lounge Lizards, provided music while we dined.

      Another local band, the Dynamic Swing Machine, entertained everyone with their incredible Big Band sound. 

     The cost for the event was a freewill offering with matching funds from Thrivent to raise money for playground improvement.  By the end of the evening we had raised $8,000, including matching funds. 

     Our final event was held November 19.  Every year our Center has a Thanksgiving Feast for the kids and parents.  In the past our feast was held during the school day, but this year we feasted on a Friday evening and opened the dinner to extended family.  Several family-oriented activities followed dinner such as face painting, pumpkin painting, and a petting zoo.  We hope to make the Friday night event an annual affair, inviting congregational participation next year. 

Diana Smith is the director at Trinity Lutheran Children’s Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and can be reached at Diana@tlcw.org or at 817-732-8522.

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