How Do I Start an FCH Group?
In Future Christian Homemakers, you have an opportunity to become a "Titus 2" woman and teach younger women to be homemakers. An FCH group could include your daughter and a few of her friends, a group of girls from your church, a homeschool group, girls in your neighborhood, or a group of young moms. More than ever, children and young women need mentors who will take a sincere interest in them and teach them life skills and Biblical values.

Start with a small group, perhaps just 4 or 5 girls. Set a regular time and place to meet. Seek a couple volunteers to help.

Read "The Future Christian Homemakers' Handbook" and decide which activities you would like to do with your group.

The FCH program is flexible! You can do the lessons in the Handbook, or use your favorite recipes. How about a casserole you enjoy, or a special cake recipe? Make that with your group. Can you crochet, knit, or do you enjoy sewing items for your home? Whatever homemaking skills you know, teach them to the girls, and ask other women to share their skills.

Plan one cooking or sewing activity per class. Make copies of the recipe or sewing instructions for each girl and help them complete the activity. Check the Handbook for more details.

It is truly a privilege and a joy to teach these precious girls. They have a wonderful time in Future Christian Homemakers, and so will you!

Send us an e-mail and tell us about your group. If you have recipes to share, or simple sewing projects others might enjoy, please send them and we'll share them on the website. We'd love to see pictures of your group in action, too!

When did Future Christian Homemakers begin?
FCH began at Sunrise Community Evangelical Free Church in Atlantic Beach, FL in 1998. A dozen girls, ages 10-14, met once a month to cook, sew, and learn other homemaking skills.

Who teaches FCH?
Laurie Latour, FCH founder, teaches a class with help from some wonderful ladies who volunteer on a regular basis. Although the class is currently full, the FCH Handbook is written so women in other churches, homeschool co-ops, or mothers can teach their own children.

Where do you meet?
I prefer meeting in my home, but you can meet in a church or other facility. It is helpful to demonstrate homemaking skills in a home setting. The activities are planned so they could be carried out in most home kitchens.

How often does FCH meet?
My group meets one Saturday afternoon a month during the school year. Family schedules are already busy and we did not want to interfere with family time. Groups in other locations may choose to meet when it is convenient for them.

How long are the classes?
We meet from 1:00 - 4:30. That gives plenty of time to complete the activity and clean up. Some activities could be completed in less time. Other, longer sewing projects, can be done over two or three sessions. You set the time to best suit your needs.

What is the cost?
The only charge for FCH is a materials fee; currently that is $35 for 8 lessons. The fee covers the cost of cooking ingredients and fabric for small projects. For larger projects, girls sometimes provide fabric. All girls have their own sewing basket with basic supplies and bring a portable sewing machine when needed for a lesson.

At what age may girls join FCH?
Most of the lessons are planned for girls who are in third grade or above. However, with extra help, younger girls can participate. The FCH Handbook contains such a wide range of activities that you will find something for girls of all ages. Most years, my classes include girls from 9 - 14 years old. It varies from year to year.

What do the girls learn?
Girls need to know the basics of cooking, sewing, and housekeeping. Someday they will have a family and home of their own to care for and they should be able to prepare a meal, plan a menu, write a grocery list, do basic sewing to maintain clothing and family belongings, and keep the house clean. The FCH Handbook contains 12 chapters of cooking lessons with both teacher and student pages. These lessons include related skills such as setting the table, manners, writing a menu, and planning nutritious meals. The homemaking section includes lessons on doing the laundry and cleaning the house. Web resources are listed where you can find free basic sewing projects for children. Devotionals are included to provide sound Biblical instruction.

Questions? Please contact us. We'd love to hear from you!