It’s that time again at Community UMC — the friendliest (and fiercest 😉) competition of the year!

Our staff has officially entered the ring for CUMC Reads, each sharing one of their favorite children’s books to kick off our annual board book drive for A Book Ahead. And yes… there’s an award on the line. Bragging rights. Glory. Possibly dramatic acceptance speeches.

Here’s where YOU come in.

Head to the CUMC Reads webpage, watch each staff video, and vote for your favorite. You can vote online or grab a paper ballot from the church office or the Revelation Room. Around here, voting is wildly encouraged and joyfully unregulated — vote for your favorite, vote for multiple favorites, vote a bunch of times, vote because someone made you laugh, vote because someone got emotional, vote because you just love a good underdog story. Stuffing the ballot box? YES PLEASE.

Just whatever you do… don’t miss out on voting. Half the fun is cheering on your favorites!

While you’re enjoying the stories, don’t forget why we’re doing this. We’re collecting new board books for

A Book Ahead, whose mission to promote early literacy blesses the children of our community in

powerful, lasting ways. You can drop off new board book donations in the narthex, the

Revelation Room, or the church office. The website also has a list of recommended titles if

you’d like ideas. So grab some coffee, listen to a few stories, cast those votes, and consider

donating a book or two. This is one of the most joy-filled, laugh-filled traditions we share as a staff —

and it becomes even better when our whole church family joins in.

Trust us… if you don’t vote, you’re missing out on the fun.