Gateway District Summer Literacy Programs lift up young learners at Branch Street, Pleasant Grove, and Pembroke First UMC
This summer, three United Methodist congregations in the Gateway District opened their doors—and their hearts—to young readers. Branch Street UMC and Pleasant Grove UMC launched their first Summer Literacy Programs (SLPs), while Pembroke First UMC marked year six, sharing partners and hard-won wisdom. Together, these ministries created spaces where children practiced essential skills, grew in confidence, and discovered the joy of reading—surrounded by caring adults and a supportive church family. Each church targeted rising 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students.
Each day blended joy and rigor: morning welcomes, read-alouds, small-group instruction, and hands-on learning with tablets. Students strengthened phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension, and learned to talk about what they read and why it matters. Volunteers, teachers, and church members served as one team, making sure every child felt seen, supported, and safe.
Unforgettable moments helped learning stick. Students climbed into a helicopter cockpit—eyes bright, questions flying—turning curiosity into new vocabulary and background knowledge. A local author read her book aloud, modeling expression and pacing while showing that stories begin in ordinary places with ordinary people. On rugs and classroom floors, students applied skills with age-appropriate apps and celebrated milestones as they leveled up.
While Branch Street and Pleasant Grove were new hosts, their launches were anything but tentative. Small churches can do big things—especially together. Pembroke First’s experience offered a living blueprint, from schedules and center rotations to volunteer training and family touchpoints. That mentoring spirit—neighbors helping neighbors—helped every site find its footing quickly.
Community support made the difference. Church members donated supplies, served as volunteers, and provided snacks and meals so students could focus on learning. Where food costs can be reimbursed, every dollar saved will be reinvested directly into student learning and volunteer support. Grants and local gifts underwrote books, materials, and technology—turning faithful intentions into tangible tools for growth.
Looking ahead, all three churches will build on what worked: strong relationships, structured instruction, and a welcoming, worshipful environment. Branch Street and Pleasant Grove are identifying volunteer leaders for next year; Pembroke First will keep refining best practices and sharing them openly.
If you’d like to help—by volunteering, providing snacks, donating books, or offering financial support—please reach out. We are grateful for support from The Duke Endowment, the Blue Foundation, and the NC Rural Center, and for teaching support from UNC’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the American Institutes for Research. Your partnership helps every child in the Gateway District experience the steady, transformative power of reading—and the steadfast love of a church that believes in them.
Submitted by Rev. Mattheue Locklear, Pastor, First UMC (Pembroke)